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What is my pet telling me? Cat ear dictionary

How do your cat's ears show how they feel? This blog post decodes cat ear postures. Part 3 of 15.

A vector illustration on a large rectangle, of Violet, a medium-sized cat with white fur and only her left eye; Her left ear and tail are aubergine, sitting on the right, next to and looking at a large paw shape, on the left of the rectangle.

Pets are part of our families, but we speak different languages. To help you, we created a  pet language investigation method so you can understand your pet better.

The initial step when investigating your cat's body language to create a successful translation and lead to many joyful interactions with them is to gather clues.

To gain a deeper understanding of this investigation process, check out our previous blog post on how to investigate pet body language.

Let's begin!

Look for the clues
Every clue is crucial and meaningful when studying the message your pet is sending you. 

Cat ear dictionary

Learning about cat ear postures and movements  

Cats can perceive the auditory world around them through their ears. Their position can indicate that the cat is alert, relaxed, or has sensed danger. Cats can move their ears quickly, subtly, and independently, so you must be attentive! 

Upright and slightly rotated to the side 

Your cat is relaxed and not paying particular attention to what’s happening. They feel safe. 


Upright forward

Your cat is alert and noticing the environment. They are trying to evaluate if it’s safe. Or your cat is curious about something interesting that is happening.


Flattened

Your cat is sensing danger. They are still trying to gather information, but the more fearful the cat is, the flatter their ears become. 


Backward rotation

Your cat doesn’t feel safe and is prepared to defend themself if necessary.  


That’s it! Practice investigating your pet's language every now and then. After a while, most steps will become natural to you!

Stay tuned for our next blog post. We'll explore how your cat’s eyes can show how they feel.

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References
  1. Galaxy, Jackson (2017). Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat. TarcherPerigee Book.
  2. SCPA- Cat communication 101
  3. Hattori, Dr. Yuki (2020). What Cats Want. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  4. Liesbeth Puts (2021). THE HANDBOOK FOR A HAPPY CAT: Speak Their Language, Decode Their Quirks, and Meet Their Needs— So They’ll Love You Back! Kosmos Publishers

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