How to understand your cat's mood

Cats have personalities and moods just like humans. It’s important to observe and judge your cat’s moods when establishing and building your relationship.

Assessing your cat’s mood:

• Cats express themselves through their body language.
• A resting, happy cat will appear relaxed, with a slow moving tail, drooping or closed eyes and it’s ears will be placed at a 45° angle to its head.
• Indicators of a fearful, anxious or angry cat are a pulled-back head, whiskers and ears, tense muscles and a tail that is held closely to or under the body.
• Hissing is a defense mechanism. Give your cat the space it is requesting.

• Draw the cat toward you using a calm voice, crouching down low and holding out your hand to your cat.
• Don’t stand straight on and upright, making quick motions.
• Try to stay calm, soothing and small.

• A new cat may not feel comfortable with you at first.
• As they start to get comfortable, you can coax them out of their shell with play time, a toy, some treats (make a trail of treats leading the cat to you).
• Ideally you want to encourage a cat to be with you rather than force them.
• Give new cats a few weeks to adapt to a new home environment.