The spot-the-kitty cat body-language interpreter

A letter regarding cat-human communication

Dear Baker,

I’ve been having a lot of problems communicating with my human and I wonder if you could help me.  When I try to tell my human that I love them, they get angry with me.  What is up with humans?  How do they show love?  Why can’t they appreciate simple gestures like a love-nip or a little affectionate scratching?

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Yours in confusion,

Scratchy-Bitey Kitty, TO

 

Dear S-B K,

Not to worry; we all have the same issues from time to time with our humans.  The fact is, cats’ body parts move differently than humans’ do.  You need to instruct your human as to how to interpret your attempts to communicate.

Here is a list of cat body language messages.  Try printing it off and leaving it in a location where your human can find it easily, such as  tucked into the refrigerator door or on top of the toilet.  We hope this facilitates better communication between you and your human.

THE SPOT-THE-KITTY CAT BODY LANGUAGE GUIDE

EARS:  Unlike humans, cats can move their ears into a variety of expressive positions.  Here are a few of the most important:

  • Ear swivel – “I think I heard someone say my name.”
  • Second ear swivel – “Yeah, that was definitely my name. Treat?”
  • Ears flattened (aka. ‘Airplane ears.’) – “Stop what you’re doing, right now!”
baker body language translator

Baker demonstrates airplane ears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAIL: Because they do not have tails, humans rarely interpret tail-language correctly.

  • Tail up – “I’m happy!”
  • Tip flick – “I’m getting ticked off.”
  • Tail flat – “Watch it!”
  • Tail puffed out – “I’m freaked out, but I think I like it!”

PHEROMONES:  Cats have pheromone-producing glands in their faces, heads, and the pads of their feet.  They spread their pheromones on things that belong to them, to mark their territory.  If a cat is scenting its human, it means the cat loves its human so much that it wants to claim ownership of said human.

  • Head-butt – “I love you. You’re mine.”
  • Face-swipe – “I love you. You’re mine.”
  • Human scratching post – “I love you. You’re mine.”
lance body language translator

Lance demonstrates head-butting.

OTHER: Cats have a variety of other non-verbal signals they use to communicate:

  • Mouth ajar – “I think I hear a bird!”
  • Whiskers forward – “I think I hear a can-opener!”
  • Fur up – “I think I hear a dog/vacuum!”
  • Hiding under bed – “Yeah, that was definitely a dog/vacuum.  Tell me when it’s safe to come out!”

– By K.I Borrowman

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