Answer: True
Pets don’t just use their ears for hearing—they also communicate with them! With 18 muscles in dogs’ ears and a remarkable 32 muscles in cats’ ears, both animals use these muscles to tilt, raise and rotate their ears. This allows them to communicate a wide range of emotions and signals, and their ears can tell us more than we might expect.
While humans rely on facial expressions and words, dogs and cats use their ears to share how they feel. Watching their ear movements can provide valuable insights into their emotional state.
Cats use their ears to express their emotions and intentions. A relaxed cat will hold their ears forward and slightly to the side. However, when something captures their attention, their ears will be alert and upright. The position of a cat's ears can give you clues about their mood or state of mind.
Cat ear positions give clear signals about how a cat is feeling. Ears held forward show contentment, while flattened ears suggest fear or aggression. According to the Feline Grimace Scale, ears flattened and rotated outward, along with squinted eyes, may indicate that a cat is in pain. Observing a cat’s ear position can help you gauge whether they’re in a playful mood or feeling defensive or in pain.
Dogs also use their ears to convey emotions. Relaxed dogs often have their ears facing forward or to the side, but if something interests them, their ears will perk up. Like cats, dogs rely on ear movements to signal different emotions or reactions.
When dogs’ ears are back, it can indicate fear, anxiety or aggression, depending on the situation. The more fearful a pet is, the farther back their ears may move. Ears that are held tightly pressed back signal a defensive position, and aggression may follow to protect themselves.
Maybe you remember the “bat signal” to summon Batman, and pets send signals, too—with their ears! A pet that’s relaxed and chill usually holds their ears forward and slightly to the side. If they’re listening to something interesting, their ears may twitch, be forward-facing and erect. And when your pet is feeling friendly and affectionate, they may lower their ears and move them back.
While pets definitely use their ears for hearing, their function goes beyond just sound detection—they play a key role in expressing emotions and communication!
Learn more about how to keep your pet’s ears in tip-top shape. >>
