Cat body language

A relaxed cat feels safe and comfortable in its environment. You’ll often see this when the cat is resting or sleeping, but also when it walks around calmly or explores its surroundings with curiosity.

• Tail: gently wrapped around the body or held upright with a soft curl at the tip.
• Eyes: half-closed or slowly blinking, sometimes with slow blinks as a sign of trust.
• Ears: pointed forward, relaxed, and symmetrical.
• Back: loose and relaxed; the cat is often stretched out or lying on its side.
• Whiskers: neutral and slightly fanned outward.
• Mouth: closed and relaxed, with no tension around the muzzle.

A worried cat feels uncertain or uncomfortable. It is alert but not relaxed, trying to understand the situation and protect itself if necessary. This behavior can occur in response to unfamiliar sounds, new situations, or anything that feels out of place. In this state, the cat is often undecided—whether to observe or retreat.

• Tail: held low or pressed tightly against the body. Sometimes it moves slowly side to side, indicating doubt or discomfort.
• Eyes: wide open with dilated pupils, even in well-lit environments. The gaze is often alert and focused on a possible threat.
• Ears: turned backward or sideways, ready to catch surrounding sounds and assess danger.
• Back: slightly tense, sometimes slightly arched, with paws tucked under the body for a quick escape.
• Whiskers: pulled back, tight against the cheeks— a sign of insecurity.
• Mouth: closed, often with a tight jawline. When stress increases, the cat may swallow frequently or lick itself to self-soothe.

A worried cat typically tries to keep its distance and assess the situation from a safe spot. By staying calm and giving your cat time to adjust, you can help it feel more secure.

A cautious cat is alert but approaches a situation with hesitation. It feels uncertain about what to expect and tries to gather information in a safe way. This behavior is often seen when the cat is exploring a new object, person, or environment. Caution is a natural reaction that helps it avoid risks.

• Tail: low and close to the ground, sometimes gently swaying or with the tip trembling when in doubt.
• Eyes: wide open with medium to dilated pupils. The gaze often shifts between the new stimulus and the rest of the surroundings.
• Ears: gently pointed forward but constantly moving to pick up sounds. With increased uncertainty, they may rotate slightly backward.
• Back: slightly arched, with weight shifted a bit backward so the cat can retreat quickly if needed.
• Whiskers: slightly pointed forward, but less relaxed than in a curious state.
• Mouth: closed, with a tense jaw. You may occasionally see subtle swallowing or nose licking—signs of nervous tension.

A cautious cat needs to explore its environment at its own pace. By giving it time and not forcing interaction, you help it feel more secure and naturally build confidence.

An alert cat is fully concentrated on something that has caught its attention. This could be a sound, movement, or smell, and the behavior is often a sign of curiosity, hunting instinct, or caution. In this state, the cat assesses the situation before deciding whether to approach, attack, or retreat.

• Tail: often held horizontally or slightly raised, with a subtle twitch at the tip. During intense focus, the tail may stay still or move slowly back and forth.
• Eyes: wide open with round, slightly dilated pupils. The gaze is intensely focused on the object of interest.
• Ears: pointed forward or moving alternately to pick up sounds accurately.
• Back: slightly tense, often with the weight shifted forward, as if the cat is ready to respond.
• Whiskers: clearly pointed forward to better “read” the surroundings.
• Mouth: closed and neutral. Sometimes the upper lip lifts slightly, allowing the cat to analyze scents through the Jacobson’s organ.

In this alert posture, the cat often appears to be in a kind of “standby mode,” ready to react at the slightest change. This behavior is commonly seen when your cat watches birds outside, hears an unfamiliar sound, or encounters a new object in the house.

An irritated cat feels disturbed, frustrated, or uncomfortable. This behavior can occur when the cat is repeatedly petted despite no longer wanting attention, when it’s in a noisy environment, or when something is testing its patience. Irritation can quickly escalate into anger if the source isn’t removed.

• Tail: swishing back and forth with annoyance or tapping rhythmically on the ground. A quick, sharp flick is a clear warning.
• Eyes: narrowed with thin, slit-like pupils, often giving a direct and intense stare at the source of irritation.
• Ears: quickly turn backward or sideways, sometimes alternating to express discomfort.
• Back: tense and slightly arched, often with stiff, tight muscles.
• Whiskers: stiff and pointed forward, or slightly pulled back depending on the level of irritation.
• Mouth: closed with a tight jawline. As irritation builds, the cat may start to growl or give a short hiss.

An irritated cat usually gives clear signals that it wants to be left alone. Recognizing and respecting these signs can help prevent the irritation from turning into aggression.

A relaxed cat has a calm, loose body posture. The tail lies loosely alongside the body or is upright with a soft curl. The ears are pointed forward, the eyes are half-closed or blinking slowly, and the whiskers are in a neutral position.

A cat in pain is often quieter and appears tense. The back may be arched, and the tail is usually tightly pressed against the body. The eyes are often half-closed, and the ears turn slightly backward. Whiskers are drawn back, and the cat typically avoids being touched. Depending on where the pain is located, you may notice the cat moves less fluidly, limps, has trouble jumping, or licks unusual areas. In more severe cases, a cat may stop eating or show reduced appetite.

Do you suspect your cat is in pain or has stopped eating? Always contact your veterinarian.

A sick cat often sleeps more and lies in a tense position, such as resting on its chest with paws tucked underneath. They frequently seek out “strange” places to sleep and tend to withdraw more. The eyes often remain half-open, and they respond less alertly to sounds.

Do you think your cat may be ill? Always contact your veterinarian.

A cat’s tail is like a little emotional flagpole. Without saying a word, your cat communicates exactly how it feels through its tail. From curiosity to irritation, and from calm to excitement—the tail has already told you everything, if you just know what to look for. Let’s look at the different “tail signals” and discover what your cat really means:

• Straight up with a curl: friendly and happy
• Low and tight against the body: fear or uncertainty
• Puffed up: fear or threat
• Horizontal: alert and curious
• Gently quivering: excitement or affection, such as during a greeting

A cat in pain often lies in a tense, unnatural position. It may make itself small by tucking its legs tightly under its body or lie on one side to relieve pressure from a painful area. Even at rest, the muscles remain tense, and movement is typically minimized.

• Eyes: half-closed or squinting, sometimes with dilated pupils due to pain or stress. Squinting one eye can indicate eye pain.
• Ears: often slightly turned back or angled sideways, a sign of discomfort and alertness.
• Tail: tightly along the body or tucked underneath, sometimes with minimal movement when pain flares.
• Whiskers: pulled back and pressed tightly against the cheeks.

These subtle signs are easy to overlook but can be important indicators that your cat isn’t feeling well. Always contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is in pain.

A flicking tail may sound playful, but in cats, it’s usually a sign of irritation or excitement. Slow, sweeping movements indicate the cat is alert and focused. Quick, sharp flicks signal frustration or annoyance—and may serve as a warning to keep your distance.

While purring isn’t a body posture, it’s definitely a key part of feline communication. A cat’s purr is one of the most recognizable sounds to cat lovers. Cats often purr when they’re relaxed and content for example, while being petted or lounging in the sun. But purring isn’t always a sign of happiness. Cats can also purr to calm themselves when they’re stressed, anxious, or in pain. This soft, rhythmic sound has a soothing effect not only on us, but also on the cat itself. By paying attention to the rest of the cat’s body language such as ear position, eyes, and tail you can better understand why your cat is purring in that moment.