Ears pointed up and slightly to the sides mean a happy animal, while ears straight out to the sides can display nervousness. For both cats and dogs, ears pricked forward display alertness and interest, while ears held back or flat against their heads indicate fear. How pets use their ears to communicateĭespite the variety of canine ear shapes, you can still get a clue about their feelings by looking at the position of their ears. Dilated pupils indicate she is stressed or scared, while constricted pupils mean she may be ready to lash out aggressively. Your cat’s pupil size also says a lot about her mood. A cat who is interested in what you’re doing will stare directly at you, but this is not considered threatening, as it is with dogs. Friendly dogs rarely make intense, direct eye contact, but gaze softly at trusted humans.Ī cat will stare into your eyes and slowly blink or look away if she likes you. This eye position, called whale eye, is a key indicator of a dog’s stress level. A nervous dog’s eyes will be wide open, with much of the whites showing. Dogs may also squint, making their eyes almond-shaped with no white showing. In both cats and dogs, slightly closed eyes are a sign of contentment. Watch out if she whips her tail back and forth, because she doesn’t approve of the situation and is about to lash out. If your cat is slowly twitching her tail back and forth with her ears pricked forward, she is debating how she feels about something and can easily become agitated. A tail held high, with a slight twitch or curl, usually indicates a happy, curious cat.
A fearful dog may tuck her tail between her legs, or wag stiffly, which should let you know to be cautious.Ī cat also uses her tail to communicate, but her raised tail has a different meaning. As her excitement or anxiety increases, the tail comes up and moves more quickly. A relaxed, happy dog will hold her tail at about spine level or slightly below, and wag loosely from side to side or in a circle. How pets use their tails to communicateīoth cats and dogs wag their tails, but it’s not always an indication of happiness, even in dogs. Pick up on clues your pet sends with her ears, eyes, tail, and posture, and you’ll better understand in no time. Because we don’t speak the same language as our furry friends, it’s often a challenge to decipher what they are trying to say. Animals vocalize by barking, growling, hissing, and meowing, but body language is their main form of communication.
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