The course below takes you through the three forms of feline communication: vocalization, body language and scent. Introduction. Howling can be a sign of senility in older cats. Did you find this useful? Use our guide to help you understand how your cat is feeling . However, looking at the physical cues of cat and kitten body language alone will only provide you with a partial understanding of what its true intentions are. Cat Body Language: Decoding the Ears It might be hard to believe, but cat ears contain over two dozen muscles, enabling them to do an Exorcist-like 180-degree swivel forward, backward, up and down. How to take care of your cat.pdf Cat spraying behaviour (PDF 297 KB) Print What is normal cat behaviour? Cat communication is the transfer of information by one or more cats that has an effect on the current or future behaviour of another animal, including humans. By paying close attention to our cats’ body language, we can do a better job of attending to their needs, and have even stronger, happier relationships with them. If your dog is fearful their body language will make it quite obvious; this type of dog expression can be very dramatic. Behavior is always contextual, so pay attention to the cat’s entire body and to what’s going on in the environment. Different dogs have different fear responses: some will cower to make themselves look small, some will roll on their back to show appeasement in a social conflict, some simply stand very still and others will bark loudly or growl defensively. A swishy tail signals high arousal, often due to anger or play. ; Your cat may be bored in the middle of the night. Dogs. The communication modalities used by domestic cats have been affected by domestication. Your cat's body language. The sooner you recognise this in your cat’s body language, the sooner you can offer a reassuring stroke when they approach you for reassurance, and some attention. Cats communicate to other cats and to humans using feline body language. At routine examinations, clients may not tell us that the kitten bites, or that the cat “misses the box occasion-ally” unless we specifically ask those questions. Certified cat behavior consultants Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like a Cat ($18, amazon.com), and Mieshelle Nagelschneider of The Cat Behavior Clinic offer their insights into what your precious kitty is communicating. Clients often think that the cat is acting “out of spite”or “getting back at them” and are unaware that the veterinary pro- The swishing tail is a warning – of impending attack. Now our 4 most popular posters-The Body Language of Fear in Dogs, Body Language of Feline Anxiety, How to Greet a Dog, and Canine Bite Levels- All in one great poster. It can take some time for cats to settle after unexpected changes, so learning to read the symptoms of anxious cat behaviour can help you help your cat back to a relaxed state. When you are trying to read body language, try to notice some of the signals that a person's posture can send. Sitting with the body hunched forward, on the other hand, can imply that the person is bored or indifferent. Communicating with a cat is not simply a parlor trick that can be performed to amuse dinner guests. Cat is standing, back is arched, body is held sideways, hair is raised, posture is tense, front paw is slightly lifted off the ground (ready to swipe if needed), ears are lowered and pointing out to the side, mouth is open and tense, teeth are showing, tail is tense. Signs of relaxation include: taking treats gently, ears forward, eyes relaxed, jaw loose, wiggly body, and widely wagging tail close to level with the body.