Tag: behavior

Cat Faces: Decoding Cat Facial Expressions & Emotions

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A hand reaching down to scratch the chin of a small cat.

Many people assume that cats’ faces aren’t the most expressive when it comes to communication, particularly compared to dogs. You can certainly tell when a kitty is mad or needy or content, but generally you might think they are fairly stoic in their facial expressions. Well, research shows us that this is not the case — cats can actually produce 276 different facial signals!

There Are Over 200 Facial Expressions in Domestic Cats!

In a study that looked at facial signals in cats, researchers observed the behavior of 53 cats at the CatCaféLounge in Los Angeles. During the study, a special tool designed for cats called facial action coding systems (FACS) was used to analyze the facial expression of each cat during interactions with other cats.

They found that cats can produce 276 different facial signals when they interact socially with their cat counterparts. They also identified eight facial muscle movements that were produced differently in friendly or not-so-friendly interactions with other cats. They concluded that a cat’s facial signals correspond to different social functions, a tactic which is likely influenced by domestication. Those cat faces are not so stoic after all!

Cat Expressions Use More Than Faces

While cats may have over 200 different facial signals, these expressions are subtle, and you’re more likely to determine how cats feel by watching their whole body language — their ear position, body position and tail movements. For example, a happy cat will have their tail up with a little curve at the end and their ears will be relaxed, up and forward. Their whiskers are relaxed and you may even notice a slow blink if you watch their eyes closely. A grumpy cat will flatten their ears, show their teeth, puff up their hair on a stiff body and whip their tail back and forth. It’s definitely time to give them some space if you notice these signs. If cats feel anxious or stressed, they will have dilated pupils with their ears flattened and head lowered. Their body will cower and their tail will be low.

Behavior Can Help Decipher How Your Cat Is Feeling

Behavioral changes can be a good clue into how your cat feels. For example, if they’re feeling stressed or anxious, they may have accidents, refuse to eat and become more reclusive. Behavioral changes can also indicate that your cat is in pain.

Cats are skilled at hiding their pain; it’s a natural instinct that was essential for the survival of their wild ancestors who wanted to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. Signs of pain in domestic cats are often vague — you might find your cat hiding from you or not wanting to interact with you as much as usual. They may groom less because stretching is uncomfortable, or they may groom more leading to bare patches of skin. They may lose their appetite, seem more finicky or have accidents because it’s too painful to use the litter box.

Do Cats Have Feelings or Emotions?

According to an article in Psychology Today, it is believed that cats show six basic emotions — anger, happiness, fear, surprise, disgust and sadness — the same emotions that dogs are believed to express. What is less certain is whether cats (or dogs) can show more complex emotions like jealousy, guilt, shame, disappointment, compassion and pride.

However, the article details a survey of over 1,000 dog and/or cat owners mostly from Belgium and the Netherlands who were asked to record cat emotions (or dog emotions). Most people reported observing the six basic emotions in cats and dogs. The more complex emotions were observed less often than the basic emotions, and more frequently in dogs than cats. Anger and disgust were more frequently attributed to cats than dogs, and joy and surprise were more commonly associated with young cats than older cats.

Can Cats Understand Human Emotions?

Research has shown that social cats like to be around people and that cats prefer to interact with humans rather than food or toys. You can tell how socially “smart” your cat is and if they can read your basic emotions by doing this simple test.

Sit in a room with your cat and bring in an object that might be unsettling to them, like a robot vacuum cleaner or fan that makes noise. After a while, move to the object and “pet” it, saying what a nice fan or vacuum cleaner it is in a calm, happy voice. If your cat is initially scared of the object but eventually calms and even approaches it, your cat can probably tune into your emotional cues and adjust its behavior accordingly.

Facial expression is just one way cats communicate how they are feeling to pet owners, each other and other animals. Cats use their whole body to communicate, so watching for those more obvious signs can help tell you what’s going on in that brain at any given time much more easily than your cat’s face.

Cat Training: How to Keep Cats off Counters

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A brown tabby cat lying comfortably on a kitchen counter.

Cats are curious, athletic pets with a natural interest in high places like a table, shelf or bookcase. If there’s a kitchen counter with a good view of the room, your feline friend may see it as the perfect place to sit, watch and explore. However, cats on countertops can create safety and hygiene concerns, especially when you’re cooking or preparing food nearby.

The good news is that there are ways to keep your kitty off your counters. The goal isn’t to make your cat afraid of the kitchen, it’s to teach better boundaries, offer more appropriate alternatives and make these areas less tempting. With consistent training and a few safety changes, you can help keep your cat off countertops without using fear or punishment.

Why Do Cats Jump on Counters?

When you’re trying to keep your cat off counters, it helps to understand why the behavior is happening in the first place. There is always a reason a cat jumps onto a kitchen counter, even if that reason isn’t obvious to humans.

Many cats enjoy high vantage points because they feel more secure when they can see what’s happening around them. Your kitty may also jump up because they’ve learned that a counter or table gets your attention.

Curiosity can also play a role. If your cat hears loud noises, sees movement or smells something interesting, the counter may be the first thing they investigate. Understanding the reason behind their kitchen counter exploration gives you the best chance of choosing the appropriate training method.

Remove Food and Other Temptations from Kitchen Counters

One of the simplest ways to deter cats from jumping on the counter is to make the surface less rewarding. If your kitty jumps up and finds cat food, human food, dishes or interesting items to bat around, they have a reason to return.

Wipe down countertops after cooking and put food away as soon as meals are over. Don’t leave snacks, butter, meat, bread or dirty dishes where your cat can reach them. If your cat opens cabinets looking for food or treats, childproof latches may help keep them out of those spaces.

This step matters because training is much harder when the reward is still available. A clean, boring surface is less fun than one that smells like dinner.

Offer Cats an Elevated Alternative to Counters

Cats still need approved places where they can jump, perch and watch the room. Instead of only trying to stop the unwanted behavior, give your kitty better options.

Cat trees, scratching posts, shelves, window perches and other cat furniture can provide alternative high spaces. Place a cat tree or perch near the kitchen, so your feline friend can be close to the action without sitting on the kitchen counter. You can encourage use of these areas with treats, toys, praise or a cozy blanket.

The more rewarding the approved spot is, the more likely your cat will choose it. For some cats, a high space like a perch near a window or a tall cat tree in a busy room may be more appealing than the countertop.

Use Cat Training to Teach Better Habits

Training can be used to correct common cat behaviors, but it works best when it rewards the behavior you want. When your kitty chooses their cat tree, scratching posts or another approved surface, offer praise, a treat or a short play session.

You can also train cats to respond to a simple cue like “Off.” If your cat jumps onto the table or counter, calmly guide them to the floor or to an approved perch. Once all four paws are on the ground or in the right place, reward the behavior. You could also try clicker training.

With cat training, consistency is important. Everyone in the home should follow the same rules. If one person allows the cat on countertops and another person doesn’t, your cat will have a harder time learning which areas are off limits.

How to Keep Cats off Counters Naturally

If you’re wondering how to keep cats off counters naturally, focus on safe deterrents and environmental changes. The goal is to make the surface less appealing while making approved alternatives more rewarding.

Some pet parents use aluminum foil, double-sided tape or other temporary textures because many cats dislike the feeling on their paws. The idea behind cats and tin foil is that the crinkly sound and smooth feel of foil may make the surface less inviting. Cookie sheets can also create an unfamiliar surface, but avoid anything that could slide, fall or make them afraid.

Any deterrent should be pet safe, temporary and used carefully. Avoid harsh scented products, essential oils or sprays that could irritate your cat. Scent-based deterrents are not always safe for pets, so ask your veterinarian before using them.

Avoid Punishment and Scare Tactics to Keep Cats off Counters

It may be tempting to use a spray bottle, loud noises or other startling methods when your kitty jumps on the counter, but those approaches can backfire. Physical punishment, yelling or booby trapping the counter can make your cat afraid of you or the room instead of teaching them the correct behavior.

A spray bottle may stop the behavior in the moment, but it usually doesn’t teach a long-term habit. Your cat may simply learn to avoid the counter when you’re nearby, then jump up again at night or when no one is watching. Calm redirection, cat-approved alternatives and consistent rewards are usually more effective than punishment.

How to Keep Cats off Furniture

Many of the same tips can help if you’re trying to keep cats off furniture. First, figure out what your cat wants from the surface. Are they looking for comfort, height, warmth, security, attention or a better view?

Once you know the reason, offer an alternative. A soft bed may help if your cat likes sitting on the couch. A scratching post may help if they’re scratching furniture. A cat tree or high perch may help if they want to watch people, pets or even dogs in the room from above. You may not be able to completely stop every jump right away, but you can teach better habits over time.

Be Patient When Training Cats to Stay off Counters

Changing cat behavior takes time. If your kitty has been jumping on counters and tables for months or years, they probably won’t stop after one training session. Keep surfaces clean, remove food temptation, reward good choices and make approved spaces more fun. With the right training, patience and setup, you can help keep your cats off counters while still giving them the high spaces, attention and enrichment they need.