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Head to Toe
A Guided Tour of Your Cat and the Ways He Communicates
Take the time to go on a little tour of your cat’s body. He’s not just a cute little ball of fur who chases mice and sleeps in the sun. A cat’s body is perfectly built for hunting and every piece of feline equipment performs intricate, well-timed functions. And what about those meows? Do they really mean anything? Cats are masters of communication and use multiple forms: olfactory, visual, and auditory. Become familiar with your cat’s language and it will unlock the mysteries of behavior problems and cat/owner misunderstandings.
Let’s start with some basic information on the internal/external workings of this marvelous creature:
Temperature
Temperature can range from 101.5–102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Under stress, the cat’s temperature can rise (for example, while being examined by the veterinarian), so depending on the circumstances, a temperature of 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit would be considered normal.
Heart
The cat’s heart averages around 120 to 240 beats per minute. The number of beats will increase in times of stress, fear, excitement, or physical activity. A fever can also cause an increase in the number of beats.
Respiratory Rate
About twenty to thirty breaths per minute is the average for a resting cat. Humans average about half of that.
Blood
There are three blood types: A, B, and the extremely rare AB. Most domestic short-haired cats are type A. Before a transfusion both the donor cat and patient must be typed.
The Eyes
Cats have binocular vision, this means an image is seen by both eyes at the same time. This provides the cat with excellent depth perception.
Cats, being hunters, are very stimulated by movement going across their visual field. The prey-drive is strongly triggered by movements going away from the cat.
Cats have a layer of cells beneath the retina called the tapetum lucidum. These act as a mirror and reflect light back into the retina, which allows the cat to use all available light. This makes the eye about 40 percent more efficient. You’ve seen this glowlike effect as your car’s headlights are reflected in the eyes of animals at night.
People mistakenly assume that cats can see when it’s totally dark, which isn’t the case. They can, however, see in conditions we consider total darkness.
The light path from the cat’s pupil to the retina is shorter than that of humans. This enables the pupil to open wider and constrict smaller.
Cats have a third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane. This pale pink membrane normally rests at the inner corner of the eye. If protection of the eye is needed, it will unfold and cover the surface. Since cats generally hunt in tall grass and brush, the nictitating membrane protects the eye from injury. When a cat is ill, more of the nictitating membrane may also be exposed.
Kittens are blind at birth and then as their poorly focusing eyes develop, they are very sensitive to light. Kittens also are born with blue eyes. Their true eye color will develop several weeks later.
Cats’ eyes come in several colors, the most common being green or gold. White cats with blue eyes suffer from congenital deafness. Frequently, odd-eyed cats have deafness on the side with the blue eye.
Cats have limited color vision. They can see blues, grays, yellows, and greens. They don’t see reds. Limited color vision isn’t as important as being able to detect sound, scent, and movement.
Your cat’s eyes can help indicate what he’s feeling. The pupils dilate when a cat is stimulated, surprised, or fearful. Constricted pupils may indicate tension or potential aggression. Of course, available light must be taken into consideration.
Avoiding direct eye contact is one method a cat uses to try to prevent a violent confrontation with another cat. An offensively aggressive cat will make direct eye contact.
The Ears
Because cats are hunters, their sense of hearing is as important as their sight or smell. A good predator has to be able to detect the faintest rustling in the grass. A cat’s hearing range is better than that of a human and at the higher end is better than even that of a dog. Their hearing is so sensitive that cats can distinguish between two similar sounds from dozens of feet away. They can hear about two octaves higher than us.
The pinna is the flap of the ear that is shaped like a cone. It collects sound waves, funneling them to the inner ear. The many muscles in the pinnae are what allow the cat to rotate his ears in a wide arc, enabling him to locate the source of sounds accurately. Your cat’s ears can rotate 180 degrees and one ear can rotate independently of the other.
Your cat’s ears are also mood indicators. Ears flattened sideways and down reflect irritation or possible submission. An anxious cat may twitch his ears. When the ears face forward, it often indicates alertness. During a fight (or in anticipation of one), the ears are rotated back and flattened to prevent them from being damaged by an opponent’s claws or teeth.
The Nose
A well-developed sense of smell is vital for survival in the cat world. It enables the cat to identify territories, relays specific information about the opposite sex, informs him of the presence of potential enemies, alerts him to the presence of potential prey, and detects the temperature and safety of food. A cat isn’t a scavenger and the cat’s sense of smell directly affects his appetite. A cat who can’t smell can become anorexic.
The cat’s sense of smell is better than a human’s but inferior to a dog’s.
The cat’s nose has approximately two hundred million scent cells. To give you an idea of how your cat’s nose compares to yours, humans only have about five million.
The inside of the cat’s nose is lined with a mucous membrane that traps foreign particles and bacteria in an effort to prevent them from entering the body. The mucous membrane also warms and moisturizes inhaled air before it continues on through the respiratory tract.
Some cats have to work harder than others when it comes to breathing due to the differences in muzzle shapes. Flat-nosed breeds, such as Persians, have a compromised breathing ability due to the distorted shape of their compact nose. Their sense of smell may be compromised as well.
Cats also have an extra scent “analyzer” that plays a specific role in identifying sex-related odors in urine (see The Mouth).
The Mouth
Kittens get their temporary teeth at four weeks of age. The permanent teeth are usually in by six months. There are thirty teeth in total. The two canine teeth are used for severing the spinal cord of prey and delivering the killing bite. The six incisors located in the front of the mouth in both the upper and lower jaws are for tearing off small bits of meat and plucking feathers. The premolars and molars cut off larger pieces of flesh from the prey. Cats don’t chew or grind these pieces, but rather, they’re swallowed whole.
The cat’s tongue is covered with tiny backward-facing barbs (papillae) that are used for grooming, and also for removing meat from the bones of prey.
When it comes to drinking water, cats use their tongue to lap water at an incredibly fast speed. New research has been done on this by Pedro M. Reis and Roman Stocker of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with Sunghwan Jung of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Jeffrey M. Aristoff of Princeton University. The New York Times published the results in an article in the November 11, 2010, science section (based on the researchers’ writings in Science magazine). The cat curves the upper side of his tongue downward and darts his tongue lightly onto the surface of the water. The speed at which he does this is so fast that as a column of water is drawn up by his tongue, the cat will close his mouth to collect the water just at the moment gravity begins to pull the water column back down. The researchers are engineers and they created a machine to mimic the cat’s tongue. They determined that the cat laps four times per second.
The cat’s tongue has fewer taste buds than that of a human. The cat generally has no desire for sweet tastes although some develop a taste for sweet goodies if repeatedly offered by owners.
Cats use their tongue very efficiently to keep their coats well groomed. Grooming is vital to survival. After eating, the cat uses his tongue to remove all traces of prey from his fur so it won’t alert other prey to his presence. It also decreases the cat’s risk of becoming prey to a larger predator.
Grooming serves a behavioral function as well. In a stressful situation a cat may groom himself to displace the tension he feels. You may notice this if your cat is sitting at the window watching a bird outside. If the bird flies off, the cat may begin a round of self-grooming to defuse the energy he was storing and the frustration he feels.
Located in the roof of the mouth is a scent organ known as the vomeronasal organ, with ducts leading into both the mouth and the nose. The cat inhales, opening his mouth and curling his upper lip. The odor is then picked up on his tongue. It’s almost a cross between smelling and tasting. He then moves the tongue toward the roof of the mouth with the collected odor, passing it to the vomeronasal organ. While performing this scent analysis, the cat’s lips are pulled back into a sort of grimace (called a flehmen reaction). This behavior is most commonly performed by males reacting to the urine or pheromones of females in heat.
The Whiskers
Whiskers (vibrissae) are used as a sensory device, relaying messages to the brain. Whiskers are located on the upper lip, cheeks, above the eyes, and on the forelegs. The whiskers on the muzzle are in four rows. The upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. The upper whiskers, which extend beyond the head, also help guide a cat through darkness by gauging air currents. Whiskers on the forelegs are used to sense any movement of prey trapped under the cat’s front paws.
The muzzle whiskers also help a cat to determine if he can fit through a tight spot. In theory, the width of the whiskers should match the width of the body. In reality, though, many cats are overweight so their body width far exceeds the whisker tips.
Whiskers play an important role in feline body language as well. Whiskers that are forward-facing and spread out usually indicate that the cat is alert and ready for action. The whiskers of a relaxed cat are positioned sideways and not as fanned out. Fear or potential aggression is communicated by the whiskers being tightly spaced and flattened back against the face.
The Nails
Cats have five toes on each forefoot and four on each hind foot. The fifth toe on the inside of the forefoot is known as the dewclaw and doesn’t come in contact with the ground. Some cats, referred to as polydactyls, have extra toes.
When a cat scratches on a tree or scratching post, the outer sheath of the nail is removed. This allows the new growth to come through. If you look at the base of where your cat normally scratches, you’ll probably find little discarded crescent-shaped sheaths.
Unlike dogs, the nails on the cat’s forefeet don’t wear down because they remain sheathed until needed.
The Tail
The tail is one-third of the spine, is used for balance, and also serves an important role in communication. The tail helps the cat balance on high, narrow places and assists in high speed directional changes. An upright tail when the cat is standing or walking lets you know he’s alert. It’s also the position used in greeting. A relaxed cat’s tail is horizontal or somewhat down. When your cat flicks his upright tail at you, it’s usually meant as a greeting. In most cases, the message he’s sending is “Hi, I’ve missed you. When’s dinner?” A lashing or thumping tail reflects arousal or irritation. If you’re petting your cat when this happens, it’s a very good idea to back off. When a cat is resting, an occasional twitching or sweeping motion of the tail is his way of saying he’s relaxed but still alert. A frightened cat will puff out the hairs on his tail (piloerection) so it looks more than twice its size. A tail in an inverted “U” shape indicates that the cat is fearful and potentially defensively aggressive. A subordinate cat will tuck his tail between his legs or around his body, trying to be as small and invisible as possible.
Injury to your cat’s tail can result in a permanent loss of balance and create severe or fatal bladder problems.
OTHER INTERESTING BODY FACTS
• Cats have a floating clavicle that is not attached to bone. This gives them the ability to squeeze into tighter spaces.
• Cats have a sprinting speed of about 30 miles per hour.
• Cats can jump about five times their height.
• Only cats have the ability to retract their claws.
• Cats are digitigrade walkers, which means they walk on their toes. This increases their stealth, speed, and ability to make quick directional turns.
Relating the Feline Aging Process to Ours
Just about everyone is familiar with that age-old saying about how a dog ages seven years for every one of our human years. Applying that principle to cats is inaccurate. It isn’t even entirely accurate for dogs.
The first two years of cat life are the approximate equivalent of twenty-four human years. That’s a lot of growing and maturing that a cat goes through in a short amount of time. Each year after the age of two equals approximately four human years.
With dogs, life expectancy can vary based on breed. Large dogs tend to have shorter life spans than the small breeds. With cats, breed doesn’t affect life expectancy as much as lifestyle does. An indoor cat who is well cared for stands a much better chance of living to a ripe old age than an outdoor cat who only sees the veterinarian for emergencies, if at all.
Vocal Communication Cats use vocal communication along with marking and body language to effectively convey messages.
Cat owners become very familiar with the subtle, and some not so subtle, nuances of their cat’s vocabulary. Almost every owner can identify the differences between the vocalization that says “play with me” and “you’re late with my dinner.”
A cat’s vocal repertoire is quite extensive. It ranges from soft contented murmurs and vowel patterned sounds to strained intensity sounds. There’s no such thing as a simple “meow.” Here are some general examples of the cat’s vocabulary.
Purr
It’s the most charismatic and endearing sound that a cat makes. How the purr is actually produced remained a mystery for a long time. Experts had various theories but the most current information is that the purr is created by contractions of the laryngeal muscles and diaphragm, which create pressure in the glottis.
Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation and it is done with a closed mouth. Studies have shown that vibrations of 25 hertz applied to extremities promote wound healing, and increase bone density and muscle mass. They also help with pain relief. The cat’s purr is 25 hertz (25 cycles per second).
Initially, the purr is produced by the mother as a way to communicate with her kittens. They feel the vibrations of the purr, which helps them to locate her. The purr may also help the queen with pain relief after birth and during nursing.
Although we as owners are most familiar with the purring our cats do during times of contentment or nursing, they also purr in a variety of other, less expected situations. Cats often purr to self-soothe during times of illness or fear. When a cat is close to death is also a time that purring can occur. Euphoria has been reported by some terminally ill human patients, so perhaps cats may experience this as well.
Purring may also be how a cat attempts to soothe an opponent in an effort to thwart an attack.
Meow
A meow is a greeting that is usually directed toward humans and is generally not a cat-to-cat form of communication. Variations on “meow” are used to communicate to their owners. Body postures and environmental specifics must be taken into consideration to determine what the cat is asking for (food, attention, greeting, request to be left alone, etc.).
Mew
A cat-to-cat communication that may be used for location or identification purposes.
Chirp
A soft sound that a cat makes in anticipation of something desired that he is about to receive (usually a meal or treat).
Trill
A more musical version of a chirp that is often used as a happy greeting.
Chattering
The sound an excited cat makes when spotting prey. Owners may be familiar with this sound if they’ve ever watched their indoor cat sit at the window watching a bird or squirrel.
Murmur
A closed-mouth soft sound that is often issued as a greeting.
Grunt
Sound produced by newborn kittens.
Hiss
The hiss is used as a defensive warning, and is created when a burst of air is forced out through an arched tongue and an open mouth with the lips pulled back. The creator of the sound is most likely hoping the vocalization and accompanying body posture will deter potential violence. Aggression will likely follow should the danger persist.
Spit
A quick popping sound, spitting often accompanies the hiss. It’s produced in reaction to being threatened or taken by surprise. A menacingly quick slap to the ground with a paw often adds to the drama of spitting.
Growl
This is one of the cat’s strained intensity sounds. A steady, low-pitched warning sound produced with an open mouth. Just as a cat tries to appear larger by piloerection of fur, the deep growl may also be an attempt to seem threatening to the enemy. Growling can be either offensive or defensive.
Snarl
An intimidating expression of upper lip curling. I include it in this section on vocal communication because it is often accompanied by a growl.
Shriek
Most commonly associated with the female as she cries out after copulation. The male’s penis has tiny barbs on it that most likely hurt her as he withdraws. The shriek can be heard when there is sudden pain or in very intense aggressive encounters.
Moan/Yowl
A loud call expressing confusion or discomfort. Older cats may issue a bewilderment yowl when disoriented. This often happens at night when everyone has gone to bed and he’s walking around a dark and quiet house. Some cats may moan just prior to vomiting.
Mating Call
The estrous female gives out a two-syllable call. The male’s call resembles “mowl.” These nightly sounds are what elicit slipper throwing, water squirting, and various four-letter words from sleep-deprived humans.
Body Language and Communication Basics
In general, body language can be broken down into two general categories: distance-increasing and distance-reducing. The posture can indicate an indifference, acceptance, or even desire for interaction, or else the posture can say “don’t come any closer” or even “go away.” For example, a play solicitation posture is a distance-reducing display while a cat standing stiff-legged and displaying piloerection (hair standing on end) is clearly requesting an increase in distance.
Self-Grooming
Cats are famously fastidious and can be seen grooming themselves on a regular basis. The cat’s saliva contains a natural odor neutralizer and that’s why the kitty’s fur smells so fresh after a tongue bath.
Grooming removes dirt, loose hairs, parasites, and other debris.
In an outdoor environment, grooming is more than just a cleanliness issue—it’s a survival instinct, as discussed earlier, for the cat to rid himself of all scent traces.
Cats will also self-groom as a displacement behavior when they’re anxious or unsure of a situation. Taken to the extreme, some cats can groom themselves so much they create bald patches. There are several underlying medical causes for extreme self-grooming. For example, a cat may overgroom an area that is painful, and certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism can cause overgrooming.
Allogrooming
Mutual grooming between cats serves many functions. It’s most often a bonding and social behavior between familiar cats. It can also be used to reinforce status as well as relieve stress. Cats may also groom each other to create one familiar, communal scent.
Your cat may also enjoy grooming you and this usually is a very special bonding moment.
Bunting and Rubbing
Using the scent glands on the forehead and face, the cat rubs or nudges his face against you or a companion pet. This behavior is called bunting. As he rubs, he deposits a scent onto the person or animal. This is typically an affectionate behavior and probably has more to do with bonding than marking.
Allorubbing
This refers to one cat rubbing against another, and is a component of social communication among familiar cats. Allorubbing is usually done by one cat rubbing his flank along the side of another cat. Cats who are friendly to each other may also engage in bunting behavior before or during allorubbing. This behavior is also displayed by cats toward humans.
Piloerection (aka Halloween Cat)
Just about everyone is familiar with this famous defensive posture. The cat arches his back with piloerection of hair. He will also turn sideways and this is all done to appear larger and more threatening to an approaching opponent.
Offensive Aggressive Posture
The cat will be standing stiff-legged to appear as tall and imposing as possible. Piloerection of hair adds to that imposing appearance. The cat will give a direct stare at the opponent. The pupils are constricted. Ears are flattened back and slightly down. Tail position is down but not tucked under the body.
Defensive Aggressive Posture
The cat stands sideways and although his head is facing his opponent, he avoids a direct stare. The tail is usually tucked and he holds his body lower to the ground or raises up and assumes a puffed up stance with piloerection. Pupils are dilated and ears are flattened.
Side Step
In a playful, friendly environment, a cat may solicit a companion to participate in play by standing sideways with a slightly arched back and arched tail. Although the posture is similar to the defensive Halloween cat image, there’s no piloerection, no facial tension, and no desire to fight.
Stomach Exposure
Often misinterpreted to be a request for a tummy rub, stomach exposure is NOT an invitation for you to scratch or pet this most vulnerable area. The exact meaning of a stomach display depends on the specific circumstances. When confronted with an opponent, a cat may roll onto his back as a defensive display. The message he’s conveying is that he doesn’t want to engage in battle but if the opponent persists, the cat will use all weapons (i.e. teeth and claws). This posture is used in the hope that the opponent will move on.
In a relaxed setting, a cat may expose his tummy as he naps or rests and this is truly a sign of ultimate trust and security. Don’t ruin the moment by attempting to pet him there because it’ll trigger an automatic defensive response.
Often a cat may roll onto his back when requesting to play with a companion cat.
Kneading
This is the milk tread that kittens initially do to stimulate milk flow from the mother’s teats. It’s a behavior that many adult cats retain and display when on an owner’s lap or on a soft material such as a blanket. It’s a sign of contentment and relaxation.
Slow Blinks
It’s believed by many to be a sign of trust and affection when a cat gives a slow eye blink to an owner or companion cat. Affectionately referred to as cat kisses, you can try giving a slow blink back to your cat.
Ears Flattened Against Head
Depending upon the exact position, and other accompanying body signs, it indicates offensive or defensive aggression. Either way, it’s a sign that your cat shouldn’t be touched.
Airplane Ears
No, this doesn’t mean kitty is getting ready to take off and fly. It refers to the ears being held in a horizontal position that resembles airplane wings. A cat may do this to show agitation and increasing aggression. A cat may also display this with one or both ears if he has an ear infection, ear mites, or other ear discomfort.
Tail Lashing
When the cat starts whipping his tail back and forth it’s an indication of increasing agitation or tension. If you’re petting your cat at that moment, it means it’s time to stop—right now. An indoor cat sitting at the window watching an outdoor bird may start swishing his tail back and forth as a way of displacing all that built-up tension and impatience.
Scent-Marking Communication
Cats have scent glands that produce chemicals called pheromones. These scent glands are found on the forehead, around the mouth and chin, on the paw pads, and around the anal region. The cat’s use of scent marking is elaborate and highly developed. For example, secretions from a female’s scent glands provide the tomcat with information concerning her hormonal condition.
To help you get an idea of a cat’s emotional state during specific marking behaviors, picture your cat in profile. The pheromones produced on the front end (facial rubbing) have a calming effect on the cat. They’re usually reserved for marking in the cat’s familiar environment. The pheromones that come from the back end (urine spraying) are high intensity and are produced as a result of anxiety, fear, aggression, and uncertainty.
The glands located between the cat’s toes secrete a scent whenever he scratches on objects such as a tree or a scratching post. This activity provides an olfactory territory mark in addition to the visual.
Another gland involved in feline communication is located at the tip of the tail. This rather mysterious sebaceous gland is more active in intact males. Occasionally, the gland can become overactive and the tail gets a greasy look. This condition is referred to as stud tail.
Cats also use scent as a way of recognizing and communicating with each other. Two familiar cats will recognize each other and exchange greetings by engaging in nose-to-nose sniffing and then possibly anal sniffing.
Urine Marking
The pheromones in urine are the least subtle way for a cat to communicate or mark territory. Unneutered males are very territorial and tend to establish their ownership by spraying this strong-smelling urine. Having your cat neutered before he gets into this habit is very wise. The perimeters of the turf may be sprayed along with pathways and crossings. Let there be no doubt whose territory you are about to enter.
The cat who is about to spray turns his back to the object, and you very often will notice his tail twitching. When a cat sprays (as opposed to engaging in normal urination), the urine is sent out at a high level to make it convenient for another cat’s nose to catch the scent. Spraying, as opposed to urinating a small puddle on the ground, also allows the cat to cover a wider area.
Outdoors, urine spraying by an intact male is also used to entice females.
