Cats ·
What is your cat saying? Read the tail, ears and eyes together
Your cat is talking all day, with the tail, ears, eyes and the way they sit or crouch. Pick what you can see and get the most likely mood plus what to do next.
Learn why one signal is never enough, what a slow blink means, and when a change is a reason to ask your vet.
A cat talks with its whole body
Cats are quiet talkers. They save most of their messages for the tail, ears, eyes, whiskers and the way they hold themselves. The trick is to read these signals together, never one at a time: a tail that is up while the ears are flat and the pupils are huge is not a happy cat.
Pick what you can see on your cat right now. The card will tell you the most likely mood and what to do about it.
Read the signals, one by one
Tail
A tail held up is a friendly greeting. A tail tucked between the back legs points to fear or anxiety. A tail held out and slowly swishing can mean frustration, and a puffed-up tail with an arched back and sideways stance is a clear "stay away".
Ears
Relaxed cats keep their ears facing forward. Ears flat against the head usually mean fear, and ears turned sideways or back show a cat who is unhappy or on edge.
Eyes and whiskers
Half-closed eyes and slow blinks are a calm, friendly message, and a comfortable cat may blink back if you blink slowly at them. Wide pupils and a fixed stare can mean stress, though pupils also grow in dim light, so look at the rest of the cat. Staring at your cat can feel like a threat to them, so soften your gaze. Relaxed whiskers sit out to the sides. Whiskers pushed forward mean high alert, and whiskers pressed against the face mean fear.
Body and voice
Cats that feel safe lie or curl up loosely. A scared cat keeps low, pulls its head in and plants all four paws, ready to run. Purring is often a sign of contentment, but cats can also purr when stressed or in pain, so check the body too. Hissing, growling and spitting are warnings: back off.
Read the whole cat, not one signal, and when the signals say "not sure", give space.
What to do with what you see
- Let your cat choose. Offer a hand to sniff and wait. If they come close, stroke gently and stop when the tail starts to swish or the ears turn.
- Reward calm, never punish fear. Shouting or chasing teaches a cat to be scared of you, and it can make the problem worse.
- Offer safe places. Cats that feel stressed like to hide or get up high, so a box, a shelf or a covered bed can help.
- Watch for changes. New hiding, hissing, over-grooming or going off food can have a medical cause. Cats hide pain well, so ask a vet rather than guessing.
Sources: Cats Protection: Cat body language, International Cat Care: Cat communication and Petplan: Understanding cat body language. Read the full pages for more detail; the welfare groups describe some signals slightly differently, and none of this replaces a vet's advice.