Pets seem to have their own secret language when it comes to communicating their thoughts and feelings with their favorite humans, and understanding what your pet is trying to tell you can help you enjoy an even stronger bond with your four-legged companion.
In this blog, our team at Brownswitch Pet Hospital helps decode pet body language to bridge the communication gap between you and your beloved pet.
What Are Pets Thinking When They Wag Their Tails?
A pet with a wagging tail is happy, right? Perhaps. As with any pet body language, it’s important to dig deeper for context before interpreting what that tail wag means.
A firm, twitch-like wag following an interruption like the doorbell can signal that your dog is on high alert and perceives a potential threat. Cats will often thump their tails on the ground when they’re annoyed or angry.
But if your pet greets you with a swishy tail wag that seems to involve the entire body, it means she’s ready to play!
How a Pet’s Face Says, “I’m Happy!”
In pets, the eyes, ears, and mouth often work together to say, “I’m happy!” This is the pet body language of a happy, content pet:
- In dogs, the mouth might be open in a relaxed pant, with the dog appearing to grin from ear to ear!
- Dogs will keep their eyes soft, with their forehead relaxed (not wrinkled).
- Cats and dogs will both hold their ears in their natural position.
- Cats might blink their eyes slowly to show they’re content.
What Are Pets Thinking When They Expose Their Bellies?
Cats in particular like to keep their private parts, well, private. So when a cat displays her belly, it means she’s feeling confident and safe. She trusts you, and if you’ve rubbed her tummy in the past, it could be an invitation for a belly rub. Hot dogs will often sleep on their backs to cool off, but just like cats, they’ll also lounge with their tummies on display to signal how comfortable they are in their surroundings.
How Dogs and Cats Communicate Nervousness
Stressed or nervous dogs will try to self-soothe and might display the following behaviors:
- Exaggerating yawning
- Avoiding eye contact
- Lip licking
- Scratching or self-grooming excessively
Cats, on the other hand, communicate nervousness more directly by either hiding or tucking themselves into a ball and holding their tails tightly against their bodies. Their pupils will dilate, and they’ll hang their heads low.
Aggressive Pet Body Language
When both cats and dogs display aggressive pet body language, the message is clear: they are poised and ready to react to a perceived threat. Watch for bared teeth and a stiff body posture, and listen for growls or hisses. The fur might raise up (a cat’s tail will poof up to double its size), and their gazes will be fixed in a hard stare.
Pet body language gives us important clues into what our pets are feeling. If your pet’s behavior suddenly changes, or your pet seems overly aggressive or fearful, please contact us at (985) 646-2025 for an examination. We can help determine what is making your pet uncomfortable.