New (2026) What is your CAT trying to say to you - Decoding Cat’s Body Language and Behavior ?

 

You probably can’t exactly tell what your cat is thinking at all times; and that’s okay. After all, cats are adorable but strange creatures, with many habits that leave us humans confused. However, what you can do is get to know the meaning behind their typical behaviors. That way, you will at least get an idea of how your feline companion is feeling, and whether they’re comfortable or not.

In light of that, here’s an extensive list of common and not so common behaviors, and what your cat is attempting to communicate with each one.

 

******Purring******

 

Purring is the vibrating sound that cats make with their throats. Even two-day-old kittens can purr, and they display this behavior throughout their whole lives. Unfortunately, scientists still don’t fully understand the mechanism behind purring, especially considering that cats don’t have any special anatomical features that allow them to do so.

Typically, a cat will purr when it is feeling happy, friendly, and thankful. However, purring could also help it calm down when it’s stressed or ill. For instance, cats giving birth have a tendency to purr to soothe the pain. Still, in most cases, a purring kitty is a happy kitty.

 

*******Vocalization*******

 

As a cat owner, you’ve most likely noticed how many different sounds they can produce. Meowing is their go-to form of communication, starting from when they’re kittens and seeking their mother. They also use it regularly as adults, though their meows can have many variations and meanings behind them. Other cat sounds include chirping, hissing, snarling, growling, wailing, etc.

 

******The Friendly, Cute Meow*****

 

Sometimes, a meow is just a cat’s way of saying “hi” and asking for some love. If your kitty lets out a tiny meow, give it a nice head rub to greet it back and show that you care.

 

*****The Loud, Disgruntled Meow*****

 

On the other hand, loud and intense meowing could indicate that your cat is discontented or in need of something. For instance, they could be asking for food or to be let out of the room/house. It could also mean that they’re simply bored.

Worst case scenario — a loud meow could be your cat’s way of saying that it’s feeling unwell. If you believe that’s the case, it might be time to pay your vet a visit.

 

*****Chirping and Chattering*****

 

If a bug or rodent decides to trespass on your premises, your cat will most likely start chirping at them and chattering their teeth. After all, cats are predators; and that is how they prepare for hunting.

 

****Growling, Wailing, and Hissing*****

 

When your cat feels threatened or angry, they will use all sorts of sounds and signals to let you know, including growling and wailing. Before they attack, they will start hissing in an attempt to scare off the intruder. Aside from making these sounds, an angry cat will also take a defensive stance, flatten its ears, and puff up the fur on its back and tail.

 

******Sniffing*******

 

In case you haven’t noticed already, cats are incredibly curious. They like to stick their noses in everything with the purpose of exploring it. Similarly, a cat will get up close and personal with its owner, sniffing their face as if it were a beautiful flower. It most likely does that because it’s attached to its owner and their smell makes them feel safe.

In addition, if your cat is hanging around with its mouth wide open, resembling the figure from Munch’s “The Scream”, don’t worry. Called the Flehmen response, this behavior is simply your cat’s way of thoroughly analyzing surrounding scents they find interesting.

 

********Displaying the Belly*******

 

Much like humans, cats lie on their backs with their legs spread wide open when they’re relaxing, too. Given that exposing your stomach is a sign of vulnerability in cats, consider yourself honored if your kitty does that in front of you. That means it trusts you and feels comfortable around you. In some rare cases, a cat might even let you pet its tummy

 

********Frequent Napping********

 

You have probably noticed that cats tend to sleep often and for long periods. When they’re kittens, they need twice as much slumber. After all, they need lots of that growth hormone, and they can only get it during sleep.

While not nearly as much as kittens, adult cats also require regular naps. That’s probably because they need to conserve their energy for hunting. No matter if your cat actually hunts or not, they will still have the urge to sleep all the time. However, some cats also tend to doze off out of boredom, so you might want to try playing with your cat more often if you’re concerned about its sleeping habits.

 

********Weird Sleeping Positions*******

 

Cats most commonly sleep curled up in a ball. This position makes them feel safe, protects their stomach, and keeps them snug and warm. Even if it’s sleeping next to a fireplace, this position comes naturally to every cat.

Similarly, your cat might decide to sleep on your lap, stomach, chest, or any other part of your body. That’s because it’s not only warm but also smells like you, which is comforting for your cat. And if it’s completely relaxed and comfortable in its surroundings, it might even sleep on its back like a baby.

 

*******Tail Movements********

 

Your cat will also use tail gestures to make its feelings known. Although dogs wag their tails when they’re happy, it’s different with cats. They will intensely move their tail back and forth when they are annoyed and want to be left alone.

However, a slow swinging tail motion followed by curling of the tail indicates the complete opposite — serenity. Finally, a twitching tail typically means that something has grabbed the cat’s attention and awoken its curiosity, such as a passing fly.

 

*********Scratching********

 

As annoying as it may be for the owner, cats love to scratch. They’ll scratch anything, no matter if it’s the scratcher or your brand new carpet. Cats do that to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, which is also quite a satisfying action for them. Besides that, a cat will scratch to mark its territory, covering the area with its scents.

Although it most likely won’t resolve the issue entirely, buying a scratching post is a good way to start weaning your cat off the furniture. However, you also need to encourage your cat to use it, which you could try doing with catnip and treats.

 

******Knocking Things off the Table*****

 

Sometimes, it seems as though cats want to watch the world burn. For instance, they often get the urge to knock things over and watch them fall. Be it a pencil or a cup of coffee, your cat might suddenly find it interesting and decide to claim it as its toy.

After all, cats are curious by nature and get bored easily, so don’t be surprised if your cat starts exploring with new toys. In addition, it might be trying to get your attention.

 

******Littering******

 

Cats enjoy cleanliness, which is why they won’t tolerate a dirty litter box. Thus, make sure to clean your cat’s litter on a regular basis or it will find another place in the house to do its business.

If your cat is still littering outside the box despite it being clean, the reason could be that it dislikes that particular brand/type of litter or the location of the box. If fixing that didn’t help either, consider taking your cat to the vet, as that could indicate an underlying health issue.

 

*******Hiding******

 

Much like angsty teens, cats too have a tendency to isolate and escape the world sometimes. However, instead of a room covered with band posters, a cat will opt for a closet, cupboard, box, or any other nook or cranny it can fit into. Cats love such tight spaces because they make them feel safe.

Therefore, don’t be surprised if your cat “disappears” for a few days, especially if it’s been exposed to some sort of threat. For instance, traveling is stressful for cats, so they often hide away for a few days after returning home.

 

*******Biting*******

 

Just like human babies, kittens are cranky and have an urge to constantly gnaw or something, whether it be a toy or your finger. Teething in kittens starts around the 10th week and typically lasts until they’re 6 or 7 months old.

Be that as it may, adult cats bite, too. They usually do so when they’re irritated or afraid. It might even seem like your cat bit you out of the blue. Still, there must have been something in your behavior that they didn’t appreciate. In some cases, biting could also be a desperate cry for attention.

 

********Bringing You Gifts*******

 

Even with all the toys laying around, a cat needs to get a whiff of a real hunt every once in a while. Thus, if a rodent or bug manages to sneak inside your home, your cat will take this as an opportunity to show off its mad hunting skills. If the hunt’s been successful and they don’t eat it right away, the cat might decide to gift you the prey they’ve caught.

Although the sight of a dead animal isn’t pretty, don’t scold your pet if they bring you one. That’s its way of saying “thank you” for all the care you’ve given it and returning the favor. Besides that, cats learn this behavior from their mothers when they are little, as they hunt and bring the food to their kittens the same way.

 

*******Playing Fetch********

 

In case there are no animals or insects lying around, your cat might resort to other small and huntable objects, such as one of their toys or a simple bottle cap. As an invitation to play, it might even bring you these objects, expecting you to throw them.

Just like dogs, cats can enjoy a nice game of fetch every once in a while too, or at least some form of it. Some cats prefer just the “chase-and-pounce,” i.e. chasing the object in motion, whereas others will catch it and tirelessly retrieve it each time. In any case, this game enables cats to practice their hunting skills, all the while interacting with their favorite human. It’s the best of both worlds!

 

********Expressing Love*******

 

Even though cats have a bad rap as being cool and unbothered, they are actually quite affectionate creatures. A cat will have no problem showing love to its owner (and feeder).

One of the most common ways cats express affection is by slow-blinking at you. For instance, your cat might stare at you, slowly closing its lids as if it were sleepy. To return the gesture, consider repeating the same action. In addition, your cat might head-butt you and rub against you to show how much they appreciate you.

Sleeping on you and purring when you pet it are also tell-tale signs that the cat is fond of you. In addition, much like mother cats groom their kittens, your cat might lick and groom you to strengthen the bond between you even further.

 

********Seeking Attention******

 

As you might be able to tell so far, cats adore and bathe in attention. They might not enjoy being bothered while they’re napping, but they will have no problem waking you up to demand attention. Your cat might climb on your desk while you’re working to ask you to pay attention to it. Cats can also develop other, not-so-adorable behaviors with the same purpose.

Although you should pet your cat and play with it regularly every day, it’s not advisable to reinforce this attention-grabbing behavior every time.