How to read a cat's body language

Cats show what they feel with their whole body. Look at the ears, eyes, tail, whiskers, posture and sound together, then at what is happening around the cat. One signal on its own can mislead. A group of signals tells you whether a cat is relaxed, curious, uneasy or afraid, and whether to approach, wait or give space.

Cats are quieter than dogs in many ways. They often hide pain and fear. Learning the small signals lets you act before a cat bites, hides or becomes ill from stress. The glossary entry on body language gives the short version. This guide shows how to use it.

Start with the whole picture

Before you look at details, ask three questions.

1. Where is the cat? A cat on a high shelf, under a bed, in a corner or at a door may be seeking safety.
2. What just happened? A loud noise, a stranger, another animal or a new smell explains many reactions.
3. How is the body held? A cat that looks big and upright, or small and tight, is saying something before you read the details.

Ears

Ears move to catch sound and to show mood.

• Forward and upright: alert and interested, or relaxed and content.
• Swivelling: listening to several sounds. The cat is checking its surroundings.
• Sideways or "airplane" ears: unsure, nervous or irritated.
• Flat against the head: fear, anger or readiness to fight.
• Back with a twitching skin on the back: irritation.

Eyes

Eyes change with light and emotion.

• Soft, half-closed eyes and slow blinks: relaxed and trusting. A slow blink is a friendly signal. You can blink slowly back.
• Wide eyes with large pupils: fear, excitement or play. Pupils also widen in low light.
• Narrow pupils and a hard stare: tension or possible threat. Direct staring is a challenge in cat language, so avoid staring back.
• Squinting: may signal pain or discomfort, or affection in a relaxed cat. Look at context.
• A visible third eyelid, the pale membrane at the inner corner: can appear when a cat is relaxed and sleepy, but if it shows in a cat that is awake, it can mean illness. Ask your vet.

Tail

The tail is a mood flag. See tail language for more.

• Held up, with a slight hook at the tip: friendly greeting.
• Held loosely, relaxed: content.
• Straight up and quivering: excitement or affection, often at greeting. A quivering tail with backing up to a vertical surface can be urine spraying.
• Low or tucked: fear or anxiety.
• Bristled and puffed, with the hair standing on end: fright or defence. This reaction is called piloerection.
• Thrashing or lashing from side to side: growing agitation. A slow wag in a cat that is also still may signal focus or irritation. It does not mean happy as it does in dogs.
• Wrapped around you or another cat: affection.

Whiskers

The whiskers respond to mood too.

• Relaxed and slightly to the sides: calm.
• Pushed forward: curious or focused on prey or a toy.
• Pulled back against the face: fear or defence.

Posture

• Relaxed, on the side or back with the belly showing: trust. It does not always invite a belly rub. Many cats grab and bite if you touch the belly. Let the cat tell you.
• Loaf, with the paws tucked under: relaxed, or sometimes cautious. Check the eyes and ears.
• Crouched low with legs ready to spring: alert, fearful or about to pounce.
• Arched back with fur raised and walking sideways: a defensive display to look bigger.
• Stretched out and rubbing: friendly greeting. Rubbing the head and cheeks on you spreads scent.
• Hunched with the head low and eyes half-closed in a cat that is not sleeping: may signal pain or illness.

Sounds

• Meow: mostly directed at people. Different cats develop different meows.
• Trill or chirp: a friendly greeting.
• Chatter: often at birds seen through a window. It signals arousal.
• Purr: often contentment, and also used to self-soothe. See the guide on why cats purr.
• Growl, yowl or hissing: warnings. Respect them. Do not punish a cat that hisses, because it is telling you to back off.
• Shriek: pain or fear.

Putting signals together

Here are common combinations.

How to respond

• Relaxed cat: you can offer a hand to sniff and pet the head and cheeks.
• Nervous cat: stop, turn your side to the cat, look away and give space. Let it come to you.
• Afraid cat: do not reach for it, corner it or pick it up. Leave the room if you can, and let it calm down.
• Overstimulated cat: stop petting when the tail flicks, the ears go back or the skin on the back ripples.
• Playing cat: use a toy and avoid your hands.

Common mistakes

• Reading one signal alone. A wagging tail does not mean the cat is happy.
• Mistaking a belly display for an invitation.
• Punishing warnings. Cats that cannot warn bite without notice.
• Staring at a cat. In cat language it is a threat.
• Ignoring the setting. The same posture can mean different things at home and at the vet.
• Missing quiet signs of pain or fear. Hiding and reduced grooming are early signs.

When to call a vet

Behaviour changes can signal illness. Call your vet if a cat:

• Hides for much longer than usual, or stops using its usual spots.
• Stops grooming or looks unkempt.
• Squints, holds an eye shut or has a third eyelid showing for a long time.
• Hunches, flinches when touched or will not jump.
• Becomes aggressive without a clear cause.
• Breathes with an open mouth or with effort.
• Stops eating for a day or more.
• Strains in the litter box. A male cat that strains or passes little or no urine needs an emergency vet at once.

Summary

• Read ears, eyes, tail, whiskers, posture and sound together.
• Check the setting before you decide what the cat feels.
• Respect hisses and growls, and give space to a nervous cat.
• A wagging tail and an exposed belly do not mean what they mean in a dog.
• A hidden, hunched or silent cat may be in pain, so call your vet.