How can you better understand your cat's language?

Understanding your cat isn't always easy, but it's essential if you want to meet your cat's needs and strengthen your relationship. Cats don't just communicate through their meows and purrs, a great deal is hidden in their body language and behaviour.

How to identify your feline's mood by observing their posture

The meanings of your cat's tail positions

1. A straight, raised tail generally indicates that your cat is happy and confident. They may be greeting you or showing interest in something they are curious about.
2. If their tail is tucked between their hind legs,  your feline may be feeling stressed or worried. If their fur starts to puff and their tail bristles, your cat is probably afraid or feeling threatened. This is a defensive reaction to appear more imposing.
3. A tail that swishes rapidly from left to right is generally a sign of annoyance, irritation or frustration in cats. It may be a warning that they are about to become aggressive.
4. A slightly wagging tail can mean your cat is excited or happy, especially if accompanied by other positive signs such as purring.
5. Finally, a tail in a vertical position with the tip curved is often observed when your cat is intrigued or curious.

Ear position, a way of decoding your cat's emotions

For example, if their ears are upright but not pricked, your cat is relaxed and feels safe. On the other hand, if their ears are tilted back and flat on their head, your four-legged friend feels threatened or frightened. Finally, ears tilted forward are a sign of curiosity and attention.

Use your cat's eyes to tell you what mood they’re in

1. If they have constricted or narrow pupils, your cat may be in a rather relaxed or content state. They also narrow their pupils to protect themselves from bright lights.
2. Dilated pupils indicate that your cat is excited or on the prowl, as when playing on their favourite piece of cat furniture for example.
3. A slow blink when looking at you is a sign of affection and trust. You can also respond by blinking slowly.
4. Finally, a stare without a blink means your pet feels threatened and may become aggressive.

Understanding your cat's language

Your feline's purrs

Generally speaking, purring is a noise that occurs when your cat feels appeased. This can happen when the owner is giving his cat affection. Your cat may purr in their cat furniture if they feel safe and relaxed.

Understanding your furry friend's meows

Some cat breeds are more talkative than others, like Siamese or Bengals. However, not all meows convey the same message, some can vary in tone, duration and intensity.

1. A soft meow generally expresses satisfaction or that they are seeking your attention.
2. Loud, long meows can mean your cat is hungry.
3. Excessive, agitated meowing can be a sign that your cat is under stress, such as during visits to the vet.
4. If you notice a sudden change in your cat's meowing, it could be a sign of pain or illness. In this case, it's important to visit your vet.
5. Finally, if the meowing is accompanied by growling noises, your cat could be afraid of something or facing a stressful situation.

Your cat spits

If your cat spits or growls, they are angry and you need to act cautiously. In this situation, it's best to let your cat calm down on their own. Avoid sudden movements when you're moving around so that your cat doesn't feel even more threatened.

The cat's language through its behaviour

If your cat rubs themself against you, they are showing you their affection and trust. It may also mean they're marking you with pheromones.

When they lie on their back, your cat is expressing their well-being, but that doesn't mean they want to be disturbed and stroked.

When a cat is happy, they may also knead or “make biscuits”. This is an instinctive behaviour that evokes pleasant memories of suckling when they were kittens.