Cat signs what they say. Cat facial expressions: the subtleties of communication

Cats are independent, freedom-loving animals. They know what they want when they need affection and attention, and when they need solitude and tranquility.

To Cohabitation a person and a cat did not turn into chaos and mutual insults, it is useful for people to learn to understand the principles of communication between cats, to know what their gestures mean, and what this beautiful and such a mysterious animal purrs about.

Body language: what the ears and tail tell

The main "speech devices" in cats are ears and a tail. By these beacons, you can determine the mood of the cat, predict some of its actions. If the pet is good mood, then his tail sticks out a “pipe”. This means that the cat is ready to frolic, play, nothing bothers him.

If the tail trembles, and the ears are pressed to the head, then this means danger. First of all, for the owners, of course, because, perhaps, very soon the cat will go on the attack. But in most cases, serious damage can be avoided: cats are not prone to unreasonable attacks on people. It's more of a game than a serious desire to harm. Sometimes a cat can redirect aggression from external stimuli (a stranger in the house, extraneous smells, etc.) to a person, in this case you just need to let the animal recover and calm down on its own.

When real danger cats begin to hiss, bend down to the floor, can release their claws and round their eyes. Frightening actions - waving paws, spitting, willingness to run away and hide. The peak of fear is the back with a hump. The cat seems to puff up: the hair stands on end, the eyes bulge. This posture says only one thing - the cat is confused, scared, something threatens her and she is ready to defend herself or run away.

Shades of cat voices

By intonation, pitch and timbre, you can truly understand what the cat said. Here are some examples:

short, crisp "meow" means something like "Hi! Where have you been?", and if the cat is a stranger, "Let's get to know each other";
if the meow comes as if from the chest, the sounds are loud and stifled, then the animal is offended, or complains of some kind of discomfort: “Well, when will you get up from the computer and give me something to eat ?!”;
if the sounds described in the paragraph above turn into loud hysterical calls, then the matter is serious, most likely something hurts the cat;
a cat that is afraid moves to raised tones;
wild cries that look more like the howl of sirens - the cat is fighting;
purring lulling intonations mean: "I love you, scratch me behind the ear." Cats purr when they fall asleep and when they are happy. But, at times, this can become a harbinger of irritation and growling - for example, when a cat is held by force;
cats also have interrogative notes, for example, they can be heard in the appeal of a cat-mother to her kittens.

Cats are subtle psychologists

Sometimes it seems to us that it is we, people who are so smart, well-read and understand everything. But it's worth looking at pet how some beliefs are easily dispelled. Cats know how to get their way, don't they?

And what about cat raids on furniture instead of scratching posts? Running around the apartment with a crash and falling objects? And all this in order for the cat to walk, play, pay attention to it.

Living next to a person saved cats from many problems, for example, they do not need to get food and defend themselves from strangers. Therefore, cats have acquired those behavioral features that are so loved by all cat lovers: chest purring, the desire to rub against the legs, pushing the head into the palm, arching the back with the tail raised up. These gestures tell that a person is close and dear to an animal.

The relationship of color and character

Professor Helmut Hemmer states that the character of a cat often coincides with its color. In his opinion:

black cats are affectionate, curious, but a little nervous;
black and white - sociable, excellent friends for children, very attached to their owners;
striped - closed, sometimes avoid communication, very freedom-loving, independent;
redheads, white-redheads are real couch potatoes, they need peace;
whites are capricious and touchy creatures, but wonderful in nature.

What will the look say?

Cats don't like eye-to-eye contact. This applies to both humans and other members of the cat family. AT difficult situations, in case of danger or the approach of an eccentric, the cat can even run away if the enemy manages to catch her eye. But when the cat itself tries to catch the eye of the owner, then that's it, you are on the hook - cook Tasty food, or get ready to pay attention to your pet.

A calm posture and wide-open eyes are evidence that everything in the cat's life is good, she is relaxed, and does not see or feel a threat to herself. If the cat begins to squint, cover his eyes, then it is better not to approach him.

Pupils will also tell a lot: if they are dilated despite the fact that in the room bright lighting means the cat is excited. Constricted pupils and a closer look will tell about the readiness to make a jump.

Learning to understand your pet is easy. It is enough to watch your cat, take care of him with love, answer all his requests. A little effort and it will be possible to say with confidence: "I understand my cat as myself."

In addition to gestures and sounds, the cat has another "weapon" in its "arsenal" of means for expressing emotions: facial expressions. It is very important not only for understanding the animal, but also for establishing a closer contact with it. In addition, the facial expressions of cats are really very understandable and expressive, so it is very difficult to make a mistake in what your pet wants. But first of all, it should be learned that facial expressions are only expressions of the muzzle of the animal and the movement of its head as a whole. Everything else relates to the cat's body language, and although it also affects the understanding of the pet's desires, it has nothing to do with facial expressions.

How to understand what a cat wants: extreme situations

AT calm state the muzzle of the cat is round and peaceful. In this case, the cat's facial expressions emphasize the calmness of the animal even in the smallest detail: the ears look up, the eyes are wide open (but the pupil has a normal size), the whiskers and whiskers are directed upwards.

A worried cat looks very tense. In this case, facial expressions easily betray excitement: the ears are pressed to the head, the eyes are tightly screwed up, and the pupil is narrowed.

The fright is even more pronounced: the ears are pressed against the head very strongly, sometimes they are even almost invisible, the cat's head is drawn into the shoulders, and she herself seems to be going into a ball. As for the facial expressions themselves, in this case characteristic feature is uplift upper lip and the appearance of bared fangs - is responsible for this nervous tension muscles that lift the lip up.

Aggressiveness in a cat is extremely rare, so the expression of the muzzle that accompanies it looks quite characteristic and easily recognizable. The reaction is similar to fright, however, in this case, the ears turn outward a little, and attentive eyes look at the enemy point-blank.

Also, the aggressive mood of a cat can be recognized by a slight tilt of the head to the side and tension of the whole body - this indicates that the animal is about to rush to the attack.

Everyday facial expressions of cats

Calmness and excitement are two extreme situations, and between them there is a whole range of other features of the expression of a cat's face. So, if a cat hunts or is very interested in what is happening, an attentive expression will appear on its muzzle: in this case, the ears are as open and raised as possible, and they are in constant motion and try to catch the slightest sounds, the eyes are open wide, and the pupil is dilated.

In some situations, the nose may clearly twitch, giving the cat a desire to recognize any smells. If these smells are pleasant for the animal, it will stretch its neck and slightly open its mouth, trying to swallow air in small sips.

Ears play a special role in recognizing the facial expressions of cats. If they are in a protruding position, then the cat is ready to play and shows you his great mood.

If the ears, on the contrary, are pressed to the head and lowered, then the cat is ready for protection and is angry.

And if they are also turned back, then the cat is simply furious!

Just lying flat ears indicate that the cat is interested in what is happening.

Also, the facial expressions of a cat cannot be understood without moving the eyebrows and whiskers. Mustache plays especially important role and reveal several moods:

Sadness, concern or illness - the mustache is down.

Interest - mustaches stick out forward.

Calmness - mustaches look to the sides.

Fright or anxiety - the mustache is gathered in bunches and pressed against the cheeks.

And, of course, as in the case of a person, the mood of a cat is easily recognized by the eyes:

Eyes narrowed - the cat is calm.

One eye winks - the cat is in a good mood.

Eyes half-closed - the cat trusts the owner and feels good for him.

Eyes squint - the cat is peaceful.

Eyes staring - the cat expresses a challenge.

Eyes wide open - the cat is afraid.

Pupils dilate - the cat is interested or angry.

The third eyelid appears - the cat is going to sleep or is sick.

In general, cat facial expressions are an innate quality that manifests itself from childhood: in the behavior of kittens, you can easily notice the features and habits of adult cats. Recognizing them is quite easy, even if you do not know their meanings. The main thing is to watch the pet for a while, and he himself will “tell” what and how he feels.

“Oh, it seems that our cat has broken down,” - this phrase, probably, every owner of a fluffy predator utters sooner or later. Incredible tricks and stances that would be the envy of world champions rhythmic gymnastics, is about our pets. But, fortunately, most cat poses still lend themselves to classification and even add up to a kind of sign language!

So, what do the poses in which the cat sleeps say?

Clew: I feel good and calm

This is the most common sleeping position for cats. It means that the pet feels calm and safe. The glomerulus helps minimize heat loss, and cats are usually very comfortable sleeping in this position. However, if you didn’t notice before that your pet liked to sleep curled up in a ball, and now you see him in this position every now and then, then you should pay more attention to your pet and check his health.

Covering your nose with your paw: get ready for the cold

There is a sign: if a cat sleeps, covering its nose with its paw, it means that frosts will hit soon. And it really comes true!

The fact is that cats immediately feel when the temperature in the room begins to drop - even if it is completely imperceptible to humans, - explains Maria Tuvashkina, director of the Murzik cat cafe.

On my back, stretched out with my stomach up: I'm happy!

The posture that opens the belly indicates the maximum comfort of the cat. This means that nothing bothers him, he feels like a full owner and fully trusts all the people who are nearby.

Like many other animals, cats have a stomach - the most vulnerable part of the body, and they usually try to protect it even during sleep. But if a cat sleeps on its back, spreading its paws wide, it means that it is 100% sure that a sudden threat will not disturb its sleep, from which it will have to be protected, says cat breeder Irina Sokolova.

Sitting with legs tucked under the body: I feel unwell

If the cat tries to sleep in this position, something seems to be bothering him - he, rather, does not sleep, but dozes, trying to be on the alert in case of danger. In addition, this posture can indicate health problems.

If the cat is fluffed up, his hair is bristling, and his sleep is sensitive and restless, most likely he is unhealthy, says veterinarian Alexei Filatov. - Take a closer look: if at the same time the pet's appetite has also worsened, or the animal has become less playful - urgently show it to the doctor!

FOLLOW THE TAIL

With sleep, everything seems to be clear. And how to understand the awake kitty?

The best indicator of a cat's mood is its tail. If the tail pointing up, then this indicates a good mood, a desire to communicate with a person. active wobbling tail from side to side in a cat means discontent and irritation. If at the same time the cat begins to press its ears, then it may even attack, so it is better to move away from the angry pet. And here twitching at the tip of the tail speaks of curiosity and willingness to play. Dropped and calmly hanging tail testifies to a calm and peaceful state, - says Maria Tuvashkina.

BY THE WAY

If a cat lightly butts your head, it means that she asks for affection or wants to thank you for something. Trampling in one place can be regarded as a real declaration of love. And if the cat impatiently “dances”, slightly lifting its front paws from the floor (some cats like to do this at the scratching post), then it welcomes someone very long-awaited. A quick lick of the front paw or nose means excitement and indecision, and vertically raised ears - curiosity.

BRIEF CAT DICTIONARY

Meowing is also a full-fledged language! No wonder cats use it primarily to talk to a person, and much less often to communicate with each other. With the help of meowing, the cat informs when it is hungry, wants affection, asks to leave the room or the house. But for communication with relatives, cats usually use other sounds - for example, hissing or snorting, when the cat is annoyed or afraid, preparing to attack or defend itself.

Moore - calmness

Meow - greeting, request

Intermittent meow - a response to a person's appeal

Rumbling - discontent, warning of an attack

Howling - anger

Short scream - fright

Hissing - ready for defense

Cats and dogs have their own individual features and character. Especially cats tend to express themselves by imitating humans. To do this, they have many opportunities - ears, eyes, paws, mustaches and of course. You can understand the language of cats by reading in detail and studying the signals that the pet is trying to convey to its owner.

In the course of research carried out by scientists from different countries, it became known that cats are capable of making over 60 different sounds. So, cats can have a variety of vibrations, as well as express their own emotional condition using body language.

The most powerful pointer in cats is the tail. Unlike a dog, a cat's tail is much more mobile and performs the function of a kind of balancer.

In addition, the tail in cats is an indicator of mood. A sharply raised tail, pointing straight up, means great enthusiasm, greeting and expression of joy. Such a signal can be intended not only for the owner who has returned from work, but also for his relatives whom the cat or cat met on the street. The greeting involves not only the tail, but also the bending of the body and a soft purr.

You can tell by the tail following states cats:

drooping tail- the cat feels frightened or slightly dissatisfied. In such cases, it is better to leave the animal alone.

Tail twitching or jerky flicking- indicate the degree of nervousness. The cat wants to be alone and it is best not to disturb her. In this case, the animal does not intend to enter into a discussion with its owner.

Tail tip twitching- a manifestation of strong concern. The animal understands human speech and may show dissatisfaction about this if it hears unflattering comments about its person.

Ruffled hair on the tail- strong rage and undisguised anger. The cat is ready to attack.

tucked tail between hind limbs - feeling of fear.

Limb communication

If the pet gently touches with its fluffy paws and at the same time releases its claws, then the animal is content and in a state of complete peace. Being in a good mood and feeling bliss, cats begin to mentally return to the period early age. As a small kitten, the animal sucked mother's milk and pawed her belly. In addition to paw movements, the cat begins to purr gently and soothingly.

Note! In such moments of bliss, the cat can forget and begin to release its claws, digging into the body of the owner. It is not recommended to scold and sharply pull a pet, as this can greatly offend an impressionable animal. It is best to carefully shift the cat and stroke it.

Very often, cats show their love for the owner, gently hugging their paws. But if the paw is raised sharply upwards, while the claws are released, it means that the cat is going to defend itself, it is determined.

Read also: Laser pointer for cats: fun and danger in one bottle

Often, a pet can ask for something, using for this not only the vocal cords and meowing invitingly, but also touching the owner with its paws. Sometimes claws are used for this to draw attention to themselves. Thus, the cat may ask for food, favorite toys, or wants to caress, demanding attention.

Expression of emotions through the ears and eyes

The ears of cats are excellent radars designed to capture various sound waves. It is noteworthy that an awake cat can pick up the sound of rodents at a distance of more than 20 meters. Looking for the source of the sound, the cat can rotate auricle 180 degrees. More than 30 different muscles are involved in the unique ability of the ear to bend, snuggle and turn.

There are a number of emotions expressed through the position of the ears:

good mood and positive attitude a cat can express with its ears. In this case, they will be strictly ahead at the crown.

The location of the ears different sides or flat - means that the cat is at a loss, not understanding what is happening.

Lowered or pressed ears - a signal to attack, the pet is ready to defend itself and it is better to leave it alone.

Ears turned and pressed back - an attack of rage and anger.

Ear twitching means that the cat is nervous and irritated. This movement is often seen when a pet is watching a potential victim.

Not only the ears of cats can indicate the mood of the animal. visual organ Eyes, like those of humans, can express a whole range of emotions. When a pet looks with an open, calm look, it means that she is happy with everything or is interested in the ongoing action. There is an opinion among breeders and cat lovers that with the help of a look a cat can express its love for the owner. In this case, the animal looks long and faithfully directly into the eyes of its owner, and then slowly closes its eyes.

How to understand a cat by meowing

By meowing, you can understand the whole range of emotions felt by a cat or a cat. Most Cats express their emotions through gestures or facial expressions. Sounds cats and cats use, emphasizing their state or experienced emotions. In most cases, cats purr. This is a special sound, created not by all vocal cords, but by vibrations of the upper register. The main purpose of purring is an expression of peace and love for the owner.

Note! Some owners note that the cat begins to purr, expressing their displeasure or resentment.

A cat can not only purr, but also hiss, howl, chirp and make crackling sounds.

Short, cooing sounds, cats publish after a hearty dinner, as well as in the process of stroking their owner or in anticipation of a treat.

Hiss means that the animal does not want to make contact, is very frightened and collected for an attack.

Howl and grumble pet can during the onset of the hunt. The animal shows its condition and calls the opposite sex.

Meowing on high notes, a cat or a cat is trying to attract its owner or an outsider.

Specific chirping sounds and crackles are capable of publishing cats calling their grown kittens.

The independent and self-sufficient nature of cats has long been legendary. And for good reason, because this is the only wild animal that agrees to live next to a person. Making friends with a cat is easy - all you need is a little time, patience and observation. And most importantly - always respect her interests and personal space.

It is easy to understand what exactly she wants to tell you. Body language, look, sounds, facial expressions - this is all that with which the cat tries to "get through" to you, talking like a bad person those who know the language foreigner - slowly and distinctly.
Cats use more than 25 body positions, for all occasions.

Pose

Straight back, light, dancing gait, high tail vibrating– “Bliss! I am content with life."
The cat persistently touches you with its paw Look, she wants something from you!
Gently caresses you- pleasure, gratitude.
The cat headbutts you– a very eloquent gesture of gratitude.
Arched back, hair on end, ears flattened- rage, . The cat is very scared and wants to appear "big and scary". At the same time, in small kittens, the same posture can mean “play with me, please!”
Fingering with paws on the stomach or knees of the owner, so-called " milk step". This is how kittens get milk from their mother cat. An adult animal thus expresses its sincere affection for you. “I feel so good and comfortable!” - as she says.
The cat persistently rubs against your legs Look, she really needs something from you! This is how pets attract the attention of their owners. And it is quite possible that she “marks” you with her smell in this way.
The cat lies on its side or on its back, exposing its belly- trust or fighting posture, depending on the circumstances. In relation to the owners or other cats, this is a gesture of complete trust. But it can also be a sign of threat in relation to enemies - dogs or other predators. In such a situation, the cat rolls onto its back, freeing all 4 paws to attack.
Sitting in one place, facing you- request. For example, if she sits at the door like this, “Open the door, please!”. He sits by the bowl - "Give me something to eat, give me!"
Hiding his head while playing- a variant of the game of hide and seek. “Come on, try to find me!”
Turns its back to you with its tail held high- absolute trust, gratitude. The same is true if the cat is sitting with its back turned to you.

Paws

Bent front legs The cat is angry and ready to attack.
bent hind legs - The cat is very scared. This posture signifies self-doubt and fear.
The cat is holding a relaxed front paw- confusion. She seems to ask: “What is this?!”.
Gently touches you with a paw, or smoothly stretches it to your face- interest. The cat really wants attention and affection from you.
Loudly scratching something with claws- attracts attention.

Head

The cat "nods" its head several times- part of the greeting pose. Along with a highly raised tail and a welcoming purr.
Head extended forward- the cat is ready to communicate with you. She seems to say: “Well, what do you want?”
Head down, cat hides its eyes- fatigue, indifference, apathy. "Well, what else do you need?" she says.
Downturned mustache- disappointment, fatigue. It is possible that the cat is sick.

Ears

Ears pressed to the head- defending or preparing to attack. If you notice such a pose in a cat without any apparent reason– perhaps she messed up something and is afraid of your reaction. At the same time, ears flattened during play are normal, especially during "hunting" games. And in combination with sharp movements of the tail - the cat is very annoyed with something.
Ears alert and moving like "radar"- interest. The animal carefully listens to what is happening around, assesses the situation.
Ears twitch violently- anxiety. Pay attention - something is obviously disturbing your pet. For example, a cat may twitch its ear several times to ward off a pesky insect.
Ears upright- curiosity. Hence the saying: "ears on top."
Ears forward- calmness, interest.

Mouth and chin

twitching underlip and chin- disappointment, annoyance. It often happens if the cat got something tasty for her, or she missed the prey.
cat licks lips- an eloquent sign of pleasure familiar to everyone after the animal has eaten something tasty. But sometimes it can be a signal of concern or interest in something unfamiliar.
The tip of a relaxed tongue is visible- bliss! The cat is relaxed and in the most complacent mood.
Licks our lips at the same time- confusion, bewilderment.
Quick licking of one front paw- excitement, confusion. The cat buys time, not knowing what to do.
Defiantly licks, turning his back to you- resentment. The cat clearly tells you: “You made me uncomfortable, I am very offended!”

Eyes

Dilated pupils during the day, in bright light- a sign of caution. And in combination with a lowered head, flattened ears, and an unblinking gaze - a clear message “Don't touch me! Otherwise, it will be very bad for you ... "
half closed eyes- a sign of trust, friendliness and comfort. Nothing threatens the cat, she is calm, relaxed, and immersed in her dreams ...
Direct "unseeing" look of a calmly sitting cat- analogue of sleep with open eyes.
Slow blinking eyes- a sign of location and affection for you. It doesn't matter if the cat winked at you in a friendly way.
Dozing, sitting with closed eyes- peacefulness, bliss.
The eyes are closed, but the ears are pressed to the head.- impatience. "Well, hurry, hurry!" - says the cat.
Big eyes combined with flattened ears- warning, threat. The cat is scared and ready to attack.
Big eyes combined with wide pupils during the day- fear. The cat is paralyzed with fear.

Tail

Highly carried, fluttering tail- everything is great. Life is good!
Tail held high sudden movement - greetings. This is how cats greet other cats and people.
Tail upturned with a curled tip- one of the elements of the dominant posture. This is how a cat walks down the street, considering himself the owner of this territory.
The tail is held high, but the tip is relaxed.- joy. "Life is Beautiful!"
Tail swings from side to side- dissatisfaction, irritation. The amplitude can be different - from a barely moving tip of the tail (slight dissatisfaction) and up to the moment when the cat in a rage whips its tail on the sides.
The tail is carried down and ruffled- alertness, anxiety. The cat clearly does not know what to do in this situation.
The tail is motionless below- disgust. The cat, as it were, asks: “what is this disgusting ?!”
Tail tucked between paws- extreme horror, panic. The animal really needs your help and support!
Highly carried, tense tail with fluffy hair- aggression. The cat clearly considers himself the main one in the house, and clearly demonstrates to you who is the “leader of the pride” here.
The cat wiggles its tail- curiosity. You can often observe when your pet is hunting, or during "hunting" games.

Alarms

Hard breath open mouth - overheating, extreme fatigue, pain.
Nervous "wave" in wool- constant irritation, anxiety, fear.
Visible third eyelid- an alarm signal! The cat is very tired, sleepy or sick.
Ears are lowered in different directions on the sides of the head- relaxation, apathy, severe fatigue. "I'm powerless ..." - says the cat.

And most importantly, the voice

The voice capabilities of cats are extremely rich, and are not limited to the banal "meow" as most people think. A cat can make more than 15 sounds. Of these, the main ones are 8 consonants (“m”, “n”, “p”, “g”, “x”, “f”, “v”, “p”) and 3 vowels (“a”, “o ”, “u”)

Even the usual “meow” a cat can pronounce in different ways, depending on what she wants to say - from a short “hello!” to the uttered in the hearts "let's get out!".

When talking to a person, a cat begins with monosyllabic expressions - for example, "mr!". If you do not understand point-blank what they want from you, the cat becomes more eloquent. She expands the range of sounds, vowels appear in her speech - for example, “m-u-r-r-r!”.

low sounds in the voice of a cat express fear and aggression, high - pleasure.
meow- most often a greeting or request.
Intermittent "me-u-u!", turning into a screech- the cat responds to your words.
Purring- this is not only a sign of pleasure. She may well be excited, saddened or annoyed by something. By purring, the cat soothes and relaxes itself and you. Even seriously ill and dying cats can purr.
Calm purring- pleasure.
Displeased purr- pain, suffering.
Quiet displeased purring, turning into a distinct rumbling- "Pay attention! My patience is running out!"
Short "mr!", depending on intonation- attracting attention or a question.
Interrogative purr- the cat really needs your attention!
Rumbling- the animal is dissatisfied with something.
howl- anger, intense irritation.
Short cry- the cat is scared.
long cry- pain, despair, aggression.
Hissing, snorting, growling- all these are sounds with which the cat expresses its displeasure or irritation. Moreover, with a hiss, the cat warns: “Don’t come near me!”, With a snort, it drives away potential enemies (“I’ll attack now!”). If that doesn't help, the cat will move on to grumbling, the last warning before a furious growl.
Clattering teeth- a peculiar sound, meaning disappointment and annoyance. Often it can be heard from a cat when she is watching birds or hunting flies. It can be roughly translated as: “Damn, five didn’t work out! What a shame!

What not to do

If you do not want to ruin your relationship with your pet once and for all, never:

don't yell at him
don't hit him - not even symbolically, with a rag or a newspaper! The cat will never forgive you for this.
do not wake a sleeping cat unless absolutely necessary
do not disturb her while eating, when she is resting or washing herself
do not let children mistreat the cat, disturb her. “He’s still small” is not an excuse. They brought an animal - take the time to explain to the child what is good and what is bad.