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Cat Body Language 101
TrainingPet Care

January 22, 2018

PetSafe® Expert

Dr. Meredith Stepita, DVM, DACVB

Cat Body Language 101

Did you know that in the United States, it is estimated that there are 400,000 cat bites leading to 66,000 emergency departments visits every year? That's nearly 200 emergency department visits per day. Cat bites can be especially dangerous since they create small, deep wounds that are difficult to clean. The risk of an infection with a certain type of bacteria (P multocida) is estimated to be 10 times higher after cat than dog bites.

In addition to human safety, learning to read cat body postures can decrease your cat's stress and ultimately save the cat's life, since behavior problems are an important cause of relinquishment to animal shelters.

This article will give you some pointers that will help you read your cat's body postures and understand what she's trying to tell you in order to prevent fear and aggression which lead to biting.

The Basics: Getting Started

  • Look at the entire cat. Although we rely on certain key body parts when assessing posture, such as ear and tail position, the posture of these specific body parts must be taken into context with the entire posture of the cat.
  • Body postures can be subtle. For example, your cat may put her ears back a little, which may be hard for us to see.
  • Breed variations. Manx cats have a shortened tail or are missing the tail altogether, which may make it more difficult to communicate with us.
  • Body postures may change over time. Your cat may start out with fearful body postures, but as she learns that her behavior is effective, (i.e. her aggression works to drive scary people away) she may start to look more confident, even though her underlying motivation is fear.

Defensively Fearful Body Postures

Most cats with behavior problems tend to be fearful and stressed rather than confident.

  • Ears laid back, flattened against the head
  • Crouched body
  • Tail tucked under the body
  • Legs tucked under the body
  • Leaning away

The offensively fearful cat has been dubbed the "Halloween Cat." This cat has ears flattened against the head, arched back, tail held straight up, and bristled hair (hair standing on end). The Halloween Cat is the equivalent of the fear-biting dog. If a cat is exhibiting these body postures, she is more likely to become aggressive if the situation that provoked the fear is not eliminated. Avoid interacting with cats exhibiting this posture.

Other Signs of Stress

  • Freezing
  • Hiding
  • Increased activity/pacing
  • Trembling
  • Panting
  • Refusing food
  • Urinating, defecating, expressing anal glands (has a fishy smell)
  • Eyes widening so that the pupil is enlarged

Note that the context is also very important. A trembling cat may be cold, not anxious.

Another stress related phenomenon is "feigned sleep." This posture is shown by cats stressed for long periods of time, such as in an animal shelter. With "feigned sleep" it appears as if the cat is sleeping, but the difference between this posture and true sleep is that the body is taut rather than relaxed.

Some cats can also become easily overstimulated, which can lead to aggression in the form of growling, hissing, swatting, snapping, and biting. Signs of overstimulation include tail lashing, eyes widening so that the pupil is enlarged, and hair standing on end. If a cat is showing these signs, move away and do not interact with the cat. Some cats can remain overstimulated for hours to days.

Confident Body Postures

The opposite of fear is confidence, although some cats will show a combination of fearful and confident body postures.

  • Direct eye contact
  • Leaning forward
  • Ears forward to slightly turned out/sideways

People tend to interact with cats by approaching the cat straight on, looming over the cat, and putting their hand out or reaching for the cat's face. This human behavior causes cats to become more fearful. Instead, let the cat approach you and ask the cat's owner if she enjoys petting. If she enjoys petting, pet the cat on her body or under her chin rather than reaching over her head. If a cat is showing signs of overstimulation, fear, or aggression, move away and do not interact with the cat.

Learning to read your cat's body postures will help you communicate with your cat, keep people safe, and decrease the chance that behavior problems will lead to relinquishment.

Know someone who doesn't follow these tips or a parent who could use a reminder? Send them this article. It could save a cat's life.

Written by

Dr. Meredith Stepita, DVM, DACVB

Dr. Meredith Stepita, DVM, DACVB

Vet Behaviorist

PetSafe® Expert

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