The Many Faces of Your Cat: How to Read Their Body Language and Know What They're Thinking

Cat lovers know that there’s a lot more to our feline friends than meets the eye. Your cat may be affectionate and playful, but they’re also just as likely to scratch you in the face or bite your hand if they’re feeling threatened or scared. How can you tell what kind of mood your cat is in? It all comes down to reading their body language, because every movement and expression on your cat’s face has meaning.

Physical signs

Your cat might seem like a simple creature that doesn't have much going on in its head, but they are actually quite intelligent. Cats have different personalities just like humans do! Here are some easy ways you can tell what type of cat your cat is by observing the body language they show you.

- Signs that your cat is an extrovert: Cats that make themselves available for human interaction, exploring their surroundings in new situations.

Tail Positions

If you want to know what your cat is thinking, observing their tail position is a good place to start. Cats will often flick their tails quickly in either direction when they are feeling calm. However, if they are interested in something nearby or curious about something they smell, they'll hold their tails vertically instead. If a cat's tail feels like it is twitching back and forth on the ground or bedding that means that they are frustrated with what's going on around them. The same can be said for a constant wagging. The more energy the movement has, the more upset the cat is likely to be.

Facial expressions

So, you think your cat is happy? Sure, they may have had their perfect moment; a toy in their paw or a feather just beyond their reach. But they may also be very upset with you. It's difficult to tell with cats, but one way to get them going (whether it be rolling around on the floor or rubbing up against your legs) is by doing what comes naturally: petting them. Rubbing behind the ears is usually a good start. Cats have scent glands there so when you do this, they'll release pheromones that will make them feel content. Stroking from head to tail lets them know that everything is alright. After all, if anything were wrong, they would run away. Be careful not to pet too hard though as this can scare some cats who don't like being restrained.

Eye positions

One easy way to tell if your cat is in a bad mood is by observing their eye position. If they have one eye peeking out at you with the other tightly closed, they may be angry or annoyed. Likewise, a cat that has its eyes partially closed while fully facing you could mean they are tired, feeling sick, or irritated.

When both eyes are open but narrowed, it can mean your kitty is feeling mischievous or suspicious about what's going on around them. A happy cat will often leave their eyes wide open and unblinking while they examine things around them.

If your pet is squinting one eye, this typically means they are in pain. A drooping eyelid often indicates either drowsiness or illness. Meanwhile, a sideways glance can signify curiosity.

Kneading behavior

When you look at your cat, their eyes might appear in a few different positions. These are all indicative of how they are feeling. Cats with the peering type eye will have wide-open eyes which means they are surprised or interested in something. This type of eye position is common for when your cat is exploring new things or meeting a new person. If your cat's eyes seem small, this could be a sign that they are feeling stressed or threatened. It can also mean that they are not feeling well. Watch out for dilated pupils as well, which usually indicate fear. The third kind of eye placement is known as slit eyes, where the pupils are more slanted vertically rather than horizontally. Slit eyed cats generally want nothing to do with anything going on around them and will often turn away from you if you try to interact with them.

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