Your Cats Communication

By nature cats move gracefully, daintily and sedately, but their bodies were designed for speed. When you are trying to establish a relationship with your cat, bare in mind it will not do as you ask, because you are dominant, it will do as it pleases.

A good cat that is used to being handled by its owner will be alert, independent and inquisitive. If a cat is timid, dependant and always seeking attention, then it is possible that it has suffered abuse or lack of socialization when it was young (6-12 weeks).

If you are alert you will notice slight differences in your cat's voice and body language. Listen to you cat, and you may be able to link certain sounds with activities, such as hunger or happiness. The sound of a cats meow will vary from cat to cat. Siamese cats are very vocal, while other cats may hardly make any noise at all. Purring is generally a sign of happiness. Kittens start to purr from about the age of one week old; they will purr when they are feeding and the mother will know that all is well. It is thought that each kitten has a different purr so that the mother is able to tell which of her kittens is communicating with her.

Your cats fear, anger and unhappiness are shown in spits, hisses and snarls. The pitch of a growl will drop when a cat is hunting to a low rumbling. Some cats chitter and salivate with excitement when they see something to hunt. High-intensity yowls are saved for inter-cat communication, and are especially noticeable in a female cat on heat.

If your cat is feeling good, its ears are up and pointing forward, and its whiskers are relaxed. When relaxed a cat may purr and knead with its paws, opening and closing them as it did when it was a suckling kitten.

If a cats whiskers are forward, ears back, pupils narrow and fur stands on end, then the cat is probably about to fight. The fur standing on end will probably co-inside with a arched back, this makes the cat look more menacing. Wide eyes, and flat whiskers are a sign of fear. Whiskers are very sensitive and can be used to make friendly contact with other cats.