I have noticed something about humans: they have a very hard time speaking any language but their own. And even then, they are pretty bad at understanding each other. So I thought I would do you people a favor and spell out some cat language for you! Of course, cat language is usually non-vocal, so fortunately you don’t have to learn any actual words or worry about accents.
If you are a cat, these are all really basic, so try not to laugh — if humans are reading this, it means at least they are trying.
- If you’re holding a cat and she starts washing herself furiously after you put her down, she is licking off the human cooties. Yes, really! She is covering your stinky human smell with her regular scent so she can feel like herself again.
- When a cat is swishing his tail back and forth, he is mad! So do not touch him. It is usually dog people who mistake this angry tail swishing for tail wagging, and they are totally wrong. We kitties are friendly when we have our tails up. When a cat’s tail is not only up, but is curling over so it looks like a question mark, it means he is in an exceptionally friendly mood.
- Yes, headbutting is a sign of liking someone or something, but don’t take it too personally. I headbutt my human, but I also headbutt the sofa.
- When we roll on our backs and expose our tummies, it means we are happy! There is one way to instantly make many kitties unhappy when they are doing this, and that is to actually touch their tummies! We cats do not understand why you humans persist with this. Only a limited number of kitties like their tummies rubbed, and once you have found out which side we are on, that is not going to change.
- If a cat rubs up against your legs when you are getting her breakfast or dinner, it means she is excited that she is about to get fed! It is more a display of enthusiasm than affection. She is also marking you so that other kitties know that the food preparer belongs to her and no other kitty!
- If a cat loves and trusts you, he will sit a few feet away from you with his back to you. The meaning of this is twofold: he feels safe enough not to have to face you, and he is keeping an eye out for intruders so he can protect you, or at least let you know if there is an invasion going on!
- Yes, you can send your cat a warm greeting by blinking at her, but make sure that as soon as you are done blinking, look away! It is rude to keep staring at a kitty after you have done the “slow blink.” In fact, we are kind of annoyed by it. If you look away, most of the time, so will your cat. If you both stay there without looking at each other or vocalizing, it is a “cat hangout” — the same way we cats hang around with each other. So if you and your cat do this, it is like you have joined the kitty club, at least temporarily.
Do you like my kitty language tips? Are there any more you would like me to explain?
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Questions? Questions. Questions. I have one (or three or more) But before I get onto that I liked reading the article, a interesting alternate view of life as a cat. I love the idea that cats have as strong an attachment to sofas as to humans. I would also like to say I used to believe that cat wagging tails was a sign of anger for many many years but I have had paused to reflect more on this. It seems to me they do it when there is nothing to be angry about as well, so maybe it is also a “high alert level” signal.
Anyhow, back to this cat thing. What does it mean when cats kneed you, especially when you are comfortable in your bed. Do they think that inflicting pain on you is a sign of affection? Are you too hard and uncomfortable for them? Or too soft? Do they want to know if their claws are working? This has puzzled me for years.
Those were very good tips, Sparkle! Our humans can never read these enough times, being humans and all…
Wonderfully written! Hope all humans read this so maybe they can have a little understanding. They are pretty thick-headed
Oh theese one is a good one! Great tips for sure!
Mom is good with all of these Spitty! I am pretty proud of her right now! Thanks for posting these!
Marty
OMC I was looking at Spitty Sparkle, My Bad *shameface* PLEASE forgive me *blushing* I would NEVER confuse the two of you, I just looked up and saw he had posted and his name slipped in, I am a VERY EMBARRASSED kitty right now. I am going to go hide in a dark place right now………..
Sparkle… Spitty – it’s not hard to get a little scrambled! So don’t worry, it’s all good. 🙂
still hiding………might come out tomorrow……..
Belly rubbing ? no question ! none of my cats like that ! The waving tail is always the big misunderstanding between cats and dogs ! Having cats since 50 years made me learn their language, lol !
In this house – MEOW means NOW! heh heh heh
Good tips Sparkle! Don’t forget about those hidden buttons that humans some times touch by mistake turning on the crazy and attack mode!
Wow Sparkle, the Human wants to know if the second-to-last-one is really true because if it is, it’s the first thing she can really cling to to believe I might, possibly, actually like her a little bit, because I do that ALL THE TIME.
Thank you, Sparkle, for deciphering our language for the humans. Though we’re still not sure that they will get.
I hope TW did more than read this because it’s important that she understands it, even if I send mixed signalsl. I’ll bite her no matter what mood I’m in. Yes, we have staredowns and she even claims she wins when I can’t stand her ugliness anymore.
Our Mommy is pretty good. She was raised by cats so she knows what wes is saying. Daddy, however, was a dog man and mes been working on him for years!!
Sometimes me think he has it, then he treats us like dogs!
Kisses
Nellie
My Grace likes her tummy rubbed…but ONLY in private…when nobody else can see her. It must be she and I, alone, in the bathroom. She doesn’t even like to be petted anymore, but she still likes her tummy rubbed by me. It’s weird.
You made us laugh about headbutting the sofa! And our mom said she didn’t have much faith in a kitty defending her but could believe they would alert her to danger by running away. The nerve!
More humans need to understand these great tips Sparkle! And we are LOL’ing over the whole human cooties thing! Now when we hug our ginger Fennie and she starts saying “no, no, no, no” we understand what she is so upset about!!!
We like our tummies rubbed! Our mommy understands us pretty well but she’s not listening to my demands to open the door these days.
We MOLed about headbutting the sofa. So true!
Oh Sparkle that is such a great description of our signs. Dad is really good with this stuff but some of his friends! Wow are they thick.
Purrs
the humans are duly informed now. great job sparkle.
Mum always complains she gets the bum end in bed. I like to lie on her tummy facing away from her with my butt in her face. If I lie on my dad I face him. Now she realises it is because I am protecting her.
Thank you Sparkle. Now I understand my kitties language more.
THE “KISSY EYE” exchange is especially important Sparkle and adding the tip about looking away after the exchange and just being still is one I simply must teach Dad…he just keeps staring….sheesh! I do want to note that perhaps I am a bit different from other cats…in that I actually DO sort of wag my tail when I am enjoying being petted by my humans. I am not annoyed…and I always look back for more if they stop. Weird, huh?
I’m showing all of these to my human as I write! She needs a refresher course from time to time! Meow and Namaste! ~Pippy the Feline Yogini
Great job, Sparkle! You described these all very well.
Purr-fect! Thanks for adding headbutting the sofa. Nothing pursonal, mom! Purrs…
Thanks Sparkle. Add that if boy cats still have their pompoms they will yowl and yowl and yowl and yowl until their pompoms are no more.
Thanks, this was great! I need to show this to my secretary!
Very good advice Sparkle..now if the peoples just listen to what you say!
Humans need all the tips they can get and repeatedly ;-0 The biggest faux-pas I see if the assumed tummy rub invite.
What great kitty language and communication tips!!!
I’m so glad you talked about humans looking away after the slow blink. Glogirly likes to stare at me….probably because I’m so beautiful, but she needs to stop already with the stare downs!
; ) Katie
Thank you for clearing these things up, Sparkle. Those humans need all the help they can get. I hope your advice will make a difference!
Thank you for your cat language lessons! I am guilty about touching my boys’ tummies when they are exposed. Can’t help it…but I have to control myself!
My rescue kitty George, who is a fine fellow, guards me when I’m out in the back yard gardening. He keeps a sharp eye out for any interloper, and he scolds me in no uncertain terms if I should go out in front near the street (“it’s dangerous out there! there are dogs and cars and who knows what else! Get away from there right now!”).
My husband refuses to learn basic cat language – and then complains when he gets bit – serves him right. Interesting about that sitting with back to the human – I always figured I was being pointedly ignored. Now I know better!
oh! finally! More people need to read about this. I have to say, though, MomFOD is lucky. we have four tummy rub lovers in this house. She has yet to find out that doesn’t like it. She must have won the tummy lottery. Great article! – Crepes.
All very true. I do so wish I could get the woman to stop with the tummy thing…
Thanks for all those explanations. I think our Person has them pretty figured out. Some of us don’t like to be touched at all. Our Maggie, loves to have her tummy rubbed. She is so silly. Hope you have a fantastic day.
Well, my sisfur, Morticia, is the exception that proves the rule in the tail-wagging/waving category. She waves her tail when she’s HAPPY! Purrs often at the same time, too!
You can’t stereotype that girl! MOL
I DON’T like my tummy bothered with, unless I’m curled in a circle in MomKatt’s lap. Then sometimes she’ll rub there while I’m sleeping. I DO like that. I purr very loudly when that happens.
Purrz!
Selina
well, I am one of the exceptions to the rule about the tummy. When I show my tummy I am BEGGING for tummy rubs! I LOVE having my ample belleh rubbed! Love, Cody
Thunder has taught me that when he puts his tail up high and walks away, he wants me to follow him. Of course, I do.
You did good!
Nicki ALWAYS washes the human cooties off him. LOL.
We enjoyed those too…and at least our human is trying….
We enjoyed those Sparkle and I hope the humans are paying attention!
That’s great info for my Mum! She thinks that when I sit with my back to her that I’m mad…now she knows better.
Thanks fur sharing Sparkle, that was some furry interesting info mew shared!!! 😀
XOX Purrs Basil XOX
BRAVO FOR A SPOT ON TRANSLATION. YOU ARE VERY GOOD AT FELINESE
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF
It’s easy when you know how! Trouble is humans are very VERY thick!! Let’s hope they read this and get educated!! 🙂
Thanks for all the great tips, Sparkle. We think #1 knows cat pretty well!
Purrs,
The Chans
Our human is good at some of these but there are a couple of areas which need more attention.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
We purr all humans will learn these basic body language signs.
We kitties are not really that hard to figure out 😉
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure,JJ
and Angels Tiger and Tillie