cat behavior


Cat Behavior



Tale of the Tail

While dogs primarily communicate with their tails using various forms of wagging, cats communicate with their tails more in terms of position and shape. The position we're most familiar with is the straight up "greeting." The tail is vertical like a pencil, and you usually see it when your cat is happy to see you. If the tip of the tail is bent slightly, it generally means he's very happy.

A tail straight up with the fur bristled out has quite the opposite meaning. This cat feels threatened. Usually when the cat is in this mode, she'll stand sideways to the perpetrator in order to appear as large as possible.

A cat often uses her tail to let you know her intentions in order to avoid conflict. A cat who is being petted, and decides she no longer likes it, will begin a slow swish of the tail. The cat is telling you to back off. If the unwanted petting continues, most cats will either bat you with a front paw or get up and walk away, disgusted.

A cat that has really had it with the person or animal annoying her, will whip her tail rapidly. If that's not enough for the annoyer to get a clue, there's usually a deep growl to accompany the frantic tail. The cat has given more than fair warning, before becoming aggressive.

When stalking prey (real or imagined) the cat's tail will be straight out, twitching or quivering. This is usually seen when the cat's whole body is spring-loaded, in pre-pounce position. The subtle movement of the tail is to notify other cats of their intentions, while not alerting their prey.

Cat Tail Dictionary

Straight Up: Hey, how's it going?

Straight up, Tip Bent: Great to see you! Is that food I smell?

Straight Up, Fur Bristled: You're scaring me.

Twitching: Get ready for the master hunter.

Swishing: Back off!

Whipping: I'm warning you!

Straight Out, Still: I'm focused on something.

Straight Out, Twitching: I found what I want. Prepare for attack!

Hooked (Upside Down U), with Other Cats: I'm playing!

Lowered: I submit.

Wrapped around Body: I'm fine with things as they are.



Reading Your Cat's Body Language

The Mew Story... By ASPCA The Tale Of The Tail... When the tail is flying high: "all is terrific." When it is at half-mast: "all is not terrific." When it is dropped low: "I'm very unhappy." When it twitches back and forth: "back off." When the tip twitches: "I'm self conscious." When it's bushy: "I'm angry!" Tongues Talk When Cats Groom... Embarrassment: Rapid, non-stop licking. OK: Short staccato licks looking at you. Boredom: Constant, deep intense licks. Nervousness: Short, shallow licks. Affection: The cat licks you. A good time to train. The Ear Story... Ears alert/straight up: Ready for fun or affection. Ears flat out sideways: "What's up?" Ears downward: "I'm defensive. Watch out!" Ears down and back: "I'm furious. Watch out!" Listen To My Paws... Paw kneading: "I'm content." Paw strokes, Paw hugs: "I love you." Paw nagging: "Hurry up!" Paw blows:" A fight!" The Eyes Say It... Eyes wide open and looking at you: "I'm listening." Eyes half closed: "I'm sleepy." Eye pupils in slits: "I'm feeling alert and confident." Bug-eyed: "I'm frightened."...so be careful! Blinking and winking: "I'm talking to you, I like you." Eyes clouded: "I'm ill."Or, "I'm relaxed." Eyes staring: "Stay away." A stare is a challenge. Advice: Take a few minutes every day to have a conversation with your cat. The sound of your voice will help your cat become responsive and friendly. © 2000 ASPCA ASPCA 424 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128-6804 www.aspca.org




Animal Dreams

If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably already guessed that the answer to this is YES! But are they really dreaming – and if so, what in the world do they dream about?

Many scientists say there is evidence to support the notion that dogs, cats, and in fact, every mammal that’s been studied, does experience dreams.

There are two main types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep (SWS). SWS and REM sleep in pets are very similar to that of humans. During this time, the brain processes information learned during the day. Think of it as sorting new information into different mental file folders.

At some point during these two kinds of sleep, dreams take over — in humans as well as in pets. Thus, the twitching, tail wagging, yipping, and pawing your dog does in his sleep, or the tail whipping, chattering, yowling and swatting from your napping cat is likely a reliving of whatever experiences he’s had while awake.

Of course, human dreams also get a lot of their material from the imagination, which makes us wonder if dogs and cats have imaginations in addition to memories! (Anyone who has witnessed their playful cat pay attention to something that’s seemingly not there, and then react to it, is likely to believe their cat must have an active imagination!)

In humans, scientists have found that when awakened during REM sleep, the subject has reported having a dream. During the REM sleep, the human brain has a lot of “gamma activity” going on, just like it does when the person is awake. This means that essentially, the brain is behaving just as it does when conscious. Since every mammal studied shows the same brain activity during REM sleep as us humans, it’s not such a leap to believe that your pet really is dreaming.

Ok – not every mammal studied has the same brain activity. The duck-billed platypus experiences more REM sleep than any other mammal, yet its brain activity is completely different during this time of sleep. However, this should come as no surprise from a mammal that lays eggs.

Adult dogs spend about 10 to 12 percent of their sleeping time in REM sleep. Puppies and kittens spend a much greater proportion of their sleep time in REM sleep, which makes sense since they’ve been so busy all day exploring their new world. They have tons of new data to process, sort and store into their memories.

So the next time your pet has an unusually exciting experience during the morning, pay special attention to his behavior while he naps that afternoon. You might just catch your pet reliving the past — in dreams!

Courtesy of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland




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