“Cats don’t give very much away,” says Claire Bessant, chief executive of International Cat Care, a UK-based charity dedicated to improving cat care.
But, according to Bessant, there are telltale signs to look out for when something is wrong: “Perhaps they are a bit quiet, hiding away more, not eating as much, maybe missing their litter tray, maybe they don’t want to be picked up or patted like they usually do, or they’re sleeping more,” she says. “These are all signs that your cat’s normal behaviour pattern has changed. A change in behaviour may alert you to the fact that your cat is not happy or healthy, so you need to get veterinary advice.”
The six happy cat signals
As with all things feline, you need to look at the whole cat rather than taking things in isolation – body posture and behaviour all give clues, which can be interpreted together to give an overall view of your cat’s wellbeing.
Purring
Usually a sign your cat is relaxed and happy. Sometimes, however, cats can purr to self soothe. If your cat starts or stops purring, going against its normal habit, look at other behavioural signs to see if there might be something wrong, such as issues with going to the toilet, using their litter tray or eating.
Leg rubbing
Your cat is saying hello, just as it would greet a cat it liked in the natural world. Usually the sign of a relaxed cat that is happy to interact with you.
Looking at you with their eyes half-closed
This shows your cat feels happy and unthreatened, some behaviour experts suggest owners should return the half-closed look back to their cats, or blink at them, to reciprocate feelings of contentment.
Ears pricked
Your cat is interested in their surroundings and what is happening around them. If his ears are flattened down or turned back this could be sign of fear or being unsettled.
Tail up
A cat that is happy to meet and greet another cat or a person will approach with its tail up. When relaxed, its tail may be lowered, and if fearful it may be tucked around the body.
Kneading
A cat that kneads (pushes rhythmically with its paws and extends its claws in and out) is expressing a behaviour it used to stimulate milk flow when was a young kitten. Cats can retain this behaviour in adulthood and knead when they are with someone or in a situation where they feel very content and relaxed, or on a soft material such as a blanket or fleece.
Signs your cat is unhappy
There are no absolute signs that a cat is “unhappy”, but there are subtle cues that might indicate when a cat isn’t feeling relaxed or content – especially if this isn’t how it normally behaves.
Flattened ears or a hunched posture
Could be a sign of a stress, anxiety or fear, the reason for which needs to be addressed.
Increased meowing or decreased vocalisation
Any changes to their “normal” vocal behaviour could be an indicator of an underlying problem.
Aggression
A sign of stress or fear, or a reaction to pain.
Changes in toilet habits, resting place, sleeping or eating patterns
Could indicate stress, discomfort or illness – so your cat should be checked by a vet.
Poor coat condition
Cats are usually fastidious at grooming, a poor coat could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Being unable to groom can also be related to ageing, if they are no longer able to groom themselves it is important for their wellbeing that you groom them regularly.
How feeding can maintain a cat’s happiness levels
Make feeding fun and keep your cat in top condition by adding an element of activity to mealtimes: “If they’re an indoor cat with no access to outside space, they need to be stimulated to work harder for their food. This encourages exercise and helps keep them mentally agile, too,” says Bessant.
You can introduce puzzle feeding systems to make your cat work a bit harder for their kibble, but always keep in mind the five cardinal rules of cat-feeding:
- Speak to your vet and use a feeding guide to make sure they’re not over-fed.
- Feed with wet and dried food to ensure a balanced diet.
- Have more feeding stations than you have cats.
- Never leave the feed bowl by the water bowl – cats need them separated.
- And never feed your cat by the litter tray – would you eat in the toilet?
For help and advice on the health of your cat contact icatcare.org
Royal Canin creates tailored breed-, age- and lifestyle-specific cat food, in wet and dry form, balanced for optimum feline health. Visit royalcanin.co.uk to find out more
