A cat that hisses is easy to read. Most of the time, cats are far quieter than that. A flick of the tail, ears turned a little sideways, pupils that suddenly widen. By the time a cat swipes, it has usually said “stop” several times already.
Learn the signs and you’ll know when a cat wants a stroke, when it wants space, and when something is wrong.
The short version
- Tail straight up means hello.
- Ears flat or turned sideways means worried or cross.
- Slow blinks and half-closed eyes mean relaxed.
- A belly up shows trust. It isn’t an invitation to rub it.
- Read the whole cat, and the situation, never one sign alone.
The tail
The tail is the easiest place to start. International Cat Care’s guide to cat communication and PDSA’s guide to cat body language agree on the main ones:
- Straight up. A friendly greeting. Often with a little curl at the tip, and often as the cat walks towards you.
- Held low or out, loose. Relaxed and going about its business.
- Swishing slowly from side to side. Frustrated, or making up its mind.
- Twitching or lashing fast. Irritated. Stop stroking.
- Tucked tight under or around the body. Worried or scared.
- Puffed up like a bottle brush, with an arched back. Frightened and trying to look bigger. Leave it alone.
The ears
- Up and facing forward. Calm, or interested in something.
- Up but turned outward. Alert, and possibly frustrated.
- Turned sideways and a little down, sometimes called airplane ears. Worried. The RSPCA describes a fearful cat’s ears as slightly swivelled sideways.
- Pressed flat against the head. Frightened or angry. Give it space.
Ears move constantly as a cat listens, so watch for the position they settle in.
The eyes
- Half-closed, soft, slow blinks. Relaxed and content.
- Wide open, big round pupils. Scared or very excited. Pupils also widen in dim light, so check the setting.
- A hard stare with little blinking. Tense, or fixed on something it sees as a threat.
The slow blink works both ways. In a 2020 study, cats were more likely to blink back and walk up to people who slow blinked at them. Practise it with our slow blink trainer.
The body
- Stretched out or curled up, loose. Relaxed and safe.
- The loaf: sitting with paws tucked underneath. Usually settled and comfortable. But a cat hunched tight with its eyes open, not resting, may be unwell or uneasy. The RSPCA lists looking hunched while resting as a sign of stress or pain.
- Crouched low, head pulled in, feet planted. Anxious, and ready to run.
- Arched back, fur on end, side-on to you. Frightened and saying “stay away”.
- Rolling onto its back. Usually a friendly greeting, a sign the cat feels safe. But it’s not an invitation. PDSA warns that a cat on its back doesn’t always want a belly rub, and many will grab your hand. Say hello and stroke its cheek instead.
Whiskers
Relaxed whiskers sit out to the sides. Whiskers fanned forward mean the cat is alert or tense. Whiskers flattened back against the cheeks mean it’s nervous or frightened.
Read the whole cat
No single sign tells the whole story. A crouch can mean fear, or a cat about to pounce in play. PDSA points out that purring doesn’t always mean happy either: cats also purr when they’re anxious or in pain.
So look at everything together, and at what’s going on around the cat. Tail up, ears forward and soft eyes: go ahead. A swishing tail, ears turning sideways and wide pupils: that cat has had enough, even if it’s still sitting on your lap.
Want to test yourself? Try the Cat Mood Decoder.
Street cats say it more quietly
A cat that lives outside often won’t hiss or puff up. It simply keeps its distance, watches you, and slips away. Ears that swivel towards you, a body that stays low and a tail held close are all a quiet “not now”.
The good signs are quieter too. A street cat that sits down within sight of you, looks away, or gives you a slow blink is starting to trust you. Our guide to approaching a shy cat shows what to do next. And if you live with a cat that does love a cuddle, Hug Your Cat Day has tips for doing it on its terms.
Questions people ask
What does it mean when a cat’s tail is straight up?
It’s a friendly greeting. A cat walking towards you with its tail up, often with a little curl at the tip, is saying hello.
Why does my cat show me its belly and then bite?
Rolling over shows the cat feels safe with you. It isn’t asking for a belly rub, and many cats grab a hand that tries. Stroke its cheek or chin instead.
What do flat ears mean on a cat?
Ears pressed flat against the head mean the cat is frightened or angry. Ears turned sideways mean it’s worried. Either way, give it space.
Learn the cats on your street one by one. Snap them, name them, and add them to your CatDex.
