Cat language for dummies

aonb

A small bundle of feline fur has taken over my life
This kitten (think its female) is a complete nutter and a joy!
Maybe some of you cat people can tell me what it means when:

1. She strokes my face (gently) with her paw
2. Tail bolt upright (when wandering around the room)
3. Purring - does it always mean 'happiness' - or does it have other meanings?
4. Tail down and drooping - e.g. when she hears something outside the room
5. How do u know when a kitten is tired (from playing) - since they dont do anything obvious or convenient like a dog panting!
6. Quick swishing of her tail from side to side?
7. Silent miaowing?

metaoblivia

1. Affection - she loves you!
2. Tail up means a cat is friendly and content
3. Purring usually means happiness, but cats have also been known to purr in stressful/frightening times to calm themselves down. But most often it's the former.
4. Tail down and dropping means "on guard," "what was that!?"
5. Cats DO pant, but before that they'll lie down when they need a break from playing, usually on their side. Sometimes it's just a quick break!
6. Swishing of the tail from side to side can mean annoyance or that they're "ready to pounce," and play fight.
7. A silent miaow isn't really silent, it's just done at a range we humans can't hear. She'll catch on eventually and start miaowing so you can hear. One of my kitties did this as a kitten a lot.

Also, keep an eye on her ears - cat body language revolves largely around the position of the tail and ears. Enjoy your new furbaby!!

Noxin

Careful of the tail swishing! Usually means you gonna end up with scratches all over your hands :P

Nody

Rather then me pratting I'll give you an expert directly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEbtXkd2XF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si-yk1KxYX0

And of course you need to talk back as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJXwaTVPI8

aonb

More ignorant-of-cats questions:

1. How do you 'tell' a cat its behaviour isnt allowed - e.g. not climbing up the curtains or whatever - a loud no to a puppy works - whatcha do for a kitten??

2. Does a cat 'learn' its name?!?

someone told me; you can call a dog and it comes, but you call a cat, and it gets back to you

Nody

aonb wrote: »

More ignorant-of-cats questions:

1. How do you 'tell' a cat its behaviour isnt allowed - e.g. not climbing up the curtains or whatever - a loud no to a puppy works - whatcha do for a kitten??

Remove the curtains or make sure kitty is exhausted and distracted with other things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJcWoksdlOM

2. Does a cat 'learn' its name?!?

someone told me; you can call a dog and it comes, but you call a cat, and it gets back to you

It can learn it's name; two of our cats will react to their name being called out and talk back; three others could not give a damn (but if you go into the kitchen they'll be coming running!).

Manach

Be glad the cat has not gone through the phase of leaving mice on one's pillow.
Unsure if it is a threat or treat. Either way it is a definite wake-up mechanism.

Pumpkinseeds

I think it's all been covered:) Poppy sometimes strokes my face with her paw, it's adorable. The 3 boys rarely do it, but are very affectionate as well. They all respond to their names and I read somewhere that cats respond best to names that have an 'E' sound at the end, like Poppy. I've never understood where people get the idea that cats are cold and stand offish, I've always found them to be very loving, affectionate and empathic, once you've gained their trust.

doubter

Manach wrote: »

Be glad the cat has not gone through the phase of leaving mice on one's pillow.
Unsure if it is a threat or treat. Either way it is a definite wake-up mechanism.

or big rats on the car hood...:eek:

mymo

Or a beheaded bunny on the garden table...

Head was on one of the chairs.
Really disgusting part was when small dog joined in dismembering and devouring said bunny.
Everyone got a good worming the next day!


Your kitten sounds happy and normal for its age, did it start chirruping at you yet?

All of ours do, either when they want something or sometimes when we open a door or window to let them in or out.

aonb

we live in the country, and are a terrier house, so bits of bunnies are an everyday occurence - ditto rats :eek:
Cant believe how this kitten has become so loving and tame and happy in so short a time. I am seriously besotted with it Just need to get my rabid terrier on board now and we're sorted. (Have started the process VERY slowly - not going great so far, but its early days)
Look forward to hearing a Chirrup - but since its only found its miaow-voice in the last 2 days...it used to do silent miaows! It Miaows at me now when I come in to the room to get it out of its crate but it also miaows very sadly when I put it back in the crate
Took some photos today; will put them up to show you why Im besotted