February 11, 2025, 4:39 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Cats have their very own way of communicating with us. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their behavior. Many people don’t know what it means when a cat wags its tail or why pets like to lie in empty boxes. PETBOOK helps you to better understand your cat’s language.
Cats communicate primarily through their body language. In doing so, they display some behaviors that we find strange but which are completely normal in the world of cats. But what does it mean when the animals sit chattering at the window or suddenly run wildly through the apartment? In the following, we not only explain the body language and sounds of cats. We also present typical behaviors and reveal what lies behind them. Read on for insights into understanding cats.
Overview
How Do Cats Show That They Like Someone?
Cats are often considered stubborn and independent — but when they really like someone, they give clear signals. From a gentle nuzzle to a trusting blink, every gesture is a small sign of love.
But what exactly does “I love you” look like in cat language? These five behaviors show that your cat loves you:
- Head-butting and rubbing: A cat that presses its head or cheek against you is marking you with its scent glands, showing trust and affection.
- Kneading: When cats take turns kicking you with their paws, this is also known as “milk kicking” – a sign of deep well-being.
- Licking and grooming: When your cat licks you or brushes your hair, it sees you as part of its family.
- Slow blinking: Blinking slowly is a sign of trust and affection in the cat world. Blink back slowly to strengthen the bond!
- Cuddling and snuggling: Some cats like to lie on people. Usually on your lap or on your chest or stomach area, as the body heat is particularly intense there — a sign that your cat feels safe.
What Does a Cat’s Tail Position Mean?
A cat’s tail is like a mood indicator that tells us a lot about its feelings. Sometimes upright and curious, sometimes wildly lashing or puffed up — every movement has a meaning. The key to understanding cats better is to always keep an eye on their tails.
This is what the tail positions of cats mean:
- Upright with slightly curved tip: Friendly, outgoing mood.
- Tail fluffed up: A sign of fear or defensiveness.
- Rapid whipping or lashing: Can signal frustration or anger.
- Slowly moving back and forth: This shows that the cat is focused or unsure.
- Tucked between the legs: A sign of fear or submission.
By the way, the position of the cat’s ears also has a meaning! For example, ears that are turned sideways indicate that the cat is relaxed.
Understanding Cats: What Cat Noises Mean
Cats not only have impressive body language but also a whole repertoire of sounds to communicate with us and their environment. From gentle purring to energetic hissing – every pitch carries a message.
These are typical sounds of a cat:
- Purring: Usually a sign of well-being, but it can also mean comfort or coping with pain.
- Meowing: Different sounds mean hunger, greeting, or attention.
- Growling and hissing: Signal fear or defensive behavior.
- Chirping and cooing: Often used to greet conspecifics or humans.
Behavior explained 4 reasons why cats stare at people continuously
Behavior explained This is what happens when the baby is suddenly attacked by the cat
On their hind legs, jumping about… How to correctly interpret the body language of rabbits
Understanding Cats: Typical Behaviors
A cat’s behavior often indicates its mood and needs. Whether it suddenly throws itself on its back, dashes around the home at breakneck speed, or persistently lays siege to boxes — there is a clear message behind all these behaviors. But what do they mean?
- Why does my cat scratch the sofa or door? It is marking its territory and relieving stress. To avoid this behavior, you should offer your cat more scratching opportunities (scratching boards, scratching posts).
- What does it mean when my cat lies on its back? A relaxed cat shows its most vulnerable part — the belly — as a sign of well-being and trust.
- Why do cats like to lie in boxes?? As soon as there is a box in the room, the cat jumps into it. The reason is that they like tight hiding places and like to use boxes as a retreat.
- Why is my cat suddenly running wildly through the apartment? Sudden running attacks (“zoomies”) are a completely normal behavior to release excess energy. A clear sign for you: Your cat wants to play!
- Why does my cat want to go in and out? Cats love control over their territory. They always want to check whether anything has changed in their environment. That’s why they often want to get into a room, out again and back again quickly.
- Why does my cat want to accompany me to the toilet? There can be many reasons why your cat likes to accompany you to the toilet. However, cats usually come along because they are simply curious and don’t want to be excluded.
- Why does my cat present its backside when I pet it? When a cat shows its backside to its human, it is a sign of trust. Among cats, this behavior is a common greeting and social gesture.