Simon's Cat Logic Explains How to Read a Cat's Body Language

From purrs that communicate contentment to meows that signify a need for attention, cats have numerous vocalizations that explain their wants. However, our feline friends also rely on a variety of non-vocal means to relay their emotions and opinions. In the latest episode of Simon’s Cat Logic cartoonist Simon Tofield of Simon’s Cat fame and feline behavior expert Nicky Trevorrow from Cat’s Protection translate the silent vocabulary of a cat’s body talk:

Rovers may roll over to have their tummies tickled, but this gesture has a different meaning when it comes to kitties. If your meowing friend exposes his or her midriff it is a sign of trust, not a request for a belly rub. Petting your pet’s paunch may result in being bitten by your kitten, no matter how much he or she loves you!
A cat’s tail can tell a lot to a pet parent. A twitch of its tip can show that your purring pal’s patience has run thin, while slow, side-to-side “wag” could mean that a cat is unclear about a situation. An upright, swaying tail is a happy wave to say “Hello, friend!”
Cats can figuratively have a word in our ear, if we know how to tune in, simply by using their ears to express emotion. The ears of a cat without concerns will face forward, but worries will cause their ears to turn to the side, and flattened ears are an indication that a cat feels in danger.
It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and the peepers of our pals who purr certainly provide pet parents with a peek into the cat’s inner psyche. Dilated pupils can display a feline’s frayed nerves, or they could be a sign of excitement as they prepare to pounce on unsuspecting prey, while a serene cat will “slow blink” to show a mellow frame of mind.

Is Your Cat Talking To You? is the latest in a line of Simon’s Cat Logic videos which combine feline-themed education and entertainment to explain the occasionally quirky comportment of our kitty companions. Other clips in the series include:

The Simon’s Cat Logic YouTube series is created by cartoonist Simon Tofield in conjunction with Cats Protection. Caring for approximately 200,000 cats and kittens each year at its 32 adoption centers and over 250 volunteer-run branches, Cats Protection is the largest feline welfare organization in the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: Simon’s Cat

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Grace Sydney

Grace Sydney is the Assistant Editor of CatTipper.com and DogTipper.com, covering rescue-related celebrity activities.