Cat body language: what your cat is telling you
Cats show how they feel with their ears, eyes, tail, body and voice. Read them together, not one at a time. Relaxed ears, soft eyes, a raised tail and a loose body mean a happy cat. Flat ears, wide pupils, a puffed or lashing tail and a tense body mean back off.
For cat parents and cat sitters. Last reviewed 7 November 2026. General information only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about a cat, call your vet.
Quick guide
| Signal | Usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Slow blink | Relaxed and trusting | Blink slowly back, then look away |
| Hard stare | Tension or a challenge | Look away, do not stare back |
| Ears forward and upright | Relaxed or interested | Fine to say hello |
| Ears turned sideways | Unsure or nervous | Slow down and give room |
| Ears flat against the head | Frightened or angry | Do not reach, back off |
| Tail up, curl at the tip | Friendly greeting | Say hello |
| Tail lashing fast | Irritated or overstimulated | Stop and give room |
| Tail puffed like a bottle brush | Very frightened | Stay still and give space |
| Tummy showing | Trust, not always an invitation to rub | See how the cat reacts before touching |
| Hiding more than usual | Stress, or possibly unwell | Quiet space, food nearby, call the vet if it is not eating |
| Breathing with the mouth open | Emergency | Call a vet straight away |
What does it mean when a cat hisses?
A hiss is a warning, not an attack. The cat is scared, stressed or sore, and it is asking you to back off so it does not have to fight. Stay calm, look away, and move slowly out of reach. Punishing a hiss can teach a cat to skip the warning and go straight to biting.
- Growls, spits and swats are stronger versions of the same message.
- Common triggers are a stranger, a new smell, a sudden movement, being cornered, or pain.
- Leave food and water nearby and let the cat settle. Try again later, more slowly.
- A usually friendly cat that starts hissing, or hisses when touched in one spot, may be in pain. Mention it to your vet.
Is my cat spicy or aggressive?
Most cats called spicy, grumpy or aggressive are scared, stressed or sore. A hiss, growl or swat is a warning that asks for space. It is not a flaw in the cat’s character. Find what is frightening the cat, give it room, and see your vet if the behaviour is new.
- Cats hiss to avoid a fight. Respecting the warning keeps both of you safe.
- Punishing a cat for warning can teach it to skip the warning and bite.
- Common causes are a stranger, a new smell, a loud noise, being cornered, handling the cat does not like, or pain.
- A cat that suddenly becomes snappy, or flinches when touched in one spot, may be hurting.
- A cat that feels safe, has hiding places and is not rushed is usually a far calmer cat.
Why are my cat’s ears flat or sideways?
Ears show mood. Forward and upright means relaxed or interested. Turned sideways, sometimes called airplane ears, means unsure or nervous. Pressed flat against the head means frightened or angry, so give the cat space and do not reach for it.
- Each ear can turn on its own, so a cat can listen to two things at once.
- Fast ear twitching with a lashing tail means the cat is irritated.
- Head shaking, scratching at an ear, a bad smell or dark discharge are not body language. See your vet.
What does it mean when a cat squints or slow blinks?
A slow, soft blink is usually a sign of trust and ease, and you can blink slowly back. Squinting with a relaxed body is usually comfort. Squinting with a hunched body, hiding, or watery or sticky eyes can mean pain or an eye problem.
- A hard, fixed stare can be a challenge. Look at a nervous cat’s shoulder instead of its eyes.
- Big, round pupils can mean fear, excitement or play, but cats also have large pupils in dim light.
- A pale film across part of the eye (the third eyelid) can be a sign that a cat is unwell.
What does a cat’s tail position mean?
A tail held high, often with a small curl at the tip, is a friendly greeting. A fast lashing tail means irritation, and a puffed-up tail means fright. A tail tucked under the body means a scared or unwell cat. A cat’s tail does not wag like a dog’s.
- A tail wrapped around you shows affection.
- A slow swish usually means the cat is thinking or focused on something.
- A tall, quivering tail is often an excited hello. In cats that spray, it can come just before they do.
Why does my cat show its belly?
A cat that rolls onto its back usually feels safe with you. It is a sign of trust, but for many cats it is not an invitation to rub. A hand on the belly can bring claws and teeth, so watch how the cat reacts before you touch.
- Cheeks, chin and the base of the ears are safer places to stroke.
- Stop if the tail starts lashing, the skin ripples or the ears turn back.
Why does my cat purr?
Cats most often purr when they are relaxed, being stroked or settling for a nap. They can also purr when they are stressed, frightened, in pain or unwell, which seems to be a way of soothing themselves. Check the rest of the body to tell the difference.
- A purr with soft eyes, a loose body and kneading is contentment.
- A purr with a hunched body, flat ears, hiding or not eating is not.
- A purring cat can still reach its limit and bite or swipe.
Why is my cat hiding?
Cats hide when they are stressed, for example with a visitor, a loud noise or a change at home. They also hide when they are unwell, because cats hide pain. Leave food and water close, keep things quiet, and call your vet if a cat hides far more than usual or will not eat.
- Do not pull a cat out of its hiding spot. Let it come to you.
- A cat that is hiding, hunched, squinting and not eating needs to be seen by a vet.
What do meows, trills and yowls mean?
Adult cats mostly meow at people. A meow can mean hello, hunger, or a request for attention. A short, rolling trill is usually a friendly hello. Chattering at birds shows excitement. A long, loud yowl can mean distress or pain, so check on the cat.
- Older cats may yowl at night from confusion. Mention it to your vet.
- Straining or crying in the litter tray is a warning sign. A male cat that cannot pass urine is an emergency.
- A normally chatty cat that goes quiet is worth mentioning to your vet.
How should I greet a cat I do not know?
Sit low and side-on, hold out one finger at nose height, and let the cat decide. If it rubs against your finger, the answer is yes. Stroke the cheeks and chin first, keep it short, and stop before the cat has had enough.
- Avoid looming over a cat, staring at it, or picking it up.
- Signs of enough: tail lashing, ears turning back, skin rippling along the back, or the head turning to watch your hand.
- Wash any scratch or bite straight away with soap and running water. Cat bites can become infected quickly, so see a doctor if the skin is broken, red or swollen.
When is a change in body language a reason to see a vet?
Call a vet straight away for open-mouth breathing, very fast breathing at rest, a collapse, or a cat that cannot walk normally. Call the same day for a cat that is hiding, hunched and not eating. A sudden change from a cat’s normal behaviour is worth a call.
- A usually gentle cat that suddenly hisses or flinches when touched may be in pain.
- Squinting, eye discharge, or the third eyelid showing.
- Grooming changes: a cat that stops grooming, or licks one spot until it is bare.
- Write down what you saw and when. A short video can help your vet.
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