Cat Body Language
AWL Qld Education Division
Eyes
Just like humans, a cat’s eyes can tell us a lot about how they are feeling. If you want to make friends with a cat - don’t stare directly into the eyes. Instead, half squint your eyes. This is known as a ‘cat smile’. When a cat is totally relaxed and in a friendly mood, it will ‘smile’ at you with its eyes. A playful and alert cat will have ‘big’ eyes. Even though it looks cute, when a cat has ‘big’ eyes, this is not the best time to approach it for a pat. When a cat’s eyes are ‘smiling’ at you, this means that it would love a pat!
Ears
When a cat is relaxed, it will hold its ears in an upright position. When a cat is alert or frightened, its ears will sit far back against the head.
Whiskers
A playful cat will puff its whiskers forward. A relaxed cat will have ‘relaxed’ whiskers that sit straight out to the sides of face. A scared or alert cat will have whiskers that sit flat against the face.
Tails
When a cat is relaxed and greeting you in a friendly way, it will hold its tail upright in the air with a little ‘question mark’ at the end. When a cat is alert, excited, playful or unhappy, it will hold its tail lower to the ground and swish it from side-to-side. It’s best not to pat a cat that is giving you this ‘sign’ you could end up with a play bite or a scratch!
Upright: confident, happy
Offer playtime, cuddles, treats
Curled at top: friendly
Offer hand to sniff/pet
Curved: nervous
Wait for her to come
Puffed: scared, agitated
Leave alone!
Swaying: focused
Let her follow her interests
Straight down: agitated, aggressive
Don’t engage; neutralize what’s upsetting her
Whipping: fearful, angry, aggressive
Don’t try for quality snuggle time!