You'll learn a lot when you can interpret your cat's wide vocabulary.
"Meow" is an all-purpose sound. Your cat may be "meowing" as a greeting ("Hey, how are you today?"), a command ("I want down, More food now") or an announcement ("Here's your mouse").
Purring is a sign of contentment (usually). Cats purr whenever they're happy.
Growling, hissing, or spitting indicate a cat who is annoyed, frightened, angry, or aggressive. Leave the cat alone!
Chirps and trills are how a mother cat tells her kittens to follow her. Aimed at you, it probably means your cat wants you to follow him
A howl tells you your cat is in some kind of problem—stuck in a closet, looking for you, or in pain.
Chattering or twittering are the noises your cat makes when she's sitting in the window watching birds or squirrels.
Body language: your cat communicates with the whole body
Ears
Swiveling: attentive
Forward: interested
Backward, sideways, flat: frightened
Tail
Erect: fur flat: alert, inquisitive, or happy - Fur standing on end: angry - frightened
Held very low or tucked between legs: insecure or anxious
Thrashing back and forth: The faster the tail, the angrier the cat
Straight up, quivering: excited, happy
Body
Back arched, fur flat: welcoming
Back arched, fur standing on end: frightened
Lying on back, purring: relaxed
Lying on back, growling: upset
Rubbing
When your cat rubs his body against you he is marking his territory.
Kneading
When the cat works her paws on a soft surface as if it she's kneading bread dough. It's a holdover from kitten hood, when a nursing kitten massaged her mother's teats while feeding. Your cat does this when she is very happy.
"Meow" is an all-purpose sound. Your cat may be "meowing" as a greeting ("Hey, how are you today?"), a command ("I want down, More food now") or an announcement ("Here's your mouse").
Purring is a sign of contentment (usually). Cats purr whenever they're happy.
Growling, hissing, or spitting indicate a cat who is annoyed, frightened, angry, or aggressive. Leave the cat alone!
Chirps and trills are how a mother cat tells her kittens to follow her. Aimed at you, it probably means your cat wants you to follow him
A howl tells you your cat is in some kind of problem—stuck in a closet, looking for you, or in pain.
Chattering or twittering are the noises your cat makes when she's sitting in the window watching birds or squirrels.
Body language: your cat communicates with the whole body
Ears
Swiveling: attentive
Forward: interested
Backward, sideways, flat: frightened
Tail
Erect: fur flat: alert, inquisitive, or happy - Fur standing on end: angry - frightened
Held very low or tucked between legs: insecure or anxious
Thrashing back and forth: The faster the tail, the angrier the cat
Straight up, quivering: excited, happy
Body
Back arched, fur flat: welcoming
Back arched, fur standing on end: frightened
Lying on back, purring: relaxed
Lying on back, growling: upset
Rubbing
When your cat rubs his body against you he is marking his territory.
Kneading
When the cat works her paws on a soft surface as if it she's kneading bread dough. It's a holdover from kitten hood, when a nursing kitten massaged her mother's teats while feeding. Your cat does this when she is very happy.
Your Cat's Moods
Wondering if your cat is having a good day? Here are some clues:
Content: Sitting or lying down, eyes half-closed, tail mostly still, ears forward, and purring—a happy cat (could also be kneading a soft surface).
Playful: Ears forward, tail up, whiskers forward, and pupils somewhat dilated—playing is hunting behavior
Irritated or over-stimulated: Pupils dilated, ears turned back, and tail twitching or waving—your cat may growl or put his teeth on you as a warning to cease and desist. Intense play can quickly turn into overstimulation in some cats, resulting in biting and scratching.
Nervous or anxious: Ears sideways or back, pupils dilated, and tail low or tucked between legs—your cat may slink through the house close to the floor, looking for somewhere to hide.
Frightened or startled: ears back and flat against her head, whiskers back, back arched, fur standing on end, and tail erect or low. She may growl, hiss, or spit.
Defensive: Crouched, ears flattened, whiskers back, tail between his legs or wrapped around his body, and pupils dilated—he may meow loudly, growl, hiss, or spit.
Angry, aggressive: Ears back and her tail may be up or down with the fur standing on end—Cats don't really want to fight; they prefer standoffs
KITTY in NY has the best options available for your cat boarding needs. Our caregivers have had many cats in the past and understand their needs. Your cat will be in the best hands when you're away from the city. Contact us to book your next cat boarding service. We'll be glad to help you.
Wondering if your cat is having a good day? Here are some clues:
Content: Sitting or lying down, eyes half-closed, tail mostly still, ears forward, and purring—a happy cat (could also be kneading a soft surface).
Playful: Ears forward, tail up, whiskers forward, and pupils somewhat dilated—playing is hunting behavior
Irritated or over-stimulated: Pupils dilated, ears turned back, and tail twitching or waving—your cat may growl or put his teeth on you as a warning to cease and desist. Intense play can quickly turn into overstimulation in some cats, resulting in biting and scratching.
Nervous or anxious: Ears sideways or back, pupils dilated, and tail low or tucked between legs—your cat may slink through the house close to the floor, looking for somewhere to hide.
Frightened or startled: ears back and flat against her head, whiskers back, back arched, fur standing on end, and tail erect or low. She may growl, hiss, or spit.
Defensive: Crouched, ears flattened, whiskers back, tail between his legs or wrapped around his body, and pupils dilated—he may meow loudly, growl, hiss, or spit.
Angry, aggressive: Ears back and her tail may be up or down with the fur standing on end—Cats don't really want to fight; they prefer standoffs
KITTY in NY has the best options available for your cat boarding needs. Our caregivers have had many cats in the past and understand their needs. Your cat will be in the best hands when you're away from the city. Contact us to book your next cat boarding service. We'll be glad to help you.
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