Learn Your Cat's Body Language

One quiet Tuesday evening in Cape Town, around 9:00 pm, a thought struck me as Jasmine and Oreo were playing while I was writing. Jasmine, in a rare burst of energy, suddenly decided to chase Oreo around the room. I think Oreo was delighted. After all, Princess Jasmine rarely lifts a paw unless everything is perfectly in place for her royal highness.

Oreo

Since they were kittens, Jasmine has refused to go to the bathroom alone. She doesn’t dig or cover her litter. That has always been Oreo’s job, and she does it happily. When I once asked them why, Jasmine simply turned her head and closed her eyes while Oreo continued digging. Typical.

Watching them that night, a stream of images flashed through my mind like a movie reel, and one glowing question stood out: What does their body language mean? I started researching. Most articles focused on tail movement, but I wanted to understand what the whole body reveals. I quickly learned that no single sign can tell you everything. It’s a combination of their eyes, ears, tail, and posture that tells the full story.

I also noticed that Jasmine and Oreo are complete opposites. Jasmine avoids noise, chaos, or anything that might disturb her peace. Oreo, on the other hand, is a free spirit who’s always moving, always present, with a little boss attitude. Through observing them, I identified six key body language signs that every cat parent should know, especially when introducing your cat to someone new.

1. RELAXED

Your cat’s relaxed behaviour might be them curled up on your lap, purring softly or loudly. That’s how they act when they’re in their safe zone. Around new people, signs of relaxation show up gradually. You might see them standing with legs extended, then shifting into a side-lying position with their tail resting loosely. Their ears stay upright, their eyes are slightly narrowed, and their whiskers tilt forward, almost like a little smile. When their breathing slows, it means they feel secure. That’s probably why Jasmine and Oreo prefer napping in my brother’s room during the day—it’s quiet, tidy, and filled with soft fur blankets.

2. ALERT

I used to think “alert” meant pacing around the house like a cartoon cat hunting mice. In reality, it looks very different. Cats often lie on their belly with their hind legs stretched out and their front paws neatly placed. Sometimes they rest on their side, but keep their hind legs in a sort of L-shape. Their ears remain upright, their head and neck stay active, and their tail moves gently up and down. This is Oreo’s go-to position whenever Aidan is around.

3. TENSE

When your cat is tense, they’re still on their belly, but their body is more compact. Their hind legs are tucked underneath, front paws in front, and their eyes and ears are focused and alert. Their tail curls close to their body. Any small sound or motion will catch their attention. It reminds me of The Lion King, when Mufasa teaches Simba how to hunt Zazu. They’re quiet, but don’t be fooled. They’re ready to pounce or flee in an instant.

4. ANXIOUS

It can be hard to tell whether it’s the sound or the movement you notice first. An anxious cat often stands with all four legs straight and their tail close to their body. Their eyes are wide, ears slightly tilted back, and a growl or sharp meow starts building from deep within. Oreo does this whenever the neighbour’s black cat comes too close. First, I hear her, then I see her rush past me in a panic. If they don’t like someone, they might stare from a corner with wide, unblinking eyes and hiss if anyone gets too close.

5. FEARFUL

When Oreo feels real fear, she rises to all fours, tail tucked tightly between her legs, ears pinned back, and pupils completely dilated. She growls and hisses—clearly saying “back off.” This happens when Fluffy, the neighbour’s dog, sneaks into the yard after my son forgets to close the gate. Jasmine reacts differently. She bolts at the first sign of trouble. When she was three months old, she was attacked by another cat in the street. Ever since, she hides under the bed or in a cupboard whenever she senses danger.

6. TERRIFIED

This is the point when your cat is not just uncomfortable but outright rejecting the situation. Jasmine instantly jumps up, tail puffed out, ears flat, and her front paw ready to strike. If she can escape, she will. Oreo, in contrast, freezes on her belly with her ears pressed down and emits a deep, growling meow that seems to rise from her whole body. I once saw Charlie approach Oreo and stop mid-step after hearing that growl. It was as if she understood the message: “Try me, and I will throw paws.”

Some of you might recognise these behaviours in your own cats, while others may not. Every cat is unique, and their body language is shaped by their history, personality, and environment. I’ve learned that there’s deep wisdom in their signals. It’s no surprise that cats were revered in ancient Egypt. Some believed they were guardians of intuition, protectors whose sharp senses could see what human eyes could not. In folklore, cats are said to guide alchemical students through transformation and growth.

So maybe your cat didn’t just wander into your life. Maybe they already knew. When your cat shows you something, trust that it’s meant to teach or guide you.

We’d love to hear your stories. How did you meet your cat, and what have they taught you? Let us know. Siobhàn - CatSwoppr blogwriter

Jasmine on the left and Oreo on the right