Ask a Vet with Dr. Sam: I want to make sure my cat feels happy. How can I tell what’s going on inside his head?

A cat’s behaviors are interesting, complex and can be confusing. Meowing is only a small part of how they communicate. Most of the time, cats use their body language (ears, eyes, whiskers and tails) to tell each other and their humans how they feel. By learning about and paying attention to cats’ body language, we can do a better job of attending to their needs, and have even stronger, happier relationships with them.

A relaxed cat’s ears and whiskers will be at their neutral positions. Pupils will be small and eyelids will be soft. They may blink slowly and sweetly at you. A cat displaying this body language feels safe and isn’t concerned about monitoring the environment.

An affectionate cat will circle around your legs, rub their cheeks on your hands or give you head butts. Their tail may be held high with a little hook on the end to show they are happy to see you. Happy cats often “make biscuits” or knead on your lap or on a blanket. You will probably hear them purring too. (Cats do sometimes purr in stressful situations, likely to calm themselves.)

A playful cat typically has wide eyes and a twitchy tail (also a sign of annoyance or agitation). Play for cats mimic survival behaviors, so they may stalk, chase, shake, swat or bite. Cats who are hunting or defending themselves also display these behaviors, but in a more “serious” manner. While playing, a cat is not as efficient and will sometimes display behaviors they would not do while in danger like rolling on their back.

A cat who’s stressed will have a stiff body that is possibly held low to the ground. They might lean away and you might notice them yawn, groom, scratch or lick their lips excessively.

A cat who is experiencing an increasing level of fear, anxiety or stress, will have “airplane ears” where their ears are held low and rotated to the sides of their head. Or, they may tuck their ears back onto their head. They might breathe quickly and will keep their tail low and have wide, watchful eyes with large pupils. They may remain in a crouched position or flatten their body to the ground. Some cats arch their back and raise their hair in a “Halloween cat” pose to make themselves appear larger. At high levels of stress, cats will also growl, hiss and spit. If those clear warnings are not heeded, the cat may swat or bite.

A cat’s body language not only reveals a lot about how the cat feels emotionally, it can reveal if he’s feeling ill. Cats are very good at hiding illness, so small body cues can be the first signs of trouble. A cat who’s feeling sick may hold her head low and squint their eyes or hold them shut. Their ears might sit low or rotated outward, and their whiskers might be pointing downward. They may tuck themself into a tight ball. Their third eyelids may be visible because they aren’t being retracted fully. You may notice eye or nose discharge or drooling. If you think that your cat is ill or in pain, talk to your vet.

Do you have a question for Dr. Sam? Email yours to steph@mrfrs.org.