Reading Feline Body Language Rolan Tripp, DVM

Body Language Terminology Distance increasing behaviors vs. Distance reducing behaviors Concordance of Signals = many signals all giving the same message. vs. Discordance = body language giving conflicting messages. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Purring Contentment May occur when in pain or just before dying = “Seeking companionship” = Distance decreasing © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Feline Greeting Postures Many cats roll to greet Exposing vulnerable belly is a sign of trust Tail straight up is “willing to interact”. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Feline Greeting Postures - Tail The tail base up is confident Tail tip up or curved is willing to interact or friendly Tail swishing is Conflict. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Feline Greeting Postures – Head Rubbing = “Bunting” Pheromone Production Cheek Glands – just above each lip Tends to rub/mark objects with cheeks Pre-auricular Glands = just in front of each ear Tends to rub/mark beings with head This is the basis for “Feliway” product. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

“Feliway” “Feline Facial Pheromone Analog”… Changes the site from a urine mark target to a cheek mark target Calming effect. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

“Attentive Anxious” Eyes open, focused Ears forward focused Whiskers forward Weight on rear quarters for rapid response Muscle tone Tail twitching. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Recognizing Feline Aggressive Body Postures © Rolan Tripp, DVM

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Defensive Postures Cat attempts to look BIGGER Look at leg position Arched back Fluffed tail Piloerection Nails exsheathed Look at leg position Full extension = confident Crouched low = insecure, fearful © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Defensive Aggression - Pariah threat posture Low ranking threatened cat Crouched front legs Ears back Teeth bared Sign of fear and insecurity. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Defensive Aggression “Lateral Threat” Posture Cat uses every possible technique to appear larger: Piloerection (Fluffed) Arched back Turns to side to seem BIGGER. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Defensive Postures Full defensive aggressive posture Laying on back Teeth bared Whiskers back Front and rear claws exsheathed and ready Tail switching for balance and communicating anger © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Cat-Cat Aggression Postures Eye to eye Ears forward Tails out and back - swishing for balance and communication Low center of gravity Piloerection Forward whiskers. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Flehmen posturing “Volmeronasal Organ” is a secondary olfactory system Odors enter near the hard palate inside the mouth Used for special odors like urine or reproductive pheromones © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Female Reproductive Posture Male is selected, allowed to approach Female in estrus assumes “lordosis” pose Tail to the side Presents ano-genital area for sniffing. Female in “Lordosis” pose © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Male Reproductive Posture Tom does neck bite to stabilize female and protect self Treading and stepping movements position pelvis for coitus. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Urine Marking = “Spraying” Cat backs up to target Tail is straight up and quivering Small amounts of urine are sprayed up and out to mark object © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Marking territory with paws Leaves scent mark from pads Plus visual mark from claws Also satisfies need for stretching and sharpening claws. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

“Please let me out!” What is this kitten saying? Eyes: Focused Ears: Forward and up = Focused Nose: Up and forward = Focused Throat: Solicitation Body: Feet off ground = Non-threatening Tail: Base up, tip up = Friendly, willing to interact “Please let me out!”

“Thanks for letting me out. Now stop threatening me.” What is this kitten saying? “Thanks for letting me out. Now stop threatening me.” Eyes: Looking away = Disinterested, or disarming Ears: To side and back = Uncertain Nose: Turned partially away = Distance increasing Tail: Up and curved forward = Distance decreasing (Above include discordant signals) HUMAN: Back arched; Staring; Claws and teeth exposed; = Trying to be friendly; actually being threatening

Kittens in Kindergarten (Don’t know each other) Orange Kitten on right… Eyes: Focused = Attentive Ears: Full front = Alert, focused, confident Body: Back mildly arched Body: Rump setting down = slowing rate of interaction (SIT is a STOP message). Tail: Base up, tip straight = Confident/Neutral. B&W Kitten on Left… Eyes: Focused = Attentive Ears: Up, forward = Interested and focused Body: Arched back = Trying to intimidate. Body: One paw raised = Impending (undetermined) change of behavior Tail: Base up, tip up = Very willing to interact

Kittens in Kindergarten (Don’t know each other) Grey Kitten on right… Eyes: Turned =some new interest Ears: Full front elsewhere = Alert, focused, confident Nose: Whiskers forward = Confident Body: Neck and shoulder exposed to new cat = no worry of attack (confident) Tail: Base up, tip straight = Confident/Neutral. Striped Kitten On Left… Eyes: Focused = Attentive Ears: Out + back = Anxious and uncertain Nose: Whiskers out = Gathering data Body: Approaching slowly at an arc = Non-confrontive approach Tail: Base Down, Tip up = Cautious but willing to interact

Dog confronts cat. What is cat signaling? Eyes: Wide, pupils dilated = High arousal Ears straight out = ½ way between fear and attack Throat: Growl = Distance increasing Paw: Raised = Impending change; Threat Body: Tense; Backed up to wall = Ready to spring Tail: Tucked = Distance increasing Dog is looking away, ears fully up, debating options. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

One stressed cat in a happy group Orange tabby has tail tucked which is unfriendly Shoulder, ear position give away threat Target of threat is unfazed suggesting senior status Stressed cat is thinnest of group. © Rolan Tripp, DVM

These cat tails signal coming and going These cat tails signal coming and going. Overall - lack of social tension. Cats entering group have tails up Cat leaving has lower tail Orange tabby in rear is signaling an alliance by contact He is fully stretched out facing away; belly exposed = high trust © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Affiliative Behavior (Cats are social!) © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Unwanted Male Cat Behavior © Rolan Tripp, DVM

Questions? © Rolan Tripp, DVM