Behavioral signals of mood

How does your cat let you know what mood s/he's in?

From what I understand, purring isn't always an indication of happiness. (Although since mine purr literally every second they are not asleep, I like to think they're always happy .) There was also a thread here about tail/ear language and how many cats display supposed signs of annoyance or aggression when they are actually happily enjoying a cuddle or play session.

Since these "usual" behavioral signs aren't always reliable, how do you know if your cat is in a good mood? What kind of behaviors does s/he display?

Meant to post this in behavior, lol!

Hehe...oops! I've done that before.

Purring can be a sign of pain from what I've been told. My RB girl Tiger purred just before she was PTS. She was close to her end anyway. We had her wrapped in a towel and she was laying on the table at the vets. I couldn't stay (couldn't bear to) so I just kind of put myself over top of her; getting close but not putting weight on her and whispered in her ear my goodbyes. She started purring then; but I like to think she was saying her goodbyes back to me. She was a purr-bucket. She's been gone 8 years now and I miss her so much still!

For Mooch and Noodles I think I've just learned over time. Noodles will seek you out when she wants attention. She is hard to read. She can look all lovey and even be rubbing on you; then swat you when she's had enough. Mooch is more affectionate; she will come to me for lovin too; but I can also go pet her and she will turn her neck so her head is upside down and I can scratch her cheeks. She'll show some belly; but she doesn't like it touched.

Originally Posted by parsleysage

How does your cat let you know what mood s/he's in?

From what I understand, purring isn't always an indication of happiness. (Although since mine purr literally every second they are not asleep, I like to think they're always happy

.) There was also a thread here about tail/ear language and how many cats display supposed signs of annoyance or aggression when they are actually happily enjoying a cuddle or play session.

Since these "usual" behavioral signs aren't always reliable, how do you know if your cat is in a good mood? What kind of behaviors does s/he display?

Click to expand...

Bijou is ALWAYS in the mood for love. He'll be sound asleep and as soon as I go to touch him he purrs and lifts his head so I can kiss his neck and belly. He likes when I do raspberries on his tummy. When he wants to play, he brings his toy and drops it on my foot. Lately he has started licking me more and more. I guess he's grooming me.

When Holland wants to play she will sit and stare at me until I make any movement, then she'll dart off in what I call her "bouncy run". It's so cute, she kind of gallops off with a spring in her back step so her butt bounces... She likes to play "tag" like that. I "chase" after her and she runs off again. SO cute.

If I don't snap to it right away she'll roll over on her back and kind of squirm and rub her face with her paws. I got some cute time lapse pictures a while ago:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...+lapse+holland

When she wants to be petted she'll either wiggle her way onto my lap and start purring or headbutt my hand, legs, face... whatever she can reach until I give her loves. Her favorite time for cuddles is usually around 3:00 in the morning...

Parker is easy to read. He is basically always in a lovey/happy mood. He is never mean. When he doesn't feel well, he tucks himself out of sight, but even then, I can still pat him and he won't do anything. If Buddy annoys him, he will let out a spitty sort of hiss then just walks away.

Buddy is also always in a good mood. It takes A LOT to get him annoyed or angry. When he does get to that state, his pupils get big and his ears go back but he never hisses/meows/scratches or bites. I can never go by the tail whipping back and forth because his tail always does this. Even when he is relaxing.

The problem with some making comments about body language, is that they don't look at the body as a whole or take context into account. Tail thwomping is often cited as a sign of annoyance but it can also just be excitement. My cats are very passive though and haven't ever displayed aggression towards me, so can't really say. I have witnessed strong annoyance by Buttercup though when she's sleeping and Wesley startles her by pouncing on her wanting to play, and its the stereotypical tense body, ears back, mouth open, hissing, and ready for smackdown, at which point Wesley gets the hint and bails... but then tries it again a couple days later heh!

Since purring was brought up, from what I have read it is simply a verbal signal of "I am not a threat". This explains why cats purr when they are in a diminished weakened state such as giving birth and in pain or dying or sometimes even when frightened being held by the vet and yet also purr when being pet by their favorite person or waking them up in the morning rubbing on them. It seems opposite, but is really just saying "don't hurt me I'm peaceful" submissiveness to "I'm peaceful and won't hurt you friend" to put you at ease.

Great topic and something I'm always interested in.

My cats are great at communicating their wants. Maybe they think I'm dense and need all that help, lol. Crystal meows and stretches up and makes eye contact when she really wants something, like tuna. If Russet wants to be petted, he will jump up on the bench and sit next to me, and just kind of lean into me, letting his shoulder bump me hard. He does it over and over, lol. Bring a toy and drop it if they want to play. Run away (or across my path) with a fussed-up tail in the shape of a question mark if they want to be chased in play. They have a whole set of language for the dog too, to solicit attention or play from him, or tell him to back off.

As far as mood ... Crystal gets what I call "witchy". It's hard to describe because I see it in totality, but it's mostly an expression in her eyes that I will notice first. They are slightly narrowed. She may or may not lash her tail, or make an annoyed growly sound, after someone approaches her when she is in this mood. She may also swipe a paw, or in the case of Russet or the dog just make a sudden leaping attack. She expects everyone to know when not to touch her. She may even roll on her back, but she does NOT want her belly touched when she's in that mood. Most of the time she adores full body scratching and rubbing and wants a tummy rub, but not then. That's the only time she will get rough with me, if I touch her belly when she's like that. She will bite (not breaking skin though) and may grab and hold with her claws.

The ears are sometimes involved (turned back) but again, like the tail lashand growl, that comes AFTER you've offended her in that mood.

When Russet is upset, he's easy. His pupils get big, and he jumps down and away, giving a certain two-syllable "me-OWWWW!" as he lands, and hops away. If I walk in his direction he will leave, keeping distance between us, so that is that. It's similarto when he is afraid(?) because I fuss at him and he leaves, but that's slightly more wild-eyed and the ears are back more. I don't see tail lashing from him as a sign of annoyance. He doesn't lash his tail. Too lazy probably, lol. Unless he sees a bird or squirrel outside.

Oops, you said good mood. I was mis-remembering and thinking you asked about knowing when they are annoyed.

My cats are almost always in a good mood, so I guess I don't notice anything specific? When Crystal is being REALLY affectionate, again, I see it in her eyes. Hard to describe though. But she rolls and stretches under my hands and really enjoys the petting, purrs like crazy of course, and often catches my hand and licks me too.

One other thing they both do (I think they learn behaviors from each other) is try to "herd" me. If they want something, they will stand in my way to leave the path open to the food dish (or whatever they want), dash in that direction and look at me, try to get behind me and push that way, etc. to get me heading toward the dish, the door they want opened, etc. It's kinda funny to me. Guess they have me well trained. (Inside doors btw, I don't let either of them outside.)