Understanding your cat's mood

Cats, just like us, can feel a whole range of emotions. They might be happy, scared, or even angry. Unlike humans though, cats can't use words to tell us how they're feeling, so they rely on their body language. Their tail, posture, and facial expressions are the main ways they communicate what they want and how they feel. Curious about how to read your cat's mood? Read on to find out more about happy, scared, and angry cats.

A happy cat

We all want our furry friends to be happy and content. The good news is, it's usually quite easy to tell when a cat is happy. Here are some signs your cat is feeling good:

• Ears are upright and pointing forward

• Whiskers are relaxed

• Eyes are half-closed or blinking slowly

• Sleeping with paws tucked neatly underneath

• Tail held high with a slight curve at the tip

A scared cat

Lots of things can startle a cat, and it's not always easy to know how to prevent them from feeling scared. Here are some common signs that your cat is feeling frightened:

• Darting away and hiding

• Arching their back and trying to look bigger

• Hissing

• Eyes are wide and dilated

• Head lowered, ears and whiskers flattened against their head

An angry cat

It's often pretty clear when a cat is angry. The first and best thing to do is to give them some space. Here's how to spot an angry cat:

• Hissing

• Whiskers pointing outwards from the face

• Staring intently at something

• Ears flat against their head