Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? Cats have a unique and complex way of communicating, using a combination of body language, vocalisations, touch, and scent. Understanding these signals can help strengthen your bond with your feline friend and improve your ability to respond to their needs.
Dr Esmaré van der Walt, a veterinarian at EberVet Pet Clinic in Strand, explains that cats communicate in four primary ways:
1. Visual signalling (body language)
2. Tactile communication (touch)
3. Vocal communication (sounds)
4. Olfactory communication (scent and pheromones)
By recognising these different forms of feline communication, you can better interpret what your cat is feeling and respond appropriately.
Visual Communication: Reading Your Cat’s Body Language
Cats rely heavily on body language to express their mood and intentions. Their posture, facial expressions, tail movements, and even whisker positioning can tell you a lot about what they’re feeling.
Tail Position and Movement
Tail up, ears pricked, and relaxed whiskers – Your cat is happy and open to interaction.
Tail tucked between the legs – They’re feeling scared or anxious.
Puffed-up tail, arched back, and sideways stance – A clear warning: “Stay away!”
Crouched body with a thumping tail – A sign of defensive aggression.
Facial Expressions and Eye Contact
Flattened ears, slitted eyes, and dilated pupils – Fear or distress.
Ears upright and rotated slightly outward with narrow pupils – Frustration.
Slow blinking with half-closed eyes – Relaxation and trust (try slow blinking back to bond with your cat).
Direct staring without blinking – Aggression or assessing a threat.
Body Posture
Stretched out body – Confidence, relaxation, or readiness to attack.
Hunched posture with head and neck pulled in – Fear or insecurity.
Curled-up position with feet tucked under – Relaxation and comfort.
Rolling onto their back and exposing the belly – A sign of trust and friendliness (but not necessarily an invitation for belly rubs!).
Whisker Positioning
Flattened against the face – Fear or nervousness.
Spread out and pointing forward – Alert and curious.
Tactile Communication: The Power of Touch
Cats use touch as a social bonding tool, especially in multi-cat households or with their favourite humans.
Allorubbing – When cats rub their bodies, faces, and tails against each other (or against you), they are transferring their scent and reinforcing social bonds.
Allogrooming – Grooming another cat (or sometimes their human) is a sign of trust and affection.
Nose touching and curling up together – These are friendly gestures that strengthen their social connections.
Vocal Communication: The Language of Meows and Purrs
Cats have one of the largest vocal repertoires of all carnivores, using different sounds to communicate greetings, emotions, and warnings.
Friendly Sounds
Purring – Contentment, relaxation, or even self-soothing when in pain.
Trilling or chirruping – A friendly greeting (often used between a mother cat and her kittens or directed at humans).
Murmuring sounds (soft meows, chattering) – Attention-seeking or acknowledgment.
Meowing: A Language for Humans
Interestingly, adult cats rarely meow at each other. They primarily use meowing to communicate with humans, often to request food, attention, or companionship.
High-pitched meows – A kitten-like call for attention or food.
Insistent, repetitive meows – A demand for something (like opening the door or filling the food bowl).
Hostile Sounds
Growling, snarling, hissing, and spitting – Defensive or offensive aggression.
Shrieking and wailing – Usually heard during fights or mating disputes.
Olfactory Communication: The Role of Scent and Pheromones
Cats have an incredible sense of smell and use scent marking to communicate with other cats and define their territory.
Urine spraying – A way to mark territory and convey health or reproductive status.
Feces placement – Cats bury their feces inside their territory but may leave it uncovered on boundaries as a signal to others.
Scent glands – Cats have scent glands on their cheeks, chin, forehead, and tail base. When they rub against objects (or you), they leave their scent behind—a behaviour called bunting that signals comfort and social connection.
Scratching surfaces – This serves both as a physical mark and a way to leave scent from glands in their paws.
Understanding Your Cat Better
By paying close attention to your cat’s body language, vocalisations, and scent-marking habits, you can better understand their emotions and needs. Learning to “speak cat” strengthens your relationship and allows you to provide the best possible care for your feline companion.
Dr Esmaré van der Walt, a veterinarian at EberVet Pet Clinic in Strand, shares these insights to help cat owners better interpret their pet’s behaviour, leading to happier, healthier relationships with their cats.
Want to Learn More?
If you found this article helpful, explore our website for more expert advice on feline behaviour, health, and care. Understanding your cat is the first step to a strong and loving bond!
