Cat Body Language Guide

[kitfallen]

Since practically everyone has trouble with basic cat body language, here are some rules.

1) Cats don't 'wag' their tails because they're happy. If anything they'll 'lash' their tails from side to side in a display of anger.

2) Just because a cat is purring doesn't mean they're happy. Cats also purr because they're nervous or scared. Think of

Comments

[mako_pretty]

5) Just because their ears are laid back doesn't mean a cat is pissed off. Cats also lay their ears back to get them out of the way so they can be petted, or so they can listen to something behind them.

I had a cat that almost always had her ears back, but she was unusually gentle and even tempered. I think that most of these signs are important, but it's good to watch the cat's behavior in general too. Cats are notoriously weird and different. *points to rule 4* It kind of covers cats in general, not just their preferred style of petting. I can't think of an another animal with so many varied personalities or traits.

And I'm sure this makes me sound mean, but embarrassed cats are totally cute to me.

[kitfallen]

These are sort of general, and obviously don't apply to all cats ever, lol.

When you work up close and with a lot of animals, you're more able to identify their personalities better--I'm sure if I worked with a load of hamsters all the time I'd learn their different personalities more.

Embarrassed cats are SO cute. They totes do the "YOU DIDN'T SEE THAT" thing, and it's kind of hilarious. <3

I think I might try to add images to this in a moment.

[mako_pretty]

It's funny, I've worked with rats, dogs, and horses, and they seem far more predictable. Which is not to say that they don't have their own special personalities at all, cats just seem to make their own rules, lol.

Eeh, I'm not alone! I love how indignant they are. Or the occasional 'It's so your fault' look. That one is priceless.

...You should add images. XD

[kitfallen]

Really? Maybe it's just that cats have a complicated way of socializing compared to most animals. Cats are weird in that they're perfectly happy being alone but also are able to live together in colonies.

XD yessss. Oh they're so hilarious like that. They get all pissy and blame everyone else.

I should. I gotta find the right sort of cat expressions first.

[vanishing_cake]

ORLY?

[kitfallen]

[vanishing_cake]

[kitfallen]

[kitfallen]

Lol, cats have lot more kinds of socializing than dogs do, and so they develop more variety and personality from that--at least I believe that's how the theory goes.

[felinewishes]

I know a ton of people who treat their cat the same as the dog and expect the same results. :| cats =/= dogs. Cats are different cat to cat, but if you actually play with them and pet them, they're very loving little dears.