Tag: body language

Cat Faces: Decoding Cat Facial Expressions & Emotions

Posted on November 14, 2024 - 5:50 pm by
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.

Deciphering Dog Body Language

Posted on October 10, 2024 - 8:50 pm by
A black and brown dog standing in the grass arching its back with its tail in the air.

Your dog may not be able to tell you whether they’re feeling sad or happy or scared, but looking at how your dog’s ears are positioned, how they’re holding their tail and other body language cues can help you decode how they’re feeling. Body language is one of the ways that dogs communicate with each other, and we can use those visual clues, too — just like how we can use hand signals as commands. Let’s go over some of the canine body language cues and what they mean.

Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language

When you start to learn how to read dog body language, it’s important to look at the whole picture. While dog ears and tails on their own can give some clues about how dogs are feeling, the dog’s communication cues need to be read in context. For example, when dogs’ ears are upright, that could mean they are feeling playful, but it can also be an early sign of aggression. Looking at the rest of their body language and the situation will help determine which one it is.

In this article, we’ll go over dog ear position meanings, tail tales and general body positions to help you understand how your dog is feeling. Remember that every dog is different — these are generalizations. You know your dog way better than anyone else, so you will be the best person to interpret how they’re feeling.

Happy or Excited Dogs

A happy dog will typically have a slightly raised and big, wide wagging tail. They’ll have relaxed ears that will be in their natural position — for some dogs this will be pointed ears and for others it will be floppy ears. If your dog’s excited, their tail may be slightly raised and have a fast wag. A dog that’s ready for play will have high and perky ears with relaxed body language. You may notice that the tail of a playful dog will be wagging mostly to the right. Their eyes will be big and wide and their mouth will be open but not baring teeth (you might say they were smiling).

Nervous or Anxious Dogs

A nervous dog will have their tail hanging down and doing relaxed little wags. If they’re anxious, you may notice the tail is mostly wagging to the left. They may have their ears back and possibly flattened against their head. Their pupils may be dilated and they might be giving you “whale eye.” We’ll describe whale eyes a little later.

Curious or Alert Dogs

A curious dog may have a loose tail that is straight out (horizontal). If curiosity has moved on to alert, their tail may go straight up (vertical). Their ears will be upright, perky and facing forward. They may even move their ears like a radar to fine-tune where the curious sound is coming from. They’ll have an open mouth but not show teeth and may be looking intently but not at anything in particular — they’re busy listening to whatever they’re curious about or alert to.

Fearful or Scared Dogs

A fearful dog will typically crouch near the ground and have their tail still and tucked between their legs. Alternatively, they may display submissive behaviors such as rolling onto their back and exposing their belly. Fearful dogs will often yawn and repeatedly lick their lips. They may pant and have dilated pupils.

Aggressive or Defensive Dogs

Dogs who are showing aggressive behaviors will usually stand tall at full height, possibly leaning forward and holding their tail straight up. Their tail may be arched over their back and doing quick wags. They may raise their hackles — their hair bristles down their spine. The whites of their eyes may be more obvious, they may bare their teeth, growl, or snarl and snap at the air. Aggressive dogs pull their ears down and have them pinned flat against their head.

It’s important to note that any dog, even the most mild-mannered dog, will bite if they’re pushed to the edge. Dog bites can occur in many different scenarios — not just when the dog is showing aggressive body language. They can also bite if they’re fearful, feel threatened, are startled, are in pain or if their space is invaded, especially when eating. That’s why it’s recommended to never leave young children alone with a dog.

Dog Behavior 101

Here are some frequently asked questions related to dog body language and behavior. If you have other questions about your dog’s behavior and what it means, ask your veterinarian or a certified dog trainer. They can help you identify whether it’s a normal behavior or something to be concerned about.

What Is “Dog Whale Eye?”

Whale eye or “half-moon eye” is usually seen in dogs who are feeling stressed or anxious. The dog will turn their head away but keep looking at whomever or whatever is causing the stress or perceived threat. This makes the white of their eyes appear as a half-moon shape. You may also notice other signs of anxiety and stress like their tail between their legs and their ears flat against their head.

Why Do Dogs Sit Facing Away from You?

This position is usually a sign of trust. They feel comfortable enough with you to not have to keep a watchful eye on you. If your dog backs into you when greeting you, that’s also a friendly, submissive sign (i.e., they probably want you to sniff their nether regions). Or maybe you just give really good back scratches when they sit like this?

Can Your Dog’s Ears and Tail Really Tell You How They’re Feeling?

Yes, the position of your dog’s ears and tail can give you an indication of how they’re feeling. As we mentioned, you should use situational context along with ear and tail positions and body posture to understand how your dog is feeling. And remember you are the best person to know how your dog is feeling.