Getting to know about your pet's body language can make your life much easier. You can predict their upcoming actions through their body language which saves you from any potential harm or accident.
Cats and Dogs rivalry has been famous for a very long time now. Though no one knows the actual reason behind it, we all have encountered different situations where either cats end up hurting dogs or your pet dog hurts a cat. So to avoid such situations, having a basic knowledge to read cat body language is a must even if you just own a dog.
Cat Body Language
Here is a cat body language guide for you to keep your dog and yourself out of harm's way.
Happy and Playfully
Cats are predators therefore when they are in a playful or happy mood, they will stand as if they are about to hunt. Your cat will be a little crouched down and will wiggle their back end. The eyes of your feline friend will be wider with their pupils dilated. Its ears are upward and facing forward.
They also flick their tails side to side while focusing on the thing that is catching their attention. Flicking a cat's tail can show their annoyance too, so be very careful while paying attention to the cat's behavior. Give your cat a toy to play with so that she can get the extra energy out.
In this case, you can relax as the cat will not attack or harm your dog.
Stressed
When a cat is stressed out, its body posture will be stiff. It would be in a crouched position, closer to the ground. Just to distract themselves, a cat would engage in normal behavior like licking lips.
Another sign of a cat being in distress is that it would urinate or defecate outside of their litter box. The cat's eyes will appear wide and narrow. Its whiskers will be standing outwards than they normally do. Its ears will be in an airplane pose as they will be rotated sideways. They will keep their tails close to their body and will thump them sometimes.
If you notice these signs in the cat, then be careful as the cat might act violently. Give the cat some space and move your dog away from the cat’s attacking range.
Fearful
Just like cats are predators, they become prey for some animals too. Therefore, they can feel threatened and scared too. When in any such condition, their body will be in a crouched-down position. They will scrunch up their bodies. Their eyes would be wide and their pupils would be dilated as if they were in a fight-and-flight state. Their ears will be held backward and sideways. The further the ears, the more scared the cat is.
The whiskers lie flat on their face and either the tail will be around their body or underneath it. Cats involuntarily growl or hiss when startled or scared. But when they let out a loud noise or a long yowl, then they are about to act out their fear in an aggressive way.
When you realize that your cat is showing signs of fear then first remove the threat. Do not touch or go near the cat as they might attack you. It most probably will take shelter to save itself therefore let it go in hiding.
Pro tip: Remember cats avoid violence. So if you see any sign of distress, immediately move your dog away as the cat might act out in self-defence, taking your dog as a threat.
Aggressive
Cats are normally non-aggressive animals. But when they feel insecure or threatened, they might attack to defend themselves. A cat will arch its body up to appear bigger than its size. The fur on its body, known as piloerection will stand up making it look bigger. Its eyes will be widened and pupils will be enlarged. The cat will keep an eye on this threat to make sure it is safe. Ears will be turned back or will lie flat against its head. The whiskers are either flat or pushed forward. They will either flick or thrash their tail. The peace-loving cats will give a warning either by growling or hissing.
If a cat is annoyed enough, it will let out a loud shriek and lunge towards its target threat, which might be your dog. So when you notice these signs in a cat's body language, move to a safer distance from the cat. Take your dog away from this cute furball so that it does not hurt it.
Conclusion
Understanding cat body language is crucial for ensuring the safety of both your dog and your feline friend. By recognizing the signs of a happy, stressed, fearful, or aggressive cat, you can prevent potential conflicts and create a harmonious environment for all your pets. Cats are generally non-aggressive, but when they feel threatened, they may act defensively. Observing your cat's body language allows you to respond appropriately, giving your cat the space and comfort it needs while keeping your dog safe. Remember, both animals have their own personalities, as you can read in our article about dog personalities.
To further promote a peaceful coexistence, consider investing in quality pet products like those offered by PET & Co. the Cat Basket Simba is designed to provide a calming space for your cat, helping reduce stress and prevent aggressive behavior. By providing your cat with a safe and comfortable space, you can enhance their well-being and maintain a balanced household. Understanding and respecting your cat's body language is key to ensuring that your furry family members can live together happily and safely.