Cat Behavior Guide
Understand your cat's various behaviors for deeper communication.
Tail up
Holding tail high in the air
Meaning:
Positive emotion, friendliness, satisfaction
What to do:
Show affection and praise
Tail curled up
Tail curled like a question mark
Meaning:
Joy, curiosity
What to do:
Give toys and play together
Tail down
Tail hanging down
Meaning:
Anxiety, fear, submission
What to do:
Provide safe space and approach slowly
Tail wrapped
Wrapping tail around body
Meaning:
Safety, calmness, contentment
What to do:
Leave alone and keep them comfortable
Tail thrashing
Tail thrashing back and forth
Meaning:
Agitation, displeasure, aggressive intent
What to do:
Keep distance and move to safe place
Ears forward
Ears pointing forward
Meaning:
Curiosity, interest, friendliness
What to do:
Praise and give treats
Ears to the side
Ears to the side (airplane ears)
Meaning:
Tension, anxiety, alertness
What to do:
Speak gently and don't touch
Ears back
Ears flattened back
Meaning:
Fear, aggressive intent, anger
What to do:
Keep distance immediately and give space
Slow blinking
Slow blinking eye contact
Meaning:
Affection, trust, comfort
What to do:
Blink slowly back to show love
Dilated pupils
Pupils are dilated
Meaning:
Excitement, fear, interest
What to do:
Assess situation and check environment
Constricted pupils
Pupils are constricted
Meaning:
Aggressive, displeasure, anxiety
What to do:
Approach slowly and ensure safety
Belly display
Exposing belly
Meaning:
Trust, comfort (but don't touch)
What to do:
Don't touch belly, only pat the head
Side display
Making themselves look bigger
Meaning:
Threat, warning, confidence
What to do:
Keep distance and slowly retreat
Rolling
Rolling on the ground
Meaning:
Happiness, affection, seeking attention
What to do:
Give treats and play together
Bunting
Rubbing head or body against you
Meaning:
Affection display, marking territory
What to do:
Pet and show love
Kneading
Repeatedly pushing with front paws
Meaning:
Happiness, comfort, childhood memory
What to do:
Leave alone and enjoy their happiness
Purring
Making purring sound
Meaning:
Contentment, comfort, or stress
What to do:
Check situation and keep them comfortable
Meowing loudly
Loud meowing
Meaning:
Demanding attention, displeasure, or health issue
What to do:
Check what they need, visit vet if necessary
Growling
Growling sound
Meaning:
Displeasure, warning, self-defense
What to do:
Keep distance and ensure safety
Hissing
Hissing sound
Meaning:
Fear, threat, defense
What to do:
Keep distance immediately and move to safe place
Not eating
Refusing to eat
Meaning:
Stress, illness, or displeasure
What to do:
Visit vet for health check
Overeating
Eating excessively
Meaning:
Stress, anxiety, or habit
What to do:
Control feeding amount and increase activity
Food burying
Burying or hiding food
Meaning:
Storage instinct, displeasure, or protective instinct
What to do:
Control food amount and try different food