Understanding Cat Behavior

Like all animals, a cat's behavior relies primarily on its instinct. Many common behaviors include reactions to certain events, such as interaction with humans, other animals, and their environment. The key to understanding a cat and why it does the things it does is by observation and assessment of reaction. Cats have a language of their own, one that contains both vocalization and bodily movements, and it is often shared with people to communicate their wants or intentions.

Vocalization

"Meow" might seem like something a cat says just because it has to say something. However, what many people overlook, is that "meow" can mean anything from a greeting such as "hello" to an objection like "pet me at your own risk." Sometimes a cat might chirp, as in what a mother cat does to her kittens to get them to follow her. But don't get too excited - they're usually taking you to their empty food bowl. Occasionally a cat might even chatter, a noise which baffles many cat owners and is still in question by cat experts. You might see them chattering by the window as they watch a squirrel or a bird. Cat experts believe it may be in anticipation of the "killing bite," when a cat grabs the neck of its prey.
Cats also have language similar to angry yelling or scolding. Hissing, growling, or spitting indicates that a cat is annoyed or frightened, to be taken as a warning to keep your distance. They also yowl, which is like a loud, drawn-out meow. This usually means that they're in some kind of distress, pain, or just keeping a neighbor's cat out of the yard.

Body Language

About half of a cat's language comes from the way it uses its body. It uses its ears, eyes, tail, and posture to convey a certain emotion. For example, when a cat is feeling affectionate, they might close their eyes (another way of saying "I am vulnerable to you"), stick their tail straight up, relax their ears, and lean into your touch. If a cat is feeling threatened, they might crouch with their ears pinned back, eyes wide with pupils dilated, tail either swaying vigorously or stiff and poofy, and mouth wide to show their teeth. Some emotions a cat portrays are more obvious than others, so it is important to do some research and figure out just what a cat is trying to say, especially if it is yours.