Glossary

Body language

How a cat shows mood and intent through its tail, ears, eyes, whiskers, posture and fur.

Also called: cat body language, cat communication, reading your cat, cat posture

Cats communicate mostly with their bodies, and you can learn to read them. The whole cat matters more than any one signal, so look at tail, ears, eyes, whiskers, posture and fur together.

A relaxed, friendly cat has soft eyes, ears in a natural forward or sideways position, a loosely held tail or one carried upright and a body that moves easily. Slow blinks are a sign of trust, see slow blink. An alert or curious cat points its ears forward, opens its eyes wide and may fan the whiskers out.

Signals of fear or stress include ears flattened or turned sideways, wide eyes with big pupils, a tucked tail, a low crouch, the whiskers pressed back and fur standing up, see piloerection. An angry or cornered cat may hiss, growl, swat or stare hard.

Pay attention to changes. A cat that suddenly hides, sits hunched, holds its ears back all the time or does not groom could be in pain, so mention it to your vet. Always give a tense cat space, and never pull a frightened one out of hiding.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Tail language What the position and movement of a cat's tail reveal about its mood, from a friendly upright tail to a lashing one. Piloerection The upright bristling of a cat's fur, most often a sign of fear or arousal, which makes the cat look larger. Slow blink A relaxed half-closed blink that cats use to signal comfort and goodwill, and that people can return. Hissing A sharp, breathy warning sound a frightened or angry cat makes to tell another animal or person to back off. Whiskers The long, stiff, touch-sensitive hairs on a cat's muzzle, brows, chin and forelegs that help it sense nearby objects and air movement.

Related guides

Biting and swatting: play, fear and pain Why cats bite and swat, how to tell play, fear, redirected and pain-related aggression apart, what to do in the moment and when a vet or specialist is needed. Choosing and using a cat carrier What to look for in a cat carrier, how to train a cat to accept it, how to use it in the car and at the vet, and why cardboard and bags fall short. How to pick up and carry a cat How to lift and hold a cat so it feels secure, when not to pick a cat up, why scruffing is discouraged, and how to carry a frightened or sick cat. How to introduce a cat and a dog How to introduce a cat and a dog safely: separate spaces, scent, a leash and a barrier, short calm sessions, escape routes and signs the match will not work. How to introduce a new cat to your cat A step-by-step plan for introducing a new cat to a resident cat: separate rooms, scent swaps, first sight, short meetings, and when to slow down. Living with more than one cat How to introduce a new cat, share space and resources, read tension early and keep several cats calm in one home.