Cat behavior: the complete guide to understanding what your cat is trying to tell you
Cats communicate all the time with their bodies, voices, and sense of smell. Once you learn to read those signals, life together gets easier, you avoid scratches and conflicts, and you can spot any health or stress problems sooner. In this guide, we cover the essentials and point you to the articles where we dive deeper into each topic.
The tail: the emotional thermometer
- Held high with a curved tip: they are happy and trusting.
- Puffed up: they are scared or feel threatened.
- Moving side to side with sharp flicks: they are annoyed or overstimulated, and it is best to leave them alone.
- Low or tucked between the legs: they feel scared or insecure.
Ears, eyes, and whiskers
Ears pointing forward indicate curiosity and attention. If they turn them to the sides or flatten them against their head, they are upset or scared. Very dilated pupils can mean excitement, play, or fear, depending on the context.
The famous slow blink is a sign of trust: you can give it back to tell them you are calm. We explain more about staring and what it means in Why does your cat stare at you while you sleep?.
Body posture
If they show you their belly, they are relaxed and trust you, but it is not always an invitation to pet them there. An arched back with fur standing on end is a defensive posture. Crouched, with a tense body and the tail held tight against it, they are assessing a threat or getting ready to pounce on prey or a toy.
Sounds and vocalizations
- Meow: adult cats mostly meow to communicate with people, and it is usually a request for food, attention, or for you to open a door.
- Purr: generally means well-being, although some cats also purr when they feel pain or stress.
- Hiss and growl: these are clear warnings to leave them alone.
- Chatter: that odd sound they make while watching birds through the window, triggered by the excitement of the hunt.
Behaviors that baffle us
Kneading
It goes back to their nursing days as kittens and is linked to calm and comfort.
Rubbing against you
They mark you with the scent glands on their face: it is their way of saying you are part of their territory.
Scratching
It is a natural need: they sharpen their claws, stretch their bodies, and leave marks. The solution is not to forbid it, but to give them good scratching posts.
Bringing you "gifts"
It is their hunting instinct. Don't scold them, because they don't understand punishment.
Nighttime zoomies
Cats are most active at dawn and dusk. Playing with them before bedtime helps them release energy.
Stress, anxiety, and sadness
Moving house, new pets, noise, or boredom can affect a cat. Some signs are hiding a lot, peeing outside the litter box, excessive grooming, not eating, or becoming aggressive. We explain how to spot it and what to do in 7 signs your cat is depressed.
Many weird behaviors also have to do with their senses, which are much sharper than ours. We talk about it in Do cats see ghosts?.
An environment that prevents problems
Most behavior problems decrease when the cat has high perches, hiding spots, scratching posts, daily play, and their food, water, and litter box in separate places. Check out how to set it up in Creating a cat-friendly home: the art of catification.
A sudden change in behavior can be a sign of pain or illness. If you notice something out of the ordinary that lasts more than a few days, consult your vet before assuming it is just personality.