How to Decode Your Cat’s Body Language, According to Experts

Sometimes it can feel like you have no idea what your cat is thinking or feeling. Maybe it’s making strange meows and you aren’t sure if it’s happy or angry, or perhaps it will show you its adorable belly only to swat your hands away the second you go in for a cuddle. Maybe it’s rubbing against you and you’re not sure what it wants. Figuring out the reasons behind cat behavior can certainly be a conundrum.

Fortunately, you can decipher quite a bit by simply observing a cat’s body language. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common cat positions and movements to be on the lookout for, such as slow blinking, hunching its back, and lying down to display its tummy. We’ve even included a cat body-language chart for quick reference.