Cat Body Language and Communication Basics
The posture can indicate an indifference, acceptance, or even desire for interaction, or else the posture can say “don’t come any closer” or even “go away.” For example, a play solicitation posture is a distance-reducing display while a cat standing stiff-legged and displaying piloerection (hair standing on end) is clearly requesting an increase in distance.
Body Language and Communication Basics
Cats are famously fastidious and can be seen grooming themselves on a regular basis. The cat ’s saliva contains a natural odor neutralizer and that’s why the kitty’s fur smells so fresh after a tongue bath.
Grooming removes dirt, loose hairs, parasites, and other debris.
In an outdoor environment, grooming is more than just a cleanliness issue—it’s a survival instinct,
as discussed earlier, for the cat to rid himself of all scent traces.
Cats will also self-groom as a displacement behavior when they’re anxious or unsure of a
situation. Taken to the extreme, some cats can groom themselves so much they create bald patches.
There are several underlying medical causes for extreme self-grooming. For example, a cat may
overgroom an area that is painful, and certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism can cause
overgrooming.
Allogrooming
Mutual grooming between cats serves many functions. It’s most often a bonding and social behavior
between familiar cats. It can also be used to reinforce status as well as relieve stress. Cats may also
groom each other to create one familiar, communal scent.
Your cat may also enjoy grooming you and this usually is a very special bonding moment.
Bunting and Rubbing
Using the scent glands on the forehead and face, the cat rubs or nudges his face against you or a
. As he rubs, he deposits ascent onto the person or
animal. This is typically an affectionate behavior and probably has more to do with bonding than
marking.
Allorubbing
This refers to one cat rubbing against another and is a component of social communication among
familiar cats. Allorubbing is usually done by one cat rubbing his flank along the side of another cat.
Cats who are friendly to each other may also engage in bunting behavior before or during
allorubbing. This behavior is also displayed by cats toward humans.
Piloerection (aka Halloween Cat)
Just about everyone is familiar with this famous defensive posture. The cat arches his back with
piloerection of hair. He will also turn sideways and this is all done to appear larger and more
threatening to an approaching opponent.
Offensive Aggressive Posture
The cat will be standing stiff-legged to appear as tall and imposing as possible. Piloerection of hair
adds to that imposing appearance. The cat will give a direct stare at the opponent. The pupils are
constricted. Ears are flattened back and slightly down. The tail position is down but not tucked under the
body.
Defensive Aggressive Posture
The cat stands sideways and although his head is facing his opponent, he avoids a direct stare. The
the tail is usually tucked and he holds his body lower to the ground or raises up and assumes a puffed up
stance with piloerection. Pupils are dilated and ears are flattened.
Side Step
In a playful, friendly environment, a cat may solicit a companion to participate in play by standing
sideways with a slightly arched back and arched tail. Although the posture is similar to the defensive
Halloween cat image, there’s no piloerection, no facial tension, and no desire to fight.
