Decoding Your Cat: The Ultimate Experts Explain Common Cat Behaviors and Reveal How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones

First Mariner Books edition 2021

Copyright © 2020 by American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

All rights reserved

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to [email protected] or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data.

Names: Herron, Meghan E., editor.

Title: Decoding your cat : the ultimate experts explain common cat behaviors and reveal how to prevent or change unwanted ones / edited by Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB, Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB, and Carlo Siracusa, DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM ; introduction by Steve Dale.

Description: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019038031 (print) | LCCN 2019038032 (ebook) | ISBN 9781328489906 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780358310273 | ISBN 9780358310358 | ISBN 9781328489852 (ebook) | ISBN 9780358566045 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Cats—Behavior. | Cats—Training.

Classification: LCC SF446.5 .D43 2020 (print) | LCC SF446.5 (ebook) | DDC 636.8/0835—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038031

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019038032

Cover design by Michaela Sullivan

Cover photograph: Getty Images/Stockbyte

v5.0721

AUTHORS’ NOTE: We, the editors and authors, believe that cats are sentient beings and should not be referred to as it. In anecdotes about specific cats, we use whatever gender pronoun applies. When talking about cats in general, we alternate between she and he (the same pronoun throughout the entire chapter), because we believe cats have a special place in all our hearts and minds.

In order to highlight members of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists as the collective author of this book we have listed DACVB behind their names when mentioned in the text.

WHILE THIS BOOK IS BASED ON EXTENSIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BASED ON THAT RESEARCH AND ON CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, IT IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE SERVICES OF A VETERINARY BEHAVIORIST OR A VETERINARIAN. THE EDITORS, THE AUTHORS, AND THE PUBLISHER DISCLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVERSE EFFECTS RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK.

We dedicate Decoding Your Cat to Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a founding member of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) and its executive director for over twenty-five years. An accomplished author and educator, she wrote one of the most foundational books on feline behavior, Feline Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians. Additionally, she served decades as faculty in Behavioral Medicine at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She is a pioneer in the veterinary behavior world as well as in the veterinary profession in general. We owe her a great debt of gratitude for her leadership and guidance as the ACVB grew from the eight original founding members to nearly one hundred today. Her vision and accomplishments inspire all of us.

Foreword

The problem with cat behavior is that it’s hilarious. But it’s more serious than it sounds.

Let me give you a hypothetical example. (Okay, okay! I admit it! It’s not hypothetical. It’s happened to me on multiple occasions.) My family and I go on vacation, leaving our cats, Lucy and Squeezie, in the care of a pet-sitter. When we return, Lucy is ecstatic. She runs up to greet me and collect a week’s worth of chin scratches, and as I head upstairs, she trots alongside me, purring loudly. Just as I’m getting into bed, she squats down, stares me dead in the eye, and poops on my pillow.

This is undoubtedly a serious behavior issue, and also a serious mess issue. I should be reading books, probably this one, to figure out how to deal with it. But, instead, my reaction is That’s hilarious! Because it is.

Did you see that? I say, eager to share the news with any disgusted family members who might be nearby. She missed me so much . . . but she was so angry at me for leaving that she pooped on the pillow! She loves me, and that’s the only way she knows how to say it! That’s not very helpful.

If it seems like I know a huge amount about cat behavior, it’s because I’ve studied under some of the most prominent names in the field: Cinnamon, Pepper, Baby Beast, Lisa and Cy, Lucy and Squeezie. Sometimes I was studying math, sometimes physics. They didn’t care. They just wanted something warm to sit on. As long as I was paying full attention to something other than them, they wanted in.

The same thing happens when I’m doing a jigsaw puzzle. Lucy jumps up on the table and stands on top of the loose pieces, because that’s what I’m paying attention to instead of her. They stick to her paws, so she shakes them off violently, flinging them around the room. Sometimes they go down a heating vent in the floor. It’s hilarious! I can always get another puzzle, and I don’t like doing puzzles anyway. I’d rather watch Lucy hurl the pieces down a heating vent.

Why do cats do these things? I have no idea! I’m just writing the foreword to this book, which is kind of an honorary deal. If I knew anything, I would have written the book part of the book. So please believe me when I say that you’re not going to get any quality answers from me, just idle speculation on my part. When we’re done here, we can both read the book part of the book and see what, if anything, I got right.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Can cats be trained? First of all, don’t ask me. I feel I’ve been more than forthright about the fact that I don’t know what I’m talking about. And second of all, yes.

I’ve trained both of my current cats. With Lucy, I run around the room tapping on different pieces of furniture, and she chases after me, leaping majestically from one shredded sofa to the next. It’s a one-ring circus of feline acrobatics, plus a guy running around. It is truly one of the greatest sights you will ever see—if you are permanently confined to my living room.

But Squeezie! She is my ultimate triumph as a cat trainer. I’ve trained her to lie on my shoulders, indifferent, wrapped limply around my neck like a fuzzy scarf with chicken breath. I walk around the house like that, up and down the stairs, out to the yard . . . and the whole time, she does nothing whatsoever.

Here’s how I achieved these wonders.

In Lucy’s case, I observed that she liked to leap from one piece of furniture to another, so I went with that, running around and taking credit from anyone who was watching. And I rewarded her with scratches under the chin, the most valuable currency in her economy.

But with Squeezie, it took more effort. The key insight was when I noticed that she liked to lie down and not move very much. I thought I could work that into my act by having her do something similar on my shoulders, but it turned out she preferred sitting just about anywhere else. Still, I stuck with it, picking her up and hanging her around my neck over a period of months, and feeding her oven-roasted chicken treats, her personal favorite. (I’m not sure what kind of oven roasts a chicken into a green pellet, but that’s probably a subject for a book about ovens.)

Anyway, after a few months of this, Squeezie grew bored and decided sitting on my shoulders was the same as sitting in any other place. And thus an act was born!

I frequently say that when I’m looking at cats, I’m never not entertained. (I know it’s a double negative, but writers are allowed to break the rules, so please, don’t not continue reading.) I find it unbearably entertaining when cats spread their toes and chew furiously on their toenails. I love it when they jump on the table and lick my salad, because any human food is better than all cat food. I squeal with joy when I feed them something they don’t like and they get offended, turn around, and kick imaginary sand on it like they’re burying it in the litter box.

Why do cats make us so happy? Here’s what I think: I think it’s because they don’t care about making us happy. Not the slightest bit. They only care about themselves, with absolute honesty and innocence. If they pile on us and snuggle up and purr, it’s not to make us happy; it’s because we make them happy. And, really, isn’t that what makes us happier than anything? Isn’t that, for lack of a more understated conclusion, what gives meaning to our very lives?

Maybe! Like I said, I have no idea. But you know who does? The experts from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, that’s who. And, conveniently, they’ve written this excellent book to help with any behavior issue you may be hypothetically having with your cat, possibly involving a pillow, and sometimes, I’m sorry to say, all of the sheets and blankets as well. So let’s read on. Quickly. Quickly!

DAVID X. COHEN, May 2019

Preface

The role our feline friends play in society has changed considerably over the past few decades. We recognize that cats should no longer be classified as low-maintenance pets for owners who are gone from home for long periods of time, or for those who wish to own a pet who doesn’t require much attention. We now see that cats have individual personalities that endear them to us and allow them to be loved members of our family, deserving of the same time, attention, dedication, and respect we give our canine family members—and sometimes our children.

New research tells us that being around cats is just plain good for us. Exposure to cats in childhood can help reduce the risk of developing asthma. Owning, or even just petting, cats can reduce our stress, lower our heart rate and blood pressure, and make us generally happier. Cats are unique and comedic. Who can’t laugh at a cat trying to shove herself into a tiny box?

Cats have important jobs that benefit us as well. They help control rodent populations in agricultural situations. Research into their afflictions often gives us enlightening information about similar human diseases. They entertain us in movies, commercials, and stage shows. They come visit us in hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort with their soft fur and soothing purring.

In recompense, the scientific community is delving into the true nature of cats. Cats deserve their own reality, rather than having us extrapolate that of another species onto them. Cats are not children, or rabbits, or small dogs. They are cats, and we should understand and treat them as such.

This is the goal of Decoding Your Cat: To bring the most current and scientifically accurate information regarding cat behavior to the public. To allow everyone the opportunity to climb into the minds of our cats—to the degree that such a thing is even possible.

The diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists have hundreds of years of collective knowledge and experience about animal behavior and veterinary medicine. Our members include rabbit enthusiasts, dog trainers, obedience competitors, equestrians, herpetologists, cat fanciers, police officers, soldiers, professors, pharmaceutical professionals, and many others. While our backgrounds are diverse, we all have a deeply rooted passion for animal behavior and an equally strong drive to share this passion and knowledge with others. We are emotionally bonded and committed to our pets and our patients, but we also understand that emotion isn’t enough. Facts matter, and for this reason, the science of animal behavior is crucial to allow us to live well and honorably among our feline friends.

This book is written by humans who love and admire cats, but it is written on a foundation of objective, factual knowledge. Decoding Your Cat is our homage to cats and our opportunity to help dispel common myths about cat behavior.

In this book, you will learn about cat behavior from kittenhood to the geriatric years. We discuss normal feline behaviors and body language, as well as behaviors that are abnormal due to various medical or environmental problems. Decoding Your Cat includes information on doing the best for feral and shelter cats, and also how to create a harmonious multicat household and avoid fighting cats—topics the reader will be hard-pressed to find in other feline behavior books. The book also enlightens readers on the science of learning and training (yes, cats really can be trained!), which will empower caregivers and enable them to cope with common behavior problems. Most important, each chapter informs readers about ways to enrich cats’ lives so they can reach their full potential as companions and live relatively free from fear, distress, and potentially harmful assumptions.

We hope you enjoy reading this book as much as we enjoyed writing it. We also hope reading this book inspires you to learn even more about cats and find ways to deepen your relationship with the cats around you.

LORE I. HAUG, DVM, MS, DACVB

Past President, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

Acknowledgments

Meghan E. Herron

This book is a dream come true, long in the making, and I have many to thank for its remarkable content and organization. I first want to thank my colleagues Drs. Debra Horwitz and John Ciribassi for paving the way with their stellar editing and presentation of Decoding Your Dog. Without its success, Decoding Your Cat may not have ever seen a bookshelf.

I am ever grateful for the mentorship and encouragement from Debra as she stayed on to help us bring this book to fruition. Thank you, Debra, for being a friend, mentor, and mom as we have made this journey. I’d also like to thank our fellow editor, Dr. Carlo Siracusa. Carlo and I spent many a long afternoon muddling over the content, organization, and appeal of each and every chapter. Carlo, your unique perspective and depth of experience have given this book an edge that wouldn’t have been there without you. The three of us live impossibly busy lives, yet we all made time to come together and complete this book.

Thanks also to Jeff Kleinman of Folio Literary Management for keeping our best interests at heart and continually helping us navigate the publishing and marketing world. I can always count on Jeff for a quick and accurate answer, without any hint of annoyance at my ignorance or pestering.

A book has no future without a publisher that believes in it. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has supported our mission from the time the first pages of Decoding Your Dog were written, and welcomed the proposal for Decoding Your Cat with open arms. The editorial staff, led by Sarah Kwak, brought charisma and captivation to each page, turning the book into a true work of art. Thank you, Steve Dale, for being the lead cheerleader for veterinary behaviorists and for pushing us all to make both these books a reality. I am humbled by your endless support for what we do and for your devotion to improving the lives of pets everywhere.

Personally, I want to thank the late Dr. Linda Lord for inspiring me to go to veterinary school in the first place and helping me see and interact with the world in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling. This little grasshopper has come a long way thanks to Linda. Thank also to Dr. Ilana Reisner, DACVB, for teaching me proper English and shaping me into the veterinary behaviorist I am today.

I am ever grateful for the unrelenting support and encouragement from my husband, Josh Black. You put the skip in my step and the smile on my face, and I look forward to watching our smart, strong, beautiful girls, Rowan and Amelia, grow into smart, strong, beautiful women. Finally, a special thanks to the feline friends in my life who have helped give this book its personal perspective. You were (are) all special in your own, very different ways: Bo-Bo, Sassy, Katie, Cammie, Lepanto, Moco, Primo, Junebug, and, the most unique of all, Mr. Girard Bigglesworth.

Debra F. Horwitz

Our first book, Decoding Your Dog, was a wonderful educational experience for me as an editor and for the entire American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Within a short period of time, the public began clamoring for another book, this one about cats. And, thanks to the ACVB, I am so excited to have been involved in the creation of this new book, Decoding Your Cat. My coeditors, friends, and fellow diplomates Meghan Herron and Carlo Siracusa led the team, and together we have created another masterpiece. All of us brought not only our scientific knowledge and practice experience but also our love of cats as wonderful family companions. Furthermore, my talented colleagues who contributed to this book were all devoted to creating the best educational treatise for cat owners. I also want to add my thanks to Jeff Kleinman and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for helping us bring another book to fruition.

My life with cats goes back a long way. My father was a cat lover, and the first pet I remember as a child was a cat named Mao (meaning cat in Chinese), a beloved family pet and my good buddy. Many other cats followed and captured my heart. Each one taught me how special cats are, and each one was an individual to be cherished. Sharing my love of cats and my memories with other cat owners has been a heartwarming experience.

My husband, Eugene, loved all our cats. I am sure he would have found this book engaging and would have wholeheartedly supported its publication. Thank you, Eugene, for your unwavering support in all my endeavors. You are missed. Thank you also to my children, Jeff, Laura, and Ben, who are also pet lovers. Veterinary medicine and educating pet owners and veterinarians have been my passions. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to practice what I love.

Enjoy the book!

Carlo Siracusa

As a child, I desperately wanted to have a cat. I used to buy cat magazines and leave them around the house to send a clear message to my parents. They thought that if they resisted for a few months, I would forget about the cat and shift my attention to something else. But this did not happen, and soon my obsession became a nightmare for my parents, who were not thrilled by the idea of having one more living being to take care of in addition to their three demanding children.

As often happens with me, I found a way to get what I wanted and brought home my first cat, a beautiful domestic longhair named Pelouche. It did not take long for Pelouche to prove me right and steal the heart of the whole family. Then I got two cats . . . then three . . . then four . . . and at twenty years old, I was a registered breeder of Persians, British Shorthairs, and Scottish Folds.

At that time, though, I could never have imagined that, many years later, my passion for cats would bring me to work on a cat book. And not just one of many books on cat behavior, but the official cat book of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists! I am one of the lucky ones who can live their childhood dream every day of their adult life. Now I have a chance to share this dream with the readers of this book. Thank you, dear reader, for your time and attention.

Most important, I want to thank the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists for giving me this opportunity. I am very proud to represent this organization. I also need to acknowledge my coeditors and friends, Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. Meghan Herron, for sharing this experience with me. Meghan was the first to believe that I could make a contribution to the project and proposed that I join. Since then, Debra has been the best mentor for a junior editor like me. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with both of them.

Jeff Kleinman, our agent from Folio Literary Management, assisted us throughout the project and believed in it from the very beginning. Without his knowledge and professionalism, this book would have not seen the light of day. Thank you, Jeff.

My biggest gratitude goes to our publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, for investing in our vision and understanding why Decoding Your Cat is not just another book on cat behavior, but a gate to the knowledge and unique expertise of board-certified veterinary behaviorists.

On a more personal level, I am extremely grateful to my family for supporting me and my passion for so many years. All of them have loved and accepted the cats I’ve wanted to live with, including my beloved calico, Elsa, who is my feline companion now. Certainly, I would not have achieved many of my professional goals without the mentors who taught me: Maria Grazia Pennisi, Jaume Fatjo, Xavier Manteca, Josep Pastor, Patrick Pageat, Daniel Mills, James Serpell, Ilana Reisner, and every­one else who has shared knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with me.

Introduction

Veterinary behaviorists are last responders. When no one else can help, they swoop in and save the day. It’s a small army, as there are fewer than one hundred veterinarians who are board-certified in animal behavior in North America. Lives saved by their expertise are incalculable.

Here’s what often transpires: The cat’s been urinating on the carpet or scratching the sofa for months or even years, and finally the desperate cat owner takes him to a behaviorist and says, It’s up to you to fix the problem, or the cat goes. Not only are behaviorists required to fix the problem, but their goal is also to maintain the human-animal bond.

The Internet can be a source of accurate information. However, going to a website can’t tell you why your cat is thinking outside the box or yowling at three a.m. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Herron (who coedited this book) told me that when she was in private practice, about half of all her presumed feline behavior problems were, in reality, a result of a medical problem—or at least it was a contributing factor. This is why whenever your cat’s behavior changes, I want you to think, "Why now?" Don’t assume the problem is solely behavioral. Consult your veterinarian, not a website.

When it comes to cats, there are so many misconceptions. For example, many people think cats—even their own beloved cats—may be sinister or spiteful, or that they don’t really bond to humans. That’s simply untrue.

I myself was once guilty of not understanding how intensely cats can bond with people.

Ricky was a handsome, stark-white Devon Rex who loved people. From the start, he demonstrated affection even toward strangers. Ricky loved when people visited. He often smothered our unsuspecting guests with love by hopping on their shoulder and purring into their ear. In part it was because of his breed, but arguably the real secret to his affection was breeder Leslie Spiller, who did a great job of socialization. We continued that process.

One day my wife, Robin, returned from an animal-assisted therapy session with our miniature Australian Shepherd, Lucy. She suggested I teach Lucy a new trick. Lucy knew lots of tricks, even singing to children on cue at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I don’t recall why, but I thought I’d teach her to play a little kid’s piano.

I closed the door of our training room (a second bedroom) and began the process of clicker training Lucy. I started by shaping her behavior. As her paw came closer to the keyboard, I would click the clicker and offer a treat. Gradually, she began to learn and would lift her paw toward the keyboard.

But I hadn’t closed the door to the room all the way, and in walked Ricky. He looked at me, looked at the lesser species (the dog), and proceeded to play the piano. No clicker. No treat. (Though I quickly began to reinforce his playing with cat treats.)

It wasn’t long before Ricky was literally jumping through hoops and over dogs on a down-stay, offering high fives, and coming when called. People were amazed.

How could a cat do all that?

Most people assume that cats can’t be trained. In fact, they can—or they train us to continue to work with them, which is exactly what Ricky did.

Ricky began giving recitals at local pet stores and on TV, including the Animal Planet channel and National Geographic Channel. Ricky taught me and millions of others what cats are capable of, and our bond was palpable. Video crews couldn’t help but capture it.

At Ricky’s next checkup, at my veterinarian’s request, he performed a few of his improvisational jazz tunes for the staff and the clients who happened to be there with their dogs—all crowded into a little exam room. After the applause (a standing ovation—there were no seats in the room), Dr. Donna Solomon began the exam by listening to Ricky’s heart. Her face told the story. She heard a murmur. Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Michael Luethy confirmed that Ricky had feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an abnormal thickening of the heart wall. While medication may slow the disease progress, nothing can stop it. Some cats diagnosed with HCM live out a normal life span; most do not.

Happily, Ricky never read the diagnosis and probably felt well until his final months. As his celebrity grew, I even turned down an appearance on David Letterman’s Stupid Pet Tricks because I wouldn’t fly with Ricky to New York City or drive there from Chicago.

Ricky was only four and a half years old when he suddenly succumbed to HCM in 2002. He just collapsed. I still remember that moment as if it were yesterday.

I was determined to honor Ricky by making a difference. HCM might be the most common cause of death of cats from about three to ten years old. How could such a widespread disease have no effective treatment?

I partnered with the Winn Feline Foundation—a nonprofit funder of cat health and behavior studies—and created the Ricky Fund to raise money for HCM research. Today, we’ve raised well over $250,000. The good news is that with that money a genetic test was developed to detect a gene defect related to HCM in Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats. Breeders using the simple and inexpensive test in their breeding programs have saved lives. Still, my heart breaks, because in the time it has taken you to read this story, a cat somewhere has succumbed to HCM.

Like Ricky did in his short life, Decoding Your Cat busts antiquated myths. Ricky not only stole my heart, he stole the show. He also taught me all that cats can be. And this book does the same.

Cats must no longer be the Rodney Dangerfield of pets; they deserve respect for what they are. If we love cats, it’s only right that we make the effort to better understand what really makes them tick. It’s not quite as mysterious as some people might have us believe.

I was honored to be a coeditor of the companion volume to this book, Decoding Your Dog. That book, also written by members of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, was in part motivated by the work of a legendary veterinary behaviorist, the late Dr. R. K. Anderson. An icon in the world of positive reinforcement dog training, Dr. Anderson once told me, Don’t just do a dog book and be done with it. I leave it to you to follow up with a cat book. People don’t know it, but I’m really more a cat guy. People may tend not to get help as readily for cat behavior problems—or assume they know the answer, which may not be quite right. Please, climb the highest mountain and then holler out that veterinary behaviorists can help cats, too.

Veterinary behaviorists preach the gospel of science, and everything they do is based on it. Everything you read in this book is based on science as well. Often, it’s veterinary behaviorists who conduct that science to better understand cats in the first place.

It wasn’t too long ago that cats were mostly outdoor pets. Today, most cats in America are indoors only. Cats are more popular than dogs, and most homes with a cat have, on average, just over two cats. Yet we’re still learning about cat behavior. The best teachers have written this book. I know my friend Dr. Anderson would have been yowling with joy—as am I.

STEVE DALE, CABC

1

The Language of Meow

Feline Phonics from Nose to Tail

Rachel Malamed, DVM, DACVB, and Karen Lynn Chieko Sueda, DVM, DACVB

Misty slowly walked into the living room. Amy was happy to see her out and about. Though she had been part of the family for fifteen years, Misty had recently been spending most of her time alone in the guest bedroom. But who could blame her? Between Amy’s work schedule and the kids’ activities, the house had become chaotic.

Amy watched as Misty jumped up on the couch next to her. Taking advantage of the momentary peace in the house, Amy picked Misty up to snuggle. Misty gave a rusty meow before settling on Amy’s lap. As Amy stroked Misty’s back, Misty’s ears turned to the side, and the tip of her tail began twitching. Amy recognized that Misty was upset but couldn’t imagine why. What’s the matter, kiddo? Misty began licking her hand in response. Aww, Amy thought, she’s grooming me, and she gave Misty an affectionate pat on the back. All of a sudden, Misty hissed, swatted Amy’s hand, jumped off her lap, and ran out of the room. Amy looked at her hand and saw she was bleeding from the scratch.

Amy was distraught. What had happened? She had just been petting Misty. What if the cat had done this to one of her children? Amy wondered whether Misty could be trusted around the kids.

This exchange was very different from Misty’s point of view. She hadn’t been feeling well recently. Her knees and back hurt, and it was hard to stay out of the children’s way as they ran around the house. It was easier to stay put on the guest bed. But now it was quiet, and there was a patch of sun on the living room couch. Jumping up would be uncomfortable, but the allure of the sunbeam made it worth the effort.

When Amy picked her up, Misty winced as she felt a twinge in her back. Ow! But it was over in a second, and Amy’s lap was warm. Although she enjoyed Amy’s company, Misty couldn’t understand why Amy kept touching her aching back. Misty pinned her ears back and twitched her tail as a warning sign. She tried to move away, but her knees were sore.

Amy stopped stroking her back and rubbed her cheek instead. Misty licked Amy’s hand to let her know she was confused: I like the warmth of your lap, but I don’t like you touching my back. All of a sudden Amy hit her on the back. That hurt! Misty swatted Amy’s hand away and ran out of the room.

Misty was distraught. What had happened? Amy had been hurting her, and she had defended herself. Misty wondered if Amy was safe and doubted whether she could trust Amy to pet her again.

As this story illustrates, cats and people find it difficult to communicate, because the two species don’t speak the same language. However, once we learn how (and why) cats send us messages, we can become better at receiving and correctly interpreting them. This will enable us to respond appropriately and prevent any miscommunication between our feline friends and us.

Facts, Not Fiction

The Egyptian feline goddess Bastet, familiars of witches, Garfield, Grumpy Cat: throughout history, humans have viewed cats as mysterious, self-centered creatures to be either worshipped or vilified. This reputation may be due in part to cats’ mercurial nature—friendly one second and aloof or defensive the next. What cat owner hasn’t wondered what their cat was thinking behind those beautiful eyes?

Humans are accustomed to dealing with demonstrative beings, whether it’s our dog ecstatically licking our face or our friend extolling the brilliance of the tweet she wrote. If communication had a volume control, humans would shout, dogs would talk, and cats would whisper. Cats use much subtler forms of communication than we are used to receiving. But once we recognize what to look and listen for, we can easily decipher the cryptic language of cats.

What Does That Mean?

Affiliative behaviors: These come closer behaviors indicate friendly intent, reduce tension, and communicate a desire to approach. They include:

Allogrooming: Mutual grooming between two friendly cats.

Allorubbing: A cat rubbing her body against another cat or a person.

Bunting: A cat rubbing her cheek on objects. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks, and this action is used to mark objects and people with pheromones when a cat finds them to be safe and comforting.

Aggression: The range of go away behaviors a cat uses to frighten or threaten harm to another individual. The goal is to increase the distance between the cat and the perceived threat. Although people regard the word aggression as being offensive, it is most often used for self-defense, and at times is a normal and necessary behavior. Motivations for aggressive responses include fear, self-defense, protecting a resource or territory, and defending offspring. Aggressive behaviors range from subtle body language used to intimidate or scare (such as staring) to severe attacks resulting in injury or death.

Piloerection: The involuntary reflex of raised hair along the body and tail, commonly seen when a cat is in an emotionally aroused or fearful state.

Displacement behaviors: Normal behaviors displayed outside the context in which they typically occur. Animals usually exhibit displacement behaviors when they are anxious, confused, or frustrated. Common displacement behaviors in cats include grooming and scratching, and may be thought of as the kitty equivalent of people bouncing their leg or biting their nails when they are nervous.

Caterwaul: A loud, harsh vocalization usually emitted by cats as a mating call.

Trill: A vocalization used by a mother cat communicating with her kittens. It is also a positive vocalization heard during friendly interactions with people and other cats. A trill sounds like a ringtone meow or a question.

Pheromones: Species-specific chemical signals that animals use to communicate with others of the same species. Pheromones differ from scents or odors because