Your young cat may not be a talker, but they’re actually communicating with you constantly! Learning your young cat’s body language can help you recognize how they may be feeling and adapt accordingly. Let’s review what your kitten is telling you without making a noise. We’ll focus in on their eyes, ears, tail and posture.
Eyes:
- Relaxed: Eyes that are soft (not wide open) and have a narrow pupil are usually a sign of relaxation. Your cat may slow blink at you as a friendly greeting.
- Stressed: Eyes that are wide and have dilated pupils can be a sign of stress or anxiety. Keep in mind that cats sometimes get dilated eyes in dark conditions, when they’ve enjoyed some catnip or when they’re otherwise stimulated.
Ears:
- Relaxed: Ears are in an upright and forward position. They may swivel toward sounds.
- Stressed: Your cat will flatten their ears against their head, sometimes called “airplane ears.”
Tail:
- Relaxed: An upright but loose tail means your cat is relaxed and confident. The tip of the tail is often gently curled.
- Stressed: An upright and tense tail is a sign of fear, especially if the fur is also puffed up. Some cats will hold their tail close to their body when stressed. Your cat may thrash their tail from side to side to tell you they’re annoyed. Tail swishing also happens when your cat is preparing to pounce.
Posture:
- Relaxed: Your cat may confidently approach you when comfortable and relaxed. They may also roll onto their back or stretch out in front of you.
- Stressed: A cat that is crouched low to the ground and slinking around is scared or anxious. A cat with an arched back and puffed-out fur and whiskers feels threatened.
Noticing when your young cat is feeling stressed or anxious is important. You can remove them from uncomfortable situations before they escalate toward extreme fear or aggression. Getting familiar with body language will also help you to monitor the relationship between cats in the home.
Your kitten’s body language could also provide hints that they’re not feeling well.
Find out what changes you might see if your cat is sick.
