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"Everybody Wants To Be A Cat"
Cats are consummate communicators. They use every part of the
body, with vocal variations, to make themselves understood. Here is a guide to demystifying feline bodytalk.
Tail Talk
- A straight tail with a slight kink at the tip means "This looks most interesting."
- A tail held stiffly at right angles means, "Hello. How nice to see you."
- A tail with a tip that twitches means, "I'm starting to get angry!"
- A tail waved vigorously from side to side means, "You're for it!"
- An arched tail with the fur fluffed means, "This is my territory and don't you forget it!"
- A tail held low with fur fluffed out means, "I'm frightened." A terrified cat will crouch down low and the fur will stand on
end all over his body.
Tones Of Voice
- Purring can mean, "Mmmmm, that feels wonderful," or, "You're my favourite person." However, cats have been known
to purr when in pain or distress.
- A little chirping sound, which mother cats use to round up their kittens, is given by adult cats to say "Hi" to their owners.
- A subdued clicking sound means your cat has spotted a bird and is thinking, "Hmmm, there's my lunch."
- Hissing and spitting mean, "Get off my patch of ground, or else." These noises may have originated with wild
cats imitating the sound of an angry snake.
Best Buddies
There is, however, no telling what these two are thinking!
Body Language
- Rubbing the body or head against an object is a way of marking territory. When kitty rubs lovingly round your legs,
he is saying, "You're all mine."
- A cat with his ears back flat onto his head is saying "Help!"
- The cat who greets you by rolling lazily over onto his back, presenting his furry underside for you to admire, is saying,
"I feel completely safe with you." Don't be tempted to tickle that fluffy tummy: most cats find that area very sensitive, and
are likely to respond with a reproving paw-swipe.
- An arched back, with straight legs, wide, staring eyes and electric-shock tail means, "Back off now, or I'll attack!"
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