Cats can communicate with sounds other than just hisses, growls, chattering, or meows. There are several benefits to nonverbal communication, such as tail talk and over vocabularies. For instance, a cat's location can be determined by sounds, but posturing is imperceptible. Much to the astonishment of many owners, cats communicate primarily through their ears, which can provide a wealth of vital information about their mood or next move.
Various Types of Nonverbal Cat Language
Various Types of Nonverbal Cat Language
Cats use their facial expressions, bodily postures, and motions to communicate silently. A cat's eye can reveal a lot about its inner emotions.
For instance, comfortable and happy cats usually have wide-open eyes or, if they are extremely relaxed, slightly closed eyes. Now relaxed cats may look their owner in the eyes and maintain that look for a little while. Cats with dilated pupils are frequently afraid or feel aggressive.
Fortunately, there are also non-visual cues that owners can use to gauge their cat's mood, like the way the animal holds its ears. Here are four distinct ways that cats use their ears to communicate their emotions, ranging from agitation and anxiety to curiosity and unease.
1 - Curious
Curious ears that face forward show interest. Additionally, this helps its funnel-shaped pinna (external ear flap) focus on intriguing noises in order to take in as much context-relevant information as possible. Cat owners may observe that their cat points those ears towards even the smallest sounds when they are sleeping.
2 - Uncomfortable
A cat's ears move to the side when it feels threatened or disturbed. The protrusions on either side of Kitten's head resemble the wings of an airplane. This could lessen any disturbing noises. Ears oriented sideways are also better shielded. Think of 'airplane ears' as a warning signal to retreat and put an end to whatever is causing the feline to feel frightened.
3 - Agitated
Ear flickering could be a sign of growing tension. At extreme arousal, the ears that face sideways flutter and vibrate very rapidly. Should this continue, it can also indicate a medical issue. The cat may escalate to a threat or assault if the pet, other person, or other cat that is triggering the arousal fails to move away.
4 - Fearful or enraged
Cats that are scared or enraged fold their ears tightly against their heads or turn them back. This protects the ears from being bitten or scratched in preparation for a fight. Cats with their ears slicked back may be charged if their attacker doesn't heed their warning.
A cat's ears can serve as a barometer to help owners foresee and steer clear of possible issues.
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