This document discusses how to interpret cats' body language and moods based on the positioning of their tails and ears. It explains that an upright or relaxed tail indicates alertness or relaxation, while a flared tail shows threat. Ear positions like forward, upright, back or flat also communicate moods like friendliness, alertness or agitation. Rapid tail movement or flattening ears and tail shows irritation or readiness to pounce. Understanding these signals helps owners know when a cat feels happy, nervous or wants to be left alone.

2. WHAT DO YOUR CAT'S
GESTURES MEAN?

3. While an entire book could
be written about how cats
communicate with just their
vocal chords …

4. … this short article is more
concerned with breaking down
the body language of cats.

5. You can gauge a lot about a
cat's mood and its intentions
by watching …

6. … just the position and
movement of its tail and the
arrangement of its ears.

7. WHAT A CAT'S TAIL SAYS
ABOUT ITS MOOD

8. While it is a common expression that eyes are the
windows to the soul, paying attention to a cat's tail is
the best way of sensing the animal's motives.

9. By noting the position and movement of your cat's tail,
you can distinguish between a happy cat and a
neurotic one.

10.  An upward-angled tail
indicates alertness.
 If the hairs on the tail
are relaxed, the cat is
indicating that it feels
either confidant
or relaxed.

11.  If the hairs on the tail
flare out like a pipe-
cleaner, then the cat is
feeling threatened and
should be left alone.
 A tail curled around
another body indicates
friendliness to that
animal or person.

12.  A tail that is hidden
away from view
indicates caution
and anxiety.
 A rapidly moving tail
indicates a very
different mood from
what people expect of
a dog.

13.  If the tail is thumping
against the ground in
rapid succession, this
is a sure sign that the
cat is getting irritated.
 If the tail is moving
slowly from side to
side, the cat is unsure
of something and is
looking to safely
examine it.

14. WHAT A CAT'S EARS SAY
ABOUT ITS MOOD

15. The positioning of a cat's ears is just as important to
understanding the cat's mood as its tail.

16. If your cat's ears are pointing forward, that is a good
sign he's in a good mood and maybe wants to play.

17. If your cat's ears are sticking straight up, they are
likely on the alert.
This gesture will usually pair with the
cat standing upright in order to better
react to surprises.

18. If your cat's ears are turned back, leave
them alone.
A cat exhibiting this sort of gesture
will likely growl or even hiss if
repeatedly bothered.

19. If your cat's ears are turned to the sides, the
cat is only nervous …
… and should be approached cautiously.

20. If you see a cat with his ears pointing back
and also flattened against his head …
… this is a cat that is ready to throw
down if approached.

21. Just think; if a cat is folding his ears against
his head …
… then he's not really willing to listen
to what you have to offer.

22. Another behavior that is nearly
instinctual to cats is the desire
to chase movement.

23. If you see a cat that locks its
eyes on something and seems
to rock its entire body back
and forth …

24. … flattening its ears, dilating
its pupils and slightly moving
its tail, the cat is ready to
pounce on whatever it sees.

25. If the cat seems fixated on
a hand or something else
you'd rather not have
clawed or bitten…

26. … the best answer is to
just freeze the
movement; this will snap
the cat out of its instinct.

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