Cat Chat: Communicate Better with Your Cat

Even without making a sound, a cat can telegraph its emotional state in no uncertain terms. Your pet's entire body tells you how it's feeling and how you should respond. Here's how cats express some common emotions -- from head to tail.

• Ears: Pointing forward and slightly outward
• Eyes: Open or half closed (sleepy), with pupils normal size; showing contentment with long, slow blinks
• Tail: Curved down, then up at the tip

• Ears: Pricked straight up and pointing forward
• Eyes: Wide open and sparkling
• Tail: Standing straight up or raised slightly and curved

• Ears: Twitching
• Eyes: Wide open, with enlarged pupils
• Tail: Held low, possibly between hind legs, or with tip quivering

• Ears: Held flat back against the head
• Eyes: Pupils fully dilated, making eyes look totally black
• Back: Arched, with fur bristling
• Tail: Swishing rhythmically from side to side, arched, or standing straight up with fur puffed out or bristling