Leaving your cat to go on holiday isn’t easy. One of the many questions I’m asked is ‘Will my cat be happy whilst they’re here?’ I can’t speak for other catteries but I do everything I possibly can to make sure every cat feels safe, secure and happy. When deciding which
How to tell if a cat is happy
Cats are experts at non-verbal communication, they can tell us things without saying a word. As long as we understand the subtle signs then we can tell if a cat is happy or not. Here are 16 different signs a cat may do to show that they are happy.
A calm cat
A happy cat won’t be alarmed by noises or movement, they feel safe and unthreatened. If they’ve been curled up enjoying a snooze then they’re not going to move if someone comes in the room, even their owners! This is the sign that is often misinterpreted by owners. They walk into the room after a holiday and want to cat to jump at them but a happy cat will stay in its bed to show how content they are.
Head rubs
Cats have scent glands on their necks and will rub against objects to mark their territory. A confident, happy cat will give head rubs to any object in its path including our legs. A cat in a home will often rub around legs to get our attention, particularly at feeding time, just be careful you don’t trip over them!
Vocalisations
Some cats are more vocal than others and can even have a different meow depending on what they want. One of my cats, Lola (a Bengal) is extremely vocal, I can have two-way conversations with her and I know what she wants depending on the tone of her meow. On the other hand, Nala (my Maine Coon) doesn’t meow at all, however, she will trill and chirp when she’s happy and excited.
Well Groomed
A happy cat will take pride in his/her appearance and keep themselves well groomed. They may also groom and lick other cats in the home or their owners to show how content they are.
Facial Expressions
Eyes, ears, and whiskers can be big indicators as to how a cat is feeling. A happy cat will often have their eyes half closed, looking sleepy. Or they may slow blink at their owners and other cats as a sign of trust and contentment. Their ears will be straight up and forward facing. Similarly, their whiskers which will be relaxed and slightly forwards, fanning outwards proudly. The position of the ears and whiskers will be different for a scared, worried or angry cat.
Position
If the cat is sitting down like a little neat bread loaf, with the front paws out of sight then it is happy. By tucking its paws under its body the cat is showing that he/she doesn’t feel threatened or on alert, they’re not preparing to move or jump away anytime soon.
Tummy on show
If a cat rolls around onto its belly it is a sign that it trusts you, it’s not an invitation to rub its belly, unless you know the cat likes that. Not all cats like their tummy to be touched but they will show it off if they are happy.
Appetite
If a cat is feeling anxious or unwell it won’t eat. At The Great Catby Cat Hotel I keep a close eye on every cat’s appetite, a relaxed cat will eat as normal. Some cats don’t always eat a lot at home which is why it’s important for me to know as much about your cat as possible before it arrives.
Kneading
If a cat ‘makes biscuits’ or kneads then it’s definitely happy. One of my own cats Trixie is a huge lover of ‘making biscuits’ and she’ll suckle at the same time. Kneading is an instinctive
Playfulness
It’s common for owners to think that the older their cat gets the less likely it is to want to play. Although kittens and younger cats are definitely more playful, older cats can still have fun too. I’ve had lots of successful playtimes with older cats, once I find out what excites them they are willing to play.
Tail
If a happy cat is walking or standing then the tail would be in an upright position with a slightly bent tip. Unlike a dog, a wagging tail moving from side to side can be a sign of anger.
Fur
If a cat wasn’t happy then it would fluff up its fur so that it looked spiky, especially along its spine. Smooth fur indicates that the cat is content and doesn’t feel in danger.
Responses
It’s highly likely that when you come in from work your cat will great you with head rubs, it’s clear that it’s happy you’re home. It is the same for the cats staying in a cattery. When visiting any cattery look at the cats, if they’re happy they would positively respond to their surrogate carer.
Purring
Although purring is often referred to as a sign of happiness it isn’t always the case. The meaning of the purr depends on the context and the other signs the cat is displaying. A cat may purr when it feels frightened, it helps the cat calm down. However, if a cat shows any of the other signs mentions above and is purring then it’s definitely one happy cat.
Sits with you
Not all cats are lap cats or enjoy cuddling up next to their owners but for cats that do enjoy it then they will snuggle up with you when they’re happy. For these lap loving cats being in a cattery shouldn’t be any different to at home, they should have time to curl up with a human.
Interested
A confident cat that feels settled and at ease will often show an interest in new objects or people within the environment. This is often seen with cats who are returning to the cattery for the second or third time. The first time they arrive they are wary, however, when they arrive for another holiday they are usually much more confident and jump out of the carrier into their favourite spot in the room.
Cats can be very open with their feelings, as owners we just need to be able to read the signs. If your cat has any other ways of showing their happiness then let me know in the comments.
If you are interested in seeing how happy the cats are at The Great Catsby Cat Hotel then come and visit, just send me a message with the best times/days and I’ll show you around.