The biggest part of owning a cat is understanding how their
minds work and what their body language means. While this might sound strange,
if you understand their moods, this reduces the chance of interacting with them
at the wrong time and getting an injury. It also helps you recognize if their
behavior has changed which could indicate an illness or injury. And by
understanding your cat, both you and the cat will be happier and have a better
relationship.
Instinctive reactions
The first thing to remember about cats is that while they
can solve problems and figure things out, they react to everything
instinctively, not intellectually as we humans often do. They don't asses something
then react, they just use their instincts to deal with things. This is how
people can be injured by even a small cat - their behavior ticks the box for
threatening in the cat's mind and it reacts accordingly.
Cats are naturally quite solitary creatures and have brief,
low intensity interactions with each other. They meet up and rub heads or sniff
each other, something sniffing their butts a bit like a dog. There might be a
little grooming if they are close to one another and friendly or a few noises to
issue warning. But humans tend to be full on, wanting to pet them for ages and
have lots of time with them. This can be a bit of a shock to cats and while
some come to love it, others can become overstimulated and irritated by the
level of attention.
Body language
When a cat gets over stimulated or excited, then it can
switch to hunt mode and treat the human either as a threat or as prey. Touching
a cat in this state can result in a scratch or bite, perhaps worse. This
reaction can also come when touching a cat in certain areas of the body that
they think of as off-limited. These can include the belly, their paws, under
their legs, their back legs, the bottom of the tail and sometimes the bottom
half of the back. Even rubbing the fur back in the wrong direction can cause
this reaction.
A relaxed and friendly cat will have their tail up, their
ears relaxed and facing forward and often will walk towards people. Allowing
the cat to sniff the hand before stroking them is a good move in this
situation, especially if the cat isn't yours or hasn't been with you long.
Relaxed cats will often roll into their side or belly and
this is a sign they are content and happy around the person. But this isn't
always a sign to rub the belly like it would be with a dog - cats often don't
appreciate this even when relaxed and happy because it is a vulnerable spot.
Another sign of being relaxed is when they are lying on
their side with paws out in front, a sleepy look on their face and half closed
eyes. Some cats even sleep like this. If they are awake, a sniff to the hand
first may be a good idea but if they are asleep, make some noise as you
approach to avoid startling them.
If the cat is crouched, with tail tucked around the body and
muscles tensed, this is a sign of being anxious or fearful. Allow them room to
flee if they choose or get somewhere up high where they feel safe.
Finally, if a cat has its back arched, fur raised and big
eyes, then they are eight frightened or really angry and should be given plenty
of space. Don't try approach them or you will likely be injured in doing so.
Allow them to flee or the quiet to relax again.
Credit: Angela Tempest
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