The Best Ways to Decipher Your Cat’s Body Language
Cats use a variety of methods to communicate with other cats, animals or humans, with their body language forming a major part of their communication. One of the ways through which they express themselves is when they arch their backs to indicate a sense of fright or antagonism. They may also blink lazily to hint that they are relaxing. Cats are unusually expressive animals, and their body language might be signifying something very important. A cat’s body language can be expressed through its posture, ears, whiskers, tail, eyes and paws.
Common signs indicating that a cat is using its body language to communicate:
- You may have seen a cat hissing and raising its back like an arch. This is usually done to repel an imminent threat, or to show aggression. A cat may also do it in order to show its disapproval towards an opponent.
- A cat may sometimes puff its tail and raise the hair on its spine. This is done to indicate exuberance due to a newly discovered object or activity.
- If a cat’s ears are flattened, this could mean that the cat is threatened by something and may attack it.
- If it keeps its mouth open, but does not show its teeth, it might be in the mood to play.
- If a cat is lying on its stomach, it might be an indication of trust and reassurance.
- If cat’s eyes are half-open, it may indicate sleepiness. If completely open, it exhibits alertness.
- If a cat turns its head sideways, it definitely means it is ignoring you. So, don’t think that it’s because something amusing has caught its attention.
However, these are not the only ways a cat uses to express itself. A cat’s body language also includes its habit of sniffing noses, which may mean that the cat is welcoming you.
How to know through a cat’s body language if the cat loves you?
- If your cat rubs its head or chin against your chin or body, it signals affection.
- If it bumps you with the front of its head, it also signals liking.
- If it licks your face, it means it wants to bond with you and cares for you.
- If it paws you, purring at the same time, it means that it is trying to show that it is extremely contended with you, and is very fond of you. However, it could also mean that it is in pain or in some other uncomfortable situation. It is always best to consult the vet if this kind of behavior persists.
How does a cat mark you by pawing?
Pawing is an instinctive behavior of cats, exhibited mostly, when they are trying to ‘mark their territory’. They have certain scent glands beneath their paws, which release a scent, depositing it on the person that the cat is trying to get attached to. Once being pawed, the person belongs to the cat.
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