Is your cat trying to
tell you something?
When she exposes her
stomach does she want you to rub it?
Which signals mean
‘stay away’?
Their Eyes
A cat’s pupil will dilate when they are scared or surprised. A Vet
knows that seeing dish-like pupils in a bright examination room means to
beware. A constricted pupil could also mean your cat is feeling aggressive or
tense.
Like a human’s, a cat’s pupil will react to light by
dilating in darkness and constricting in well-lit areas, so it is important to
take this in to consideration when reading your cat.
Your cat holding eye contact could be communicating a
challenge, whereas slow blinking, having her eyes half closed, or sleeping is a
sign that your cat trusts you. In a social setting, cats will often look at
someone who is not paying them any attention.
Their Tail
A cat will often use their tail to communicate a message. A
happy or confident cat will have their tail pointed straight up, whereas a tail
pointed down could mean that they are feeling threatened or scared.
A wagging or thumping tail does not indicate the same
feeling in a cat as a dog. If your cat’s tail is moving rapidly, it indicates
they could be feeling agitated. On the other hand, a slow moving tail is a sign
that your cat is trying to make up their mind about something.
When your cat is fluffing up their tail, they are most likely
feeling threatened or in danger and is trying to make theme self look as big as
possible. A cat with a fluffed tail is best left alone until they calm down.
Their Ears
Ears turned forward suggests that your cat is in a happy and
playful mood, whereas if they are turned back they are likely to be feeling anxious or
nervous. If their ears are flat against their head, they are feeling aggressive and
possibly ready for a fight.
If their ears are standing straight up tall, your cat is alert
and at attention. This will often happen when they hear an unfamiliar sound.
Their Body
A cat spread out on their back could be an invitation for you
to rub their belly, however use caution when approaching them. A cat will also
assume this position when they are feeling defensive, and may be accompanied by
extended claws.
If they begin to
attack your hand as you approach them, the best thing to do is to freeze. A cat
is hard-wired to pounce on moving objects, and keeping still for a moment
before retreating is the best thing to do.
It is important to keep in mind that these are only
guidelines, and may differ from cat to cat. Nobody will know your cat as well
as you.
If you’d like more vet approved pet health advice, sign up to our monthly newsletter here, or visit www.vetshopaustralia.com.au/Pet-Health.
If you’d like more vet approved pet health advice, sign up to our monthly newsletter here, or visit www.vetshopaustralia.com.au/Pet-Health.
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