Some like to meow, others prefer a chirrup, while a few may not make much noise at all. But what are cats trying to tell us? As Cats Protection behaviourist Daniel Warren Cummings explains, the key to understanding what cats are thinking is less about sound and more about watching their body language.
"Unlike dogs, cats haven’t evolved to have lots of facial muscles, so their faces aren’t as expressive as our canine friends," explains Daniel. "Cats are better built for long-distance communication and rely heavily on scent to leave and pick up messages. However, watching their body language can also tell us a great deal about how they’re feeling, and understanding the basics is a great way to improve your bond with your pet."
How to tell if your cat is happy
A key sign of a happy cat is their tail being held loosely upright, perhaps with a curve at the tip. When they do this as they walk towards you, it’s their way of saying hello, and that they’re happy to see you. Content cats walk with straight, relaxed legs and a flat back, which may arch a little when they rub against our ankles or furniture. It may be helpful to think of shapes - happy cats look more like squares, whereas nervous cats will lower themselves closer to the ground, looking more like a rectangle.
Daniel adds: "Cats will also roll onto their backs if they’re feeling happy and relaxed, maybe showing their tummies. This is a big sign of trust, but not necessarily an invitation to stroke their tummy. Unless you’re sure your cat enjoys it, it’s best to avoid the tummy area as you may be at risk of a swipe!"
Finally, there’s the ‘hop up’ where cats will raise themselves up and maybe give a soft headbump – this means they’re looking for a fuss, and who could refuse?
How to tell if your cat is stressed
Learning your cat’s body language isn’t just great fun, it can also give you important clues when they may be feeling fearful, anxious or in pain.
Daniel explains: "Anxious cats will normally crouch close to the ground – think of that rectangular body position - while looking for a hiding place. Their ears will be held flat back when extremely stressed, and the space you can see between the ears as they move to the side and back will increase as they become more stressed.
"A cat who feels threatened may arch their back to make themselves look more intimidating, and their tail will be in a rigid upright position. Very scared cats are likely to hiss or take a swipe so it’s important to give them space, try and remove what is bothering them, and make sure they have a safe hiding place they can retreat to.
"Finally, don’t assume purring is a sign of happiness – while cats do indeed purr when they’re happy, this is only true if their body language is also relaxed. Cats may also purr in stressful situations, like going to the vet or when they’re in pain. This is why it’s important to watch your cat’s body language, as this is a better indicator of how they’re feeling."
Love cats? Check out our pets section for advice on cat care from How to take your cat to the vet without stress to how to get rid of fleas
Cats Protection Behaviour Officer Daniel Warren Cummings has a degree in Zoology with Animal Behaviour from the University of Wales and has spent over 10 years working in the animal rescue and rehoming sector.
Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity - to find more tips from the charity about humane ways of keeping cats out of your garden, visit cats.org.uk