Feline Physics Law
Law of Cat Inertia
A cat will stretch to a distance proportional to the length of the nap just taken.
Cat talk site trim

Cat Talk and Body Language Tutorial
for Better Animal Communication


Cat Body Language:
How Cats Show What is on Their Minds


Dogs are man's best friend,
and cats consider all humans as "staff".

Mother cats talk a lot to their kittens with very loving sounds, even to human ears. As the kittens mature and develop their good eyesight the mother relies more on her cat body language. Silent cat body language is safer to use in the wild. However, we cats living with humans find it necessary, and more effective, to make vocal sounds rather than rely on our body language. Humans don't understand our cat body language but a loud meow often gets results.

The main cat body language communication device is the tail, followed by the ears, eyes, and whiskers. Here are some of the tail, ears, eyes and whiskers messages:

  • Cat contented with tail up.

    Greeting Body Language:

    Tail straight up high and the end slowly moving left and right:

    "Hi! I'm pleased to see you. I'm very contented with the way things are right now. You have been doing a good job for me lately. Do you have a treat for me?"

  • Cat looking for action.

    Readiness Body Language:

    Tail whipping rapidly left and right, level at back height. Head and ears moving around surveying area:

    "I'm ready for some action. Bring it on! I'm looking for something to smack!"

  • Cat ready for action.

    Stalking Body Language:

    Focused attention on prey. Ready to pounce and kill (or more likely, to play).

    "That looks like a zebra at the water hole. Think I'll pounce on it!"

  • Cat listening for danger or whatever.

    Security Survey Body Language:

    Ears are very active twisting in all directions: Surveying the surroundings for dangers or whatever.

    "Hmmmm, do I hear a gazelle in the grass, or is that the refrigerator door opening?"

  • Cat resting with eyes closed.

    Resting and Alert Body Language:

    Eyes closed but ears rotating and monitoring for any activity in area. Paw tucked in. (No need for claws right now. All is safe here.):

    "Don't mess with me right now!
    I'm meditating and doing my purring mantra."

  • Cat discusted and irritated!'

    Irritated Body Language:

    Facing away with tail flipping rapidly, fully, and thumping floor noisily.

    "Hey! I'm not happy with this situation! I don't like this at all! I'm going to ignore you! Get out of my face!"

  • Cat saying, 'No! I don't like that!'

    Disapproval Body Language:

    Shaking head momentarily. Often turns and walks away.

    "No! Stop it! I don't like that!"

  • Cat watching with great interest.

    Playful Hunting Body Language:

    Ears and whiskers forward; eyes wide open and round:

    "That is really interesting! I wonder if I should play with it or eat it?"

Click here for
More Cat Body Language:
The "In-Your-Face" Yawn

Recommended Books.
Search on Amazon.com for details and discount.


(Search a few words of title.)
-- Cat Body Language Phrasebook: 100 Ways to Read Their Signals by Trevor Warner.
-- Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques by Wendy Christensen.
-- Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats by Karen Pryor.
-- The New Encyclopedia of the Cat by Bruce Fogle.
-- What Is My Cat Thinking?: The Essential Guide to Understanding Pet Behavior by Gwen Bailey.
-- How To Say It to Your Cat: Understanding and Communicating with Your Feline by Janine Adams.
-- The Body Language and Emotion of Cats by Myrna Milani.
-- Cat Body Language: The Secrets of Communicating with Your Cat by Sonya Fitzpatrick.
-- Cats for Dummies by Gina Spadafori.
-- Kittens for Dummies by Dusty Rainbolt.
-- The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Questions by Arden Moore.
-- Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss by Pam Johnson-Bennett.
-- The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know by Tracie Hotchner.
-- The Cat Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on Lifetime Maintenance by Sam Stall.
-- The Humane Society Complete Guide to Cat Care by Wendy Christensen.
-- Cat Training by Miriam Fields.
-- Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace With More Than One Cat by Pam Johnson.
-- Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul: Stories of Feline Affection by Mark Victor Hansen.
-- Cat by Matthew Van Fleet.
-- All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopmann.
-- The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss.
-- Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle.
-- Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant.
-- The Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier.
-- Your Cat: Simple New Secrets by Elizabeth M. Hodgkins.
-- The Cat Who Went into the Closet by Lilian Jackson Braun.
-- True Stories of Animal Communication by Monica Diedrich.
-- The Design of Animal Communication by Marc D. Hauser.
-- Revelations of Animal Communication by Joan Ranquet.
-- Evolution of Animal Communication by William A. Searcy.
-- A Book About Animal Communication by Preszler and June.
-- Principles of Animal Communication by J. W. Bradbury.
-- Vibrational Communication in Animals by Peggy Hill.
-- Animal Communication Networks by McGregor.
-- Animal Communication (Nature Files) by Anita Ganeri.
-- How Animals Communicate by Betty Tatham.
-- Animal Communication (Amazing Animal Facts) by Janet McDonnell.
-- The Mysteries of Animal Communication by Margery Facklam.
-- A Study in Animal Communication by Flora Davis.
Cat talk site trim.

An Intimate Visit with My Cat Flash

Flash Explains Cat Talk and Cat Body Language

Cat Play is Serious and Always Fun

More About Our Precious Cat Friends

 

"No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens."
-- Abraham Lincoln

 

Bookmark and Share