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                What is your cat trying to tell you?

How many time have you seen your dog going though the trash and thought, "I wish I knew what was going through your head right now!"  Or "Why does my cat always whip my with her tail when I try to hold her?" Our pet are giving us signals everyday. Signals as to how they are feeling, what they want from us, or sometimes what the don't want from us.  Learning these signals helps us to better understand our pets so that we can better care for our pets.

What is Your Cat trying to show you?

Tail Posture What Does it Mean
Vertical Tail Play, Indication of Presence ("I'm here!"), Confidence in there Identity
In Motion (If Slow/Swayed) Greeting
(If whipped back and forth) Anticipation, frustration
(If rigid and flicking) Offensive aggression
(If not as rigid but still flicking) Defensive aggression
Horizontal Amicable approach, neutral approach to behavioral circumstances
Concave (Arched) Defensive behavior
Lower Withdrawal from interaction, Increased willingness to avoid interaction
Between the legs Fear, Submission, social and physical withdrawal.

What is your Cat Saying?

Call Description What Does it Mean
Murmur Rhythmical pulsed vocalization Social interaction, solicitation, non-threatening
Growl Low pitched, harsh Argumentative, combative
Squeak Loud, High pitched Anticipation of feeding
Shriek Loud high pitched pain, fear, aggression
Hiss mouth open, teeth visible offensively defensive (avoids frank aggression)
Spit Sound before or after hiss offensively defensive
Chatter -- Anticipatory, Frustration
Purr -- contentment, mild conflicting anxiety
Mew High pitched, medium amplitude Mother's interaction with kittens, Identification, encouragement
Moan Low frequency/long duration solicitation
Shriek -- greeting, willingness to interact

What is your Dog saying?

Signal What does it Mean
Barking Alerting/warning, attention seeking, location function
Growling Warning distance increasing
Crying/Whining/Whimpering Care Seeking
Howling To Elicit social contact, anxiety, reassurance
Moans Pleasure, contentment
Tail and ears up alert, ready to participate
Elevated Forefoot/Direct gaze Anticipation, challenge, confidence, absence of threat
Averting gaze Fear, cowardice, absence of challenge,
Belly Presented -If chest or inguinal area covered pet may become aggressive if pursued. 
-If limp/neck back pet is relaxed
Tail Tucked with Belly presented fear/submission (may also be seen with urination)
Grin Compliance, submission
Rigid Stance, stiff torso Confidence and intent to interact (may not be aggressive)
Tail above horizon Confidence High Status
Tail below Horizon Less Confidence, lower status, compliance, submission, fear
Tail Wag Willingness to interact
Tail tip Wag, Stiff Confidence, assertiveness, offensively interactive
Ears erect Alert, Confidence
Ears back Fear
Ears vertically dropped Submission, low ranking, anxiety
Snarl/Growl with only incisors and Canines showing Confidence, offensive aggression
Snarl/Growl with all teeth and back of throat showing Defensive aggression, fearful
Lowered Body Defensive, fearful, deferential, relaxed
Licking Lips/ flicking tongue Appeasement, solicitation of reassurance
Raising forepaw Solicitation of attention
Paws out, front end down, rump up and tail wagging Invitation to play
Mounting or pressing on back and shoulder of another dog Challenge, marking, claiming
Licking at corners of another dog's or person's mouth Anticipation, solicitation
Blowing out cheeks/lips Anticipation, anxiety (if very fast)
Popping or snapping of upper and lower jaw intention to comply as last resort.