What Does It Mean When a Tabby Cat's Ears Go Down?

Reading the body language of your tabby cat is important to understanding your pet and giving it the appropriate care and attention it needs. There may be times when you wonder what to do when the cat glares at you with its ears flattened. You can often tell how a cat is thinking by its ears: when you see them go down, be careful, as that's a sign of trouble.

  1. About Cat's Ears

    • A cat has 20 muscles that control the ear, which can turn up to 180 degrees. Generally, a cat's ears face forward and slightly up, indicating a happy cat. You'll notice the cat's ears start to move as its mood changes from contentment to fear or nervousness. Your cat may be getting stressed if you see the ears start to move sideways and eventually further back.

    Flattened Ears Indicate Unease

    • The cat is typically fearful or nervous when its ears are flat against its head. This can eventually result in the cat becoming angry or frightened, or both. This body language may indicate the cat is ready to strike.

    Other Signs

    • You should look for other signs that the cat is in an aggressive mood, as flattened ears may indicate an infection of some sort that requires the attention of a veterinarian. If the flattened ears happen suddenly and you notice other signs, like the cat laying down its whiskers as well, it's probably agitated. It may also move sideways or away from the source of the unease while looking back at it. The cat may also emit a warning growl to express irritation.

    What To Do

    • If you encounter a cat with flattened ears and an aggressive stance, back away slowly to give it some space. Don't allow it to feel cornered, which heightens its sense of danger. Allow the cat to cool down and realize there is no reason to fear you. If the cat is being aggressive toward another cat or other animal, separate them immediately to keep a dangerous fight from breaking out.