What Can You Tell From Feline Posture?

Your cat may not be able to rattle off how her morning has been so far, but what she can do is communicate to you using one highly effective tool -- her body posture. If you know exactly what to look for, the feline stance can convey a thousand words.

  1. Rounded Back

    • If your cat is standing up and her back has a rounded look to it, it can indicate a couple of drastically different moods. If her coat is smooth and soft, it means that she either is enjoying being petted -- or that she's anticipating it happily. If, on the other hand, her fur is spiky and upright, it generally indicates something nowhere near as pleasant -- this kitty is either peeved, scared or surprised.

    Hunched Over

    • When a cat's body is conspicuously hunched over right above her paws, it often signifies fear mode. This cat isn't confident at all. If trembling and rapid breathing are both part of the mix, the poor thing is really scared. In these situations, felines tend to keep their tails tightly against their bodies -- and oftentimes hidden between their back limbs. Fearful cats tend to take on stiff and rigid-looking postures.

    Tail Shooting Up

    • If a cat walks around with her tail shooting straight up into the air, she's "smiling" in her way, and you can repeat the expression by grinning back at her. This cat is calm, self-assured and at peace, and may even appreciate a few back strokes courtesy of yours truly. Also pay close attention to her whiskers. If they're slightly pushed to the front, all is dandy at the moment.

    Belly Display

    • Tummy exposure is a surefire sign of trust and contentment in the feline world. If your kitty is sprawled out either on her back or side with her stomach prominently visible, she's feeling serene, but at the same time fully aware and attentive to her surroundings. Your cat may be feeling good, but don't necessarily make the assumption that she's inviting you to pet her belly. She may just be relishing her relaxation time -- all by herself.

    Leaning

    • Belligerent cats often warn others by making sure that their sharp claws are clearly visible. If you ever notice a cat leaning her body just a tad to a certain side, that may be what she is trying to do. Be attentive to other warning "back away" body language signals, including pushed back ears, widened pupils and bared teeth -- yikes. Felines who feel secure with themselves also frequently adopt "stretched out" body stances -- an indication of possible physical attack. If a cat is ever showing you this type of angry or defensive body posture, the safe thing to do is walk away and leave her alone -- no exceptions.