How Do You Know If Your Cat Is Happy and Content?
Not all cats are the same, and as pet parents, we quickly learn their different personalities much like children. Some cats are more reserved and perfectly content with being by themselves. Instead of laying on your lap or with other cats, they tend to curl up alone. Another way you can tell if your cat is content if they rub up against you. For example, Robin follows me throughout the house. No matter where I am in the house, he is rubbing up against me. The only time this is an issue is if I have black pants on and going out. It is also important to understand some cats will rub up against you to leave their scent to let other cats know that you belong to them.
Have you witnessed a cat kneading on a bed, chair, or even you? This is another sign of them feeling content and safe. If you have seen a kitten nursing from their mother, they knead on their mother when they are nursing. The kneading response reverts to when they felt safe and content with mom, so when shared with you it is a self-soothing action that is important to their feeling safe.
Purring is always a sign of being happy and feeling safe. If your cat is purring in your lap or when you are petting them, they feel content and safe. Olivers purr is like a diesel pickup idling next to you at a signal light. Otherwise, he is our least vocal kitty. We know when we are petting him in the right spot because he lets us know by his loud purring!
Did you know when your cat makes eye contact with you and slowly blinks at you two or three times in a row is a sign of content and peace? Want to make your cat happier, blink back in the same manner! This shows them you love them, and they will feel safer with you.
How about conversations with their meow? Not all cats will communicate with their meowing, especially ones who are not as verbal. Smoky and Saddie are perfect examples of this! Smoky is very verbal and meows all the time. Sometimes, I think he does this so we will call him by his name. We call him to ask what is wrong, he comes running so we can hug him and pet him! Saddie is very quiet and rarely will make a noise. She just comes up to get attention.
The way they hold their tail is another sign of a cat’s contentment. If it is in a question mark position, they are happy. They usually walk around with their tail in the question mark position. You can tell if they get scared or worried because their tail is lowered to the ground as they run to hide.
Bursts of energy are also another good sign your cat is happy and content. When they bound through the house like their tails are on fire, or playfully jump out at you, they are happy.
Cats are their happiest when they spend time with you. Those who love to lay on your lap and sleep show they trust you and are content. However, this trust does not come easy for some cats. Oliver was a rescue cat from the animal shelter at seven months old. Oliver is eight years old now and has never wanted to lie on anyone’s lap. Over the past year he has been drawn to my husband, Kevin. In time he would sit on the arm rest of the recliner or couch next to Kevin, but that was his limit. Kevin was very patient with Oli and just allowed him to come around at his own pace and did not rush or force him. After about six months of Kevin earning Oliver’s trust, Oli would step in Kevin’s lap to step over to the other arm rest. It took time. One day he finally lay on Kevin’s lap and fell asleep. Now, they are buddies and Oliver is in Kev’s lap all the time. He has found someone he can trust and be comfortable with, but he had to do his own way in his own time.
Take some time and watch your cat. It is likely that you have already noticed most, if not all, of these behaviors, but we don’t often take the time to really isolate them and give them our full recognition. Your cat’s personality and contentment manifest itself through body language and facial expressions just like yours does.
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