Christine O'Brien
|July 13, 2020
Cats are expressive creatures who use verbal and nonverbal language to communicate with their pet parents. Learning how to interpret your feline friend's behavior will reveal a lot about their cat ear emotions and the important role ears play in conveying information.
Just as cat tail language reveals what a cat is thinking and feeling, cat ears move with emotion, too. "Like a sophisticated satellite dish turning to pick up a signal, the cat's external ear, or pinna, rotates up to 180 degrees to locate and identify even the faintest of squeaks, peeps or rustling noises," said Animal Planet.
With close observation, you'll notice a pattern of various cat ear emotions revealed by even the subtlest gesture.
When a cat's just being a cat, their ears are facing forward in what's called the neutral position. Neutral ears indicate that a cat is feeling happy and relaxed and wants to chill out. When your cat's ears are in neutral, it's a great time to take advantage of their friendly mood, so now's the time to carefully pick up that cat and get your snuggles!
A cat will move its ears into this alert position when they want to pay closer attention to what's going on around them. Your cat wants to know, "What's that noise? Who's there? What's going on?" Sometimes, their ears are even facing different directions! Cats who are inclined to patrol their home exhibit this ear position and make great guard cats. In addition to "confident, curious cats," pointed out PAWS Chicago, "a cat who is hunting or playing will also keep [their] ears forward to collect as much auditory information as possible to execute a successful pounce." Are your cat's ears pointed up? Engage them in some fun.
A cat whose ears rotate with quick, sudden movements is a cat who is on a mission. As an extension to the "straight up and forward" move, a cat will move their ears back and forth (and shake their backside) when they're ready to execute the attack. This is another great opportunity to indulge your cat's hunting instincts, being sure to direct their attention to toys and not your feet. If your cat twitches frequently and paws at their ears, contact your veterinarian to rule out ear mites or other underlying health problems.
If your cat's ears are flattened against their head in "airplane mode" — as if they're about to take off in flight — it means that they're frightened or nervous, and it could lead to aggressive behavior. When a cat's ears are in this position, the cat is telling you that they're uncomfortable and need some space. Your cat may hide in their favorite spot until they're feeling more secure, so it's important to respect their bubble and their privacy.
In this position, a cat may be signaling that they're not feeling well, said Best Friends Animal Society. Cats are experts at hiding an illness, but this ear position helps to identify if they're under the weather. If you suspect that your cat isn't feeling so hot, pay close attention to other possible signs of illness, including observation of their eyes and tail, and share your concerns with your veterinarian.
There is no doubt about which cat ear emotions are associated with this position. Basically, it translates to "step off" and is indicative of potential aggressive behavior to come, including biting or scratching. In multiple cat households, you may see this when cats are tussling. If it happens, keep an eye on the cats and discourage aggressive play. It's in the best interest of humans to walk away from a cat when their ears are in this position, or you could risk getting injured.
When it comes to understanding a cat's body language, the ears have it. Cat ears move with emotion and purpose, opening up the lines of communication between you and your furry friend.
Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.
Delicious poached salmon paired with tender spinach in a mouthwatering sauce
Carefully made, gourmet daily nutrition. Tasty chunks with Salmon & Tuna in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of gourmet minced turkey to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced turkey & liver to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Delicious tender chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce with precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce
Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable Entrée canned cat food provides nutrition for optimal digestive & skin health.
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory salmon and vegetables
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur
Supports urinary care with added ingredients to help reduce stress in cats
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced salmon to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of gourmet savory beef to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
While cats can have a strong attraction to tuna, learn details on whether tuna offers proper nutrition and is safe for them to eat.
Learn how to spot the warning signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism in your cats. Read more to know what questions to ask your vet.
Learn why brushing your cat's teeth regularly is important. Good oral hygiene and care involves right supplies, method and cat food formulated for oral health.
Have you ever wondered if cat's like music? And if so, what kind? Check out this article that digs into the science behind your cat's taste in music.
Learn effective tips for giving your cat various medications, including getting her to take pills and best ways to handle injections, eye & ear drops.
Learn why cats exhibit behavior problems, such as scratching and spraying, and training steps you can take to help correct her bad habits.
Learn how to tell if your cat is too skinny, including key causes of weight loss, and what you can do to help your cat get back to a healthy weight.
Learn causes & symptoms associated with blood in cat urine, including underlying urinary tract problems or issues like FLUTD, as well as treatment options.
If you have or think you have a pregnant cat, click to learn more about how to properly care for her needs including preparation and delivery tips.
Get some quick tips on how to shape your kitten's behaviour with early training. Learn what to do and what not to do.
While it may not be common, cats to indeed pass gas. Learn how your cat's food impacts their gassiness and whether you need to be concerned.
Learn the reasons why your cat nuzzles you or other pet siblings, including factors like affection, marking territory and more.
Learn the different factors that might be contributing to your cat's weight gain, and how bigger doesn't always mean better.
If your cat is in distress and you suspect she's choking, learn how you can help her with the Heimlich maneuver, as well as prevent future choking issues.
Choose the perfect cat grooming tools, such as the right brushes and combs, and learn the best way to groom both long & short haired cats.
Learn about common cat allergies, including clinical signs, the most common types of allergies and treatment options for your cat.
Learn about the phenomenon of cats being scared of cucumbers, including why they're jumpy around them and how pranking your cat can cause stress & anxiety.
Is your cat afraid of fireworks? Cats and fireworks aren't always a good pair. Here's how to tell if your kitty is stressed and how to keep them calm.
Discover some myths and truths about how your cat sees the world, including whether they have night vision and if they are actually colorblind.
Cat injuries require special attention—earn how to recognize a cat injury, details about cat wound care and recommendations for helping cats heal at home.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2024 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool