Visual Communication in cats and Cats' ethology - Different postures and expressions of cats

Visual Communication in cats and Cats' ethology

Cats use a range of subtle body postures, facial expressions, and tail positions to communicate with other cats to defuse tension and avoid physical contact (Figures 1-1 and 1-2). Understanding body postures allows humans to recognize— and reward—calm behavior: if Postures associated with fear are recognized in time, it is possible to keep that fear from escalating to a Point at which injuries are likely (see Figures 1-1 and 1-2). Knowing how to recognize offensive and defensive behavior in cats is important because the purpose of most signaling and posturing is to avoid battle. 

Familiarity with feline body postures helps humans identify whether the cat intends to flee, freeze, or fight. Although most cats do not want to fight, they may bluff, making themselves look much larger in an attempt to scare away others.2 Figure 1-1 shows various body postures that cats use to communicate. The normal cat is in the top left corner. The cat becomes increasingly fearful in the subsequent illustrations (moving from top to bottom). The cat in the lower left-hand corner is extremely fearful but will become aggressive if no escape route is available. In the clinic a common example is a terrified cat that feels cornered and huddles in the back of a cage. As we move from left to right in the figure, the cat becomes increasingly aggressive. At first, the cat might be bluffing, but it may become aggressive if it cannot flee and continues to feel threatened. The cat in the lower right-hand corner is the most fearful and aggressive.

Whereas body postures effectively signal a cat's level of fear and aggression, even from a distance, facial signals (see Figure 1-2) change much more quickly and provide more immediate indications of a cat's level of fear and aggression. As with Figure 1-1, as we move from top to bottom in the figure, the cat becomes increasingly fearful, and as we move from left to right, the cat becomes increasingly aggressive.

Ears are erect when the cat is alert and focusing on a stimulus (top left corner). Ears are swiveled downward and sideways in a defensive cat (bottom left): in the aggressive cat, the ears are swiveled, displaying the inner pinnae sideways (bottom right).

The pupils specifically are the most instructive feline signal. Slit pupils indicate the normal state (top left corner), widely dilated pupils are associated with fear and the fight or-flight response (lower left corner), and oblong pupils signal aggression (lower right).Pupil size generally correlates to the intensity of the situation, as moving from top to bottom in Figure 1-2 illustrates. Cats understand these subtle differences and use them to help prevent fights. (It is important to recognize that ambient light can also affect pupil size.)

Two other eye communications are very important: knowing these can help to reduce lhe cat's stress levels. First, blinking is believed to signal that the cat is seeking reassurance in a tense environment. Fortunately, this behavior works for both intercat and human—cat communication. Blinking slowly or making “winky-eyes” in the direction of the cat can help comfort the cat. Second, because prolonged eye contact, especially from an unknown cat or human, constitutes a threat to cats, people who are not well known to the cat should not stare. Veterinary team members should be taught to blink slowly in the cat's direction and refrain from staring to make the veterinary visit less stressful for the cat.

The cat's tail is remarkably expressive. When the tail is held up vertically or wrapped, it signals relaxed, friendly intentions. A tail held straight down or perpendicular to lhe ground indicates an offensive posture. The cat lashes the tail vigorously from side to side when very agitated, annoyed, or aroused or during conflict. If this signal is unheeded, the cat's behavior can escalate to aggression.