Learn More About Cats

“EARS”

It might be hard to believe, but the ears of a cat contain over two dozen muscles, enabling them to do a 180-degree swivel forward, backward, up and down. No wonder they are called Halloween cats. Although their ears pan around like radar dishes scanning for sounds, they are not just for hearing.

A cat’s ears and tail are a vital part of a cat’s body language, and proper interpretation can help you better understand their moods and in some cases, keep you safe from injury.

 

 

 

 

Normally, a relaxed cat’s ears will point slightly to the side and slightly forward.

 

 

This indicates contentment and a sense of well-being. She’s neither fearful nor aggressive. She’ll usually greet you with ears erect, offering a friendly greeting.

 

When your cat is alert and something has captured her interest, her ears will assume a straight-up orientation, and a forward posture.

If your cat’s ears are twitching, she’s agitated and nervous. This might be a cue to offer her reassurance and a safe embrace.

But remember persistent twitching could be a sign if a medical problem.

 

A cat’s ears moving from a forward posture to a backward posture indicates increased aggression. A cat’s ears moving from an upright position to a full horizontal position indicates increased fear, annoyance, or submissiveness. This could be a  warning for you to leave her alone. If you notice that your cat’s ears are maintaining a horizontal orientation on a regular basis, she could have an ear infection or ear mites, and a trip to the vet is warranted.

When the ears flatten against the head in a defensive position, your cat is frightened and may attack. She instinctively keeps her ears flat against her head in attack mode to protect her ears from claws and teeth during a fight. Ears that are pointing backward somewhere between the “alert” and “defensive” positions indicate an aggressive cat who may attack.

Understanding when a cat might attack can save you from injury. When the ears are back (the telltale sign of aggression), you should never try to touch or pick up a cat because you’re at high risk of being bitten or scratched. Injuries that could require more than just a Band-Aid.

 

 

Cat’s ears are also able to move independently of one another. When they’re in different positions, the cat is ambivalent and unsure of how to respond. She’s likely to withdraw to assess the situation.

 

 

Hope this information helps.

Thank you for reading Kitty Village News.

S&B