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Encyclopedia > Cat body language
Happy Cat
Happy Cat
Relaxed Cat
Relaxed Cat
Playful Cat
Playful Cat
Aggressive Cat
Aggressive Cat

Cats communicate a variety of messages using cat body language. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 160 KB) Summary taci cat Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 160 KB) Summary taci cat Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 168 KB) Summary Shot of Taci cat Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 168 KB) Summary Shot of Taci cat Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Dami. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Dami. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Trinomial name Felis silvestris catus (Linnaeus, 1758) The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal and a subspecies of the wild cat. ...


Examples include arching their backs as a signal of fear or aggression, and slowly blinking to signal relaxation. As is the case with dogs, the tail is often used as a signalling mechanism. A twitch can indicate minor irritation, and a tail held high suggests confidence. A cat who chooses to lie with its stomach and chest exposed conveys happiness, trust and comfort (this is also typical of overweight cats, as it is more comfortable for them); however, a cat may also roll on its side/back to be able to defend itself with all four sets of claws. Usually other signs (like ears and whiskers folded backwards) give an indication of the cat's overall humour. A cat with tail held high and twitching shows excitement, but this is often mistaken for anger. Flattened ears mean that the cat feels threatened, and may attack. Mouth open and no teeth exposed suggests a feeling of playfulness. Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog is a mammal in the order Carnivora. ... A Ring-tailed Lemur For other uses, see Tail (disambiguation). ... A claw is a curved pointed growth found at the end of a toe or finger, or in arthropods, of the tarsus. ...

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Understanding cat body language

Many people fail to understand the silent body language of cats. In particular, 'dog people' who are accustomed to the outward signs of dog 'language' seem slow in detecting what a cat is telling them in its body language, which creates the false impression that cats are cold-hearted, unemotional, or unintelligent. To understand cats, one must observe a feline closely and learn what its body signals tell them. It is important to keep in mind that each cat may display its emotions with different body language. The flattened ears, teeth showing, baring belly for submission are easily 'read' by humans. Some characteristic signals, however, are often misunderstood. For instance, a cat rubbing its body along an arm or leg of its human is not only a way in which to attract attention and, perhaps, a morsel of food; it is also a way of 'marking' its human as its own. Using scent glands located around its mouth and elsewhere, it subtly 'marks' its human as part of its cat territory. Most cats prefer gentle rubs behind the ears. To inform their humans they need petting or attention, a cat may push its entire body weight up against the human as the cat snuggles next to his/her favorite person. This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

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Some common interpretations of cats' actions

  • Disgust - Lifting and subsequent shaking of a paw or paws. The more paws, the stronger a feeling is indicated; this can sometimes be a four paw affair with each paw being lifted and shaken in turn. This is possibly related to the identical action that's displayed after stepping in water.
  • Agitation or Aggression- The swishing or sweeping of the tail in a wide swath, mid-air or against a person. And if the message isn't getting through, the cat may simply leave the room.
  • Contentedness - Kneading with the paws on a person or, for example, a favorite blanket or sleeping spot. Young kittens knead their mother's nipples to stimulate the feeding reflex in her so that her milk flows for the kittens to suckle on. Cats may knead for a short or extended period of time, the extended period sometimes interpreted by people as a sign of discomfort or restlessness, but it is more likely the cat is happy. Most cats will demonstrate this for about ten minutes at the longest.
  • Relaxation - Sprawling on the side or back and, possibly, rolling about; this may be seen, for example, when a person enters the room or stirs from his seat. The cat may display this at the same time as the person's movement.
  • Greeting - A particular sort of vocalization, such as a low meow or chirp, possibly with simultaneous purring.
  • Affection - A pressing of the face or top of the head against a person's body, leaving a scent as a marking of territory.
  • Submission - Upon being approached, it will fall down on its side, indicating it is not seeking attention but is unwilling to put up a fight.
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Disgust is an emotion, typically associated with things that are perceived as unclean or inedible. ... Agitation may have the following special meanings Agitation, an emotional state Agitation, putting into motion (by shaking or stirring) Agitation, a term from the lexicon of Communists: political activities aimed at urging people to do something This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it easier to understand, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The term satisfaction can refer to: (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones song, which has also been covered by several artists, including: The Residents, released as a single (Satiafaction b/w Loser=Weed) in 1976 and 1978. ... Kneading is an activity common to all domestic cats whereby, when in a state of contentment, they push the surface on which they are standing with their front paws. ... The word relaxation can mean the following: The opposite of stress or tension; the aim of recreation and leisure activities. ... Greetings are social customs or rituals to show attention or to confirm friendship or social status between individuals or groups of people meeting each other. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Submission can refer to: An object to hand in A proposal for a presentation at an academic conference Domination and submission, where it is opposite in meaning to dominance. ...

External links

  • A small catalogue of cat body language signals.
  • An introduction to cat body language
  • Cat Communication

  Results from FactBites:
 
body language: Definition and Much More from Answers.com (829 words)
Body language is a broad term for forms of communication using body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, sounds, verbal language, or other forms of communication.
Body language is a factor in human courtship as a subconscious or subtle method of communication between potential mates.
Body language is documented in the animal kingdom to play an important role, particularly in the case of mammals during animal courtship.
CAT COMMUNICATION (5942 words)
Cats which communicate mostly with other cats use mainly on body language and scent - this is their "native language".
The most dramatic body language occurs when rival males meet, during courtship or over fiercely protected territory (in general, cats are happy to let other cats pass through their territory or even time-share it, but the core territory may be fiercely protected).
He believes that some pet cats extend this to communicate with humans, for example when a door is opened and the cat given a choice of in or out, it may signal its intention to stay indoors by ear flicking towards its favourite chair.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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