Cat Talk Quick Quide

To correctly interpret Cat Talk, it is important to view the entire picture of Cat Communication including Cat Sounds, and Cat Body Language and Cat Scent Communication behaviors.

This guide was designed to provide a quick overview of various emotions expressed in common cat communication behaviors.

FRIENDLY

• Ears - forward
• Whiskers - relaxed or forward
• Tail - erect
• Coat - smooth
• Sounds - may murmur
• Eyes - alert and relaxed
• May exhibit nose to nose touching or head bunting

FEARFUL

• Ears - flat and back
• Whiskers - back
• Tail - tucked or lashing
• Coat - may be raised along back and tail
• Sounds - may hiss, growl, or spit
• Eyes - pupils dilated
• Crouched body position

PLAYFUL

• Ears - forward
• Whiskers - forward
• Tail - varying positions
• Coat - smooth
• Sounds - may chirp or chatter
• Eyes - pupils dilated
• May make stalking movements

OFFENSIVE AGGRESSION

• Ears - back
• Whiskers - forward
• Tail - down
• Coat - raised along shoulders and tail
• Sounds - may growl and hiss
• Eyes - pupils constricted
• Facing forward with hind end raised (ready to pounce)

DEFENSIVE AGGRESSION

• Ears - flat
• Whiskers - back
• Tail - inverted 'U', low to ground, or up over back
• Coat - raised all over
• Sounds - hissing, growling, spiting, mouth open
• Eyes - pupils dilated
• May roll onto back if no escape

SUBMISSIVE

• Ears - flat
• Whiskers - straight
• Tail - down and held close to body
• Coat - smooth
• Sounds - usually quiet but may hiss or spit
• Eyes - pupils dilated and avoids eye contact
• Crouched low to ground

Remember, this guide is only a generalization. Observe your cats behaviors when they are together. Cat communication behaviors can vary from cat to cat. Some may exhibit all of the behaviors listed and some may exhibit only a few.

Especially learn the differences between friendly and unfriendly cat communication behaviors. It can mean the difference between a happy and an unhappy multiple cat household!