how can we know a cat is happy ?

[chenchern]

how can we know a cat is happy ? will she / he move their ear .. ? or tails ?


thanks

[TopCat3]

All cats have their own characteristics. Personally I think they are a little too proud and dignified to show happiness in an unrestrained way! When content, many cats, mine included, purr and almost close their eyes or do long, lazy blinks with their eyes. I remember one day my younger cat was playing and running along happily and did a sort of skip with her back legs, a bit like a rabbit does! There are lots of books around that tell you how to "read" your cat by looking at the way she holds her tail or her ears etc. Also how to learn to interpret the different little sounds they make, like a chirrup when they enter a room, to announce themselves, and the different miaow sounds. It'll be interesting to see what our other forum friends have to say on this.

[momcat]

Hi! Every kitty has his own personality so different cats may show it in different ways. I was chosen by Groucho when he was 7 weeks old, he was 4 in March. The signs I see that he's happy are that he's very friendly and doesn't run away when someone comes over, he goes right to them and wants to be friends. When he walks around his tail is always straight up, he purrs a lot and is very affectionate (when he wants to be). But I guess the most obvious sign is the way he'll roll over onto his back demanding a tummy rub. I've heard that this is the ultimate trust since their underside is the most vulnerable. He greets me at the door every day when I come home from work most often on his back waiting for his hello tummy rub. In the morning he stays right by me as I get ready for work. When it's time to leave, Groucho is right by the door meowing and asking for one more tummy rub before I leave. There was this one morning when my backpack seemed a bit heavier than usual. Opened it up and there was Groucho inside. Guess he wanted to spend the day with me at the office. Groucho has a very sweet personality and is extremely friendly to everyone. He gets lots of love, affection, and care. Our vet once said this is because he knows how much he's loved and is responding to it. I don't doubt that he's a very happy kitty.....

[moosmom]

From what I've read, when a cat is happy and content, their tail is straight up in the air and the tip of it curls.