Understand your cat better by observing subtle stress signals

As a cat owner, it's important not only to be able to read your cat's obvious body language, but subtle signals tell you a lot too!

We notice, for example, that many owners have never paid attention to their cat's whiskers, even though they tell us how the cat is feeling. By ignoring subtle stress behaviours and rewarding happy behaviour with attention, you have a big effect on your cat's level of confidence.

TIP 1 - Whiskers

If your cat's whiskers point forward, she's happy. If they point sideways, that's a neutral posture, and if they point backward and stick against her cheeks, your cat expects a threat and is showing she doesn't feel comfortable.

If you notice this last one, leave her alone and check whether there's something going on that's causing her stress that you can remove, such as another cat blocking a passage or a sudden noise.

TIP 2 - Tail

A tail held up or curled like a question mark is a happy, greeting cat who feels at ease. If the tail hangs behind the cat's body, that's a neutral posture. However, if the cat's tail hangs down, parallel to the ground, the cat is signalling she's not comfortable. In that case, ignore her, check whether you can remove stressful things in the house, and make sure she can leave the room.

If the cat is swishing her tail, that's a sign of irritation. So leave your cat alone again, and see if you can help her, for example by separating the other cat, closing a curtain so she no longer sees cats outside, or stopping vacuuming until she's in another room.

TIP 3 - Tongue

Cats that feel stress, or are processing stress, will very quickly lick their tongue over their upper lip. If you don't know this, you may never have observed it. But once you know this, you'll spot it faster in your cats. This signal isn't serious - just make sure your cat can process what she's perceiving in peace and calm. So be sure to leave her alone.

TIP 4 - Coat

A cat that's irritated will show small twitches in the fur along the back. It's not a problem if you've never noticed this before, but pay attention to it from now on. This can also point to fleas or itching, but also irritation caused by something she notices in the environment or something that just happened.

TIP 5 - Communication

Cats communicate all day long, mainly through scents. They want to deposit these scents on their environment throughout the day. Head-bunting is a 'green flag' and a sign of recognition and happiness. Scratching is an 'orange flag' and means the cat is processing stress, or depositing scents so she can recognise her environment better next time. Spraying in the house is a clear sign of stress, pain, or discomfort (if your cat is neutered). Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to rule out illness.

TIP 6 - Hiding

A cat that isn't feeling well for a moment, for whatever reason, will hide herself away. That's ok - that's your cat's way of dealing with the environment, which doesn't seem entirely trustworthy to her at that moment. So if you can't look into your cat's eyes, leave the cat completely alone. This way she learns she can safely hide.