Subtle ways your cat is communicating with you - and what they're 'trying to say'

Many people consider their cat as one of their closest companions, often feeling they understand what their pet is trying to communicate.

In honour of International Cat Day today (August 8th), pet insurance specialist Healthy Pets has unveiled how cats interact with their humans and what they are attempting to convey.

From a flick of their tail to their sleeping habits, the experts at Healthy Pets have outlined the subtle ways cats express their emotions and health.

"Understanding your cat's behaviour is one of the best ways to build a deeper, more compassionate bond with them," stated Ross Hallifax from Healthy Pets.

"Cats may be known for being mysterious, but they're constantly telling us how they feel - we just need to learn to listen."

Tail Talk

A cat's tail acts like a mood barometer. A high, upright tail often indicates a happy, confident cat.

Conversely, a puffed-up tail signals fear or surprise, while a low, tucked tail suggests your cat is feeling threatened or anxious. Rapid, side-to-side tail movements can indicate agitation or frustration, whereas slow swishing can suggest focus or playfulness.

"Recognising these signals, along with other body language cues, can help owners better understand their feline companions," explained Healthy Pets expert Ross.

Vocal Clues

"Adult cats rarely meow at each other, and it's generally a learned behaviour from humans," commented Ross.

A brief, gentle meow might be a straightforward "hello," whilst louder, continuous meows could indicate your cat is famished, restless, or requiring attention. And naturally, that soothing purr typically signifies satisfaction, though some cats may also purr when they're poorly or anxious, as a method of self-comfort.

Scent marking

When a cat brushes against you, this can also be an indication of affection and confidence. By doing this, cats are marking their territory by leaving their scent on you, making you more familiar and comforting to them.

"Cats are heavily reliant on scent, with studies even showing that cats can distinguish their owner's scent from that of a stranger," commented Ross.

Ears and eyes

A cat's eyes will be fully open when they're alert, excited, or agitated. A cat with their eyes either partially or fully closed are relaxed and comfortable.

A slow blink is an affectionate gesture, showing they feel safe with you. Ears forward and pointy can indicate happiness or curiosity, while ears flattened against the head can indicate fear or aggression.

Relaxed ears often signal contentment and trust.

Sleeping Positions

Where and how a cat sleeps can say a lot about how safe and happy they feel. A curled-up cat is conserving warmth and feeling secure, while a cat sleeping belly-up is showing deep trust.

If a cat chooses to nap on you or nearby, this signals that they feel content and comfortable in your presence. "Whether it's a blink or a subtle tail twitch, cats are constantly communicating in ways we often overlook", summarised Ross.

"This International Cat Day, with the theme of Cat Welfare, we wanted to highlight the subtle ways in which cats communicate with humans and encourages owners to tune in to their cats' unique ways of expressing themselves."

The revelations come as numerous cat owners on Reddit previously shared how they connect with their feline companions.

One person penned in the discussion: "I've been slow-blinking to my cats as a way of showing trust or affection, and I think it works."

Meanwhile another contributed: "We have conversations back and forth. My boy meows often, he's very talkative and I'll ask him to tell me more and how he feels about it. He'll meow more in response. I can also say, 'Can I have a kiss?' to him and he'll put his nose against my lips and I'll give his nose a little smooch."

A third joined in: "I respond when she meows (a lot), give cuddles when she wants them and just chill next to her when she doesn't. When she flops over to show her belly, I give her chin rubs and face rubs, which she loves."

A fourth also wrote: "You're probably communicating with your cats a lot more than you think! Cats are very perceptive animals. Even just sitting in a room with them and minding your own business is meaningful to them - it shows that you're safe and you trust them, and that they can trust you too.

"Slow blinking is great. Some cats are more likely to respond than others but they do notice it."