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Speaking Cat - Part I

© Caroline Anderson

    Many pet owners have felt that they can communicate with their animals. And in one way or another, they have. Animals communicate with each other in a wide variety of ways, intentionally or not. Body language is one of the most obvious means of relaying information, but scent and visual information can be just as revealing for an animal. The cat is no exception.

    Cats tell us much about their mood, their needs, and their feelings. The body language of felines is quite complex, although it can be partially understood by their human companions. The tail of a cat is a great emotion indicator. An upright tail is a sign that the cat feels alert and confident about his surroundings. He knows where he is and where to hid, find food or affection or to find a great sleeping spot. A low tail tells that the cat is ready for nearly anything, but not too sure of his environment or the territory. Watch out for the lashing tail...it won't necessarily hurt you, but it's a sure sign of annoyance or pending aggression. If you're petting a cat with a lashing, side to side whipping tail, take a break. He's getting peeved. A gentle side to side wag could be a precursor to the lashing tail, but it might not lead to all that. The sure sign of fear and possibly aggression is the fluffed out stiff tail. But a sure sign of play or that the chase is on, is a tail straight up or out, with the tip nervously twitching.

    Anytime the hairs fluff out, a cat is trying to make itself look larger and therefore more of a threat and not to be messed with. The hackles along the spine raise up when a cat has been suddenly frightened, perhaps by a loud sound or a threatening predator nearby. Some cats will twitch their fur, usually along the back to indicate annoyance (usually that a hair is out of place or after a stern reprimand).

    Of course, the ears and the face of a cat can show a lot of emotion. The flattened ears show anger (and fear as well) and are a threat. Ears facing forward simply show the cat is paying attention to something in his surroundings. Accompanied with facial expressions, especially the eyes, and you can see a lot of what your cat is thinking.

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