As we all know, cats are adorable and loving animals who generally are very attached to their owners. Making them a part of our families is such a wonderful experience, but sometimes we may experience some trouble integrating them into our home.
The first step you need to take to improve the communication you have with your pet is to understand the methods they use to communicate. In this way we will be able to know how to react to facing inconveniences and build on interaction.
We should always consider that cats are extremely sensitive animals, and that small changes may alter their mood. So, differentiating if a cat is calm, nervous, or scared is a superpower for any owner.
There are a few signals that we can interpret in order to better understand our pet. Tail wags, purring and meowing are some of the resources your cat may be using to try to tell you something. Their way of communicating is way more subtle than other domestic animals, but if we work hard enough we can be able to dominate this skill. Keep on reading to discover some interesting advice on how to communicate with your cat,
Body language
If your cat is looking for affection, the message will be pretty clear. They typically parade in front of you multiple times, will come forward and even rub all over you. In this regard there is no confusion as they will be very persuasive. It is important to spend quality time with your pet, so he/she can feel loved and cared for. Remember that cats do not like to be petted in their belly, so better aim for their head or back.
On the other hand, when cats are paralized and alert, most likely they are intimidated by the situation; and if they suddenly become bristly, they could be scared. In any of these scenarios we should always be empathic and give the animal some space. Approaching the cat would be a very big mistake and trying to pet them would be even worse, the reaction could be aggressive. Give them some time to deal with the emotion and they will eventually calm down.
Tail wagging is one of the best clues on the emotional state of our pet. When their tail is pointing upwards it means they are happy, and if it is pointing down, it means they are sad. The tale between their legs, just as dogs, indicates fear. It is important that if we notice these small changes, we dig deeply on what may be causing them.
Facial expression
Every owner knows that a cat’s face is never deceiving, and that many times we can know exactly what’s going on only with an expression. But if we improve on this tool, it can be very helpful.
To better understand facial expressions we must always look at their ears, eyes and whiskers. If you notice that the whiskers are pointing downwards, the eyes are semi closed and the ears are slightly bent forward; congratulations! you have yourself a calm and happy cat.
If a cat is worried or anxious, the ears will tense in a triangle shape. You will notice dilated pupils and tense whiskers bent forward. Do not approach your pet if this is the case, keep your distance until you notice they are calm.
Purrs and meows
There is a common misconception that if a cat purrs it means he / she wants to be petted. Yes, purring is a positive sign of relaxation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that your cat wants to be touched.
A clean meow, constant but relaxed, can indicate that your pet is hungry and needs to be fed. If this is the case the rest of the body will remain calm. If your pet’s feeding time hasn’t arrived, we advise that you give them a small snack to avoid stress.
It is well known that feline language is complicated for humans and reading it is challenging. As owners, it is our duty to educate ourselves in order to improve our relationship with our pets. As everything in life, cat language is a skill that needs to be practiced until mastered. Let us know in the comments if this article was useful and tell us if your cat uses any other ways to communicate with you.