Body Language of Cats
Lori Smith, Caring Hands Humane Society Kennel Manager (316) 283 0839
RELAXED/FRIENDLY: EARS: forward, TAIL: soft or upright WHISKERS: straight FUR: flat PUPILS: dilated
ANNOYED: TAIL: tip twitching WHISKERS: pulled back against face EARS: flat against head
AGGRESSIVE: EYES: staring directly PUPILS: narrow TAIL: hair puffed and thumps ground or swishes rapidly LIPS: snarled
FACE: forward BUTT: upwards
SCARED: HAIR: raised on tail/back TAIL: close to body or lashing WHISKERS: flat on face EARS: flat on head BODY
POSITION: crouched sideways PUPILS: large
SICK: EYES: droopy TAIL: between legs EARS/WHISKERS: odd positions
(Tails are main indicator of mood, BUT eyes, ears, legs and mouth play important roles in determining the feelings and
messages a cat is sending out. Reaction to anger, fear or other stimuli is not an intentional response; it is based on a
cat’s reflexes. For this reason, they may show the same signs when fearful or when being aggressive.)
TAIL POSITIONS
(Typically a tail in the upright position is a greeting. Fluffed up or curved in various positions can signal other feelings, as
listed below in better detail. Tails that are lowered can signal somewhat of a lower feeling or mood. Any tail lashing
about in various degrees is a tail that is very expressive. A clear observation of the eyes, ears, whiskers and hair
placement should be made prior to handling this cat.)
Straight up and down = CONFIDENT/FRIENDLY
Tucked around the body=PREFERS TO BE LEFT ALONE
Inverted U shape=KITTENS=PLAYFULNESS/ADULTS=DEFENSE AGGRESSION
Curled/tucked under body=FEELS THREATENED
Slightly Flicking=INDECISIVE/CONTEMPLATIVE
Flicking suddenly/rapidly=ANXIOUS/AGGITATED
Flicking constantly=CRITIQUEING SURROUNDINGS
THUMPING=ANNOYED /FRUSTRATED‐‐COULD LEAD TO ATTACK
Lashing back/forth=LIKELY TO ATTACK
Between legs=SUBMISSIVE/DEFEAT
Upright without bristling=GREETING/NO THREAT
Upright, gently quivers=HAPPINESS/EXCITEMENT TYPICALLY IN ANTICIPATION (food)
Body Language of Cats
Lori Smith, Caring Hands Humane Society Kennel Manager (316) 283 0839
Upright with tip tilted=GREETING WITH RESERVATIONS
Slightly raised, but gently curved=INTERESTED
Gentle downward curve, tip curved up=TOTAL RELAXATION/CONTENTMENT
Tail still but tip slightly twitching=SLIGHLY IRRITATED/AGGITATED
Tail still but tip actively swishing=VERY IRRITATED/ANNOYED
Swishing from side to side=EXTREMELY ANGRY
Arched tail and bristled=READY TO ATTACK/DEFEND IF NECESSARY
Upright/fully bristled tail=AGGRESSION /DEFENSE
Fluffed out and lowered tail=FEAR/AVOID CONFRONTATION
VOCALIZATIONS
(There are approximately 100 different feline vocalizations in cats. As compared to about 20 in dogs, you can imagine
how much there is to learn about communicating with or to a cat! Here are some basic few.)
Meowing=used with people, varies in definition (sounds like a ‘basic meow’)
Mew=used to locate another cat (typically higher pitched and sounds like a question mark at the end)
Growl=warning to keep distance
Hiss=keep away/defensive sound
Spit=(short popping sound) occurs with hissing if surprised or threatened
Screech/Shriek=defensive/aggressive/outraged/possibly pain (loud, shriek, similar to a scream in a human, such as if you
accidentally step on a cat’s tail)
Chirping=friendly greeting
Yowl=fright/confusion/disorientation/anxiousness (sounds like YOWL and is a longer drawn out sound with a question
mark at the end, different than a female in heat’s yowl)
Moan=(drawn out/sad) about to vomit/older cats=disoriented (shorter sound than the yowl, but similar in strength,
although sometimes sound is cut short abruptly at the end)
Purr=Content/illness
Body Language of Cats
Lori Smith, Caring Hands Humane Society Kennel Manager (316) 283 0839
