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Feline Knowledge✅｜Decoding Your Cat’s Body Language: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You

Here’s how to know how your cat is feeling.

By Yvonne Villasenor ｜Updated on 10/16/24

Cat body language, vocalizations, and behaviors allow our feline friends to express themselves and can clue us into what they’re thinking and how they’re feeling. Once we understand what they’re trying to tell us, we can properly respond to their emotions and ultimately, build a stronger bond with them.

We spoke with two cat behavior experts about how to read your cat’s body language and understand what they’re trying to communicate.

Signs Your Cat Is Happy

Quandt considers “happy” to be a very human-centric word and emotion. He prefers to refer to satisfied felines as “calm, content, and relaxed.”

In this state, he says cats may appear soft and relaxed, or maybe even gently alert. Body language cues to look for in a “happy” cat include:

  • Average-sized pupils (neither dilated nor constricted)
  • Forward ears (to indicate curiosity)
  • Whiskers by the side of the face (not pulled back)
  • A relaxed tail (not swooshing or slapping)
  • Lying on their side or in the “loaf” position

A content kitty is also likely to be grooming themselves, sleeping, lying calmly, or playing. Upon petting them, you’ll notice their muscles are relaxed and soft to the touch, Quandt says. Another sign of a happy cat—purring!

Signs Your Cat Is Fearful

As a pet parent, it’s important to recognize any negative emotions your cat may be feeling—including fear—so that you can respond accordingly, help reduce these feelings, and make them feel more at ease.

Nagelschneider says to watch your cat’s body language for the following signs of fear:

  • Licking their lips
  • Crouching low to the ground or hiding to make themselves as small as possible
  • A tightly curled tail around their body or tucked between their legs
  • Pinned back ears
  • An arched back
  • Puffed up fur
  • Standing sideways
  • Enlarged pupils
  • A frozen stance
  • Trembling
  • Panting
  • Avoiding eye contact

A cat who feels threatened or fearful might also hiss or growl. In instances where they feel threatened, they may also yowl or make a low-pitched growling sound to ward off the perceived threat.

If your cat is showing signs of being fearful, Nagelschneider says activating their playful behavior with toys and catnip is the fast track to helping them become less scared and more confident. “Many cat owners are not sure of what their cats are thinking or what to do,” she says. “There is no risk playing with the cat and can remedy many scary situations.”

Signs Your Cat Is Feeling Aggressive

One of the most common questions Nagelschneider is, ‘How can I tell if my cat’s aggression is real or playful?” or ‘Is my cat biting my hand in play or is he fearful?’

She explains the two main types of aggression in cats and the signs for each:

  • Offensive aggression: This is aggressive behavior going toward the intended target. Cats may want to display dominance by stalking, swatting, biting, or pouncing. The difference between play fighting and actual fighting is the intention, which is sometimes shown in the intensity of the behavior.
  • Defensive aggression: When a cat is defending oneself as the victim against the offender, they may claw and bite to protect themselves. This encounter may begin with a warning to stay away in the form of a hiss or growl.

Several forms of aggression in cats exist, including:

  • Fear-based
  • Predatory/play
  • Petting-induced
  • Redirected
  • Pain-induced
  • Territorial
  • Maternal
  • Inter-cat

“The signs of aggression in cats can vary depending on the situation, as well as whether the aggression is offensive or defensive,” Nagelschneider says. “Cats may display different physical and behavioral cues based on the context and their perception of the threat or challenge.”

Signs Your Cat Is Stressed

Recognizing the signs of stress in cats can be challenging, depending on the situation, as it can present itself in both subtle and obvious signs.

“Stressful behavior in cats is typically a response to ongoing or chronic situations that cause discomfort or anxiety, rather than a direct, immediate threat that would lead to fearful behavior,” Nagelschneider says. “These can include changes in environment, lack of mental stimulation, health issues, or conflicts with other animals in the household.”

Signs of stress in cats can include:

  • A tense, tight body
  • Muscles that appear hard
  • A body that refuses to stretch out
  • Dilated or constricted pupils
  • Flattened whiskers
  • Sideways or back ears
  • Remaining frozen in place
  • Hiding
  • Tail swishing back and forth or slapping the ground

A stressed cat may also be more vocal, withdrawn, and restless. They might also groom themselves excessively and have a decreased appetite.

Signs Your Cat Is Sick

As much as we wish our cats were able to speak to us when they’re not feeling well, watching their body language and behavior can indicate how they might be feeling. This can ultimately help them get into the vet and start treatment faster.

Common signs of illness in cats include:

“Any time a cat changes their behavior from what is typical or common from them may indicate illness,” Quandt says.

This could include sleeping or sitting in a location that’s unusual for them. He recommends consulting your vet to rule out potential medical causes if you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior that indicate stress, anxiety, or fear.

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