Concerned about relationships between cats?

When it comes to body language in cats you sometimes may feel that it is difficult to read body language in cats. Prevention is better than cure so here is some guidance to help you be in the know and help you decipher if there is a problem. Here is some guidance on aggressive displays.

• 2 cats may walk on tip toe.

• They may thrash their tails from side to side on the back of their leg above the paws (the hock).

• Direct eye contact may be displayed.

• They may move their head from side to side too.

• A cat may attempt to bite the back of the cats neck. This cat in an attempt to protect its neck will lay on the ground and they can start to claw at each other and more.

At home signs that the relationship between cats is poor can include:

• Walking out of the room when another cat comes in.

• Hissing

• Avoiding crossing paths with each other by jumping up on to furnishings or furniture.

It can be concerning and stressful when you are worried about cats behaviour. If you are worried, there are cat behaviourists out there - like myself - to help.

Take care,

Lisa

References:

Trudi Atkinson. Practical Feline Behaviour : Understanding Cat Behaviour and Improving Welfare. CAB International; 2018

Sagi Denenberg. Small Animal Psychiatry, CABI, 2020, chapter Houpt,Katherine, Normal behaviour - cats., (2021)