When the Ears Speak, Listen!
Hard to believe, but your cat’s ears contain over two dozen muscles, enabling them to do an Exorcist-like 180-degree swivel forward, backward, up and down. Although they pan around like radar dishes scanning for sounds, they’re not just for hearing.
Like the telltale tail, the ears are a vital part of the cat’s body language, and proper interpretation can help you better understand Fluffy’s moods and in some cases, keep you safe from injury.
The Relaxed Cat
Normally, a relaxed cat’s ears will point slightly to the side and slightly forward as shown in Figure 1 above. This indicates contentment and sense of well-being. She’s neither fearful nor aggressive.
The Alert and Interested Cat
When your cat is alert and something has captured her interest, her ears will assume a straight-up orientation, and a forward posture as in Figure 2. She’ll usually greet you with ears erect, offering a friendly greeting.
The Nervous Cat
If your cat’s ears are twitching, she’s agitated and nervous, as shown in Figure 3. This might be a cue to offer her reassurance and a safe embrace. Persistent twitching could be a sign of a medical problem.
Signs of Aggression
A cat’s ears moving from a forward posture to a backward posture indicates increased aggression. A cat’s ears moving from an upright position to a full horizontal position indicates increased fear, annoyance, or submissiveness — a warning for you to leave her alone. If you notice that your cat’s ear are maintaining a horizontal orientation on a regular basis, she could have an ear infection or ear mites, and a trip to the vet is warranted.
Attack Mode
When the ears flatten against the head in a defensive position as in Figure 4, your cat is frightened and may attack. She instinctively keeps her ears flat against her head in attack mode to protect her ears from claws and teeth during a fight.
Ears that are pointing backward somewhere between the “alert” and “defensive” positions indicate an aggressive cat who may attack.
Understanding when a cat might attack can save you from injury. When the ears are back (the telltale sign of aggression), you should never try to touch or pick up a cat because you’re at high risk of being bitten or scratched — injuries that could require hospitalization.
The Ambivalent Cat
The cat’s ears are also able to move independently of one another. When they’re in different positions, the cat is ambivalent and unsure of how to respond. She’s likely to withdraw to assess the situation. As she does so, her ears may shift as they interpret stimuli and consider how to react.
When you understand both a cat’s “tail language” and “ear language,” you’re well-equipped to interpret what even the least vocal feline is trying to say.
Hey, Skeez, how about “airplane” ears or “having a hat on”? That’s when our ears are out sideways a little flatter than relaxed. Like, slightly annoyed that Mom won’t gimme more treats no matter how I ask.
HA! I had “airplane ears” recently….
I’ll tell you about it soon…
When I get curious or playful, I get what mom calls “Ears forward friendly.” She is so weird.
this is good info thank you!
Yes, I was looking ta find out abouts airplane ears, too. That must be tha horry-zontal ears… watch out.
This is a really good artickle.
Love & Purrs,
KC
MOL! The pictures, especially the last one, made me laugh!
So tell me how you tell a Scottish Folds ears! LOL Guess you have to go by the tail on these kitties!
Yesssss. Miaui and Kona would like to know what sort of gyrations those cutie patootie ‘Scottish Fold’ kitties ears make too! How can you possibly tell what they’re thinking when they can’t even pick up those downward folded ears? We’re just sayin.’
MOL! Victor Tabbycat, you took the words right out of our mouths. “Airplane Ears” are a MUST in any discussion of our beautiful aural appendages!
I like the article on what our ears say. We are amazing creatures and should be treated as such.
Whenever one of my catZ is pouting, with their back to me – usually because I won’t give ‘em something special out of the treat jar, they usually have their ears on backwards! I know they’re listening to me, to be sure I haven’t changed my mind about those yummy treats!
Hi there:
I found this great to know about cat’s ears then you can judge even a neighbour’s cat when you should or touch them.
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I’m pretty laid back most of the time ‘cept when my Mimi combs the hair clumps outta my fur around my hips,.. It’s bery irritating to my nerves and sometimes can cause pain if she’s not careful. She watches my ears though and quickly stops the combing. By golly, after 7 years, she KNOWS when to move away.
Stewie gets what we call “bunny ears” when he’s mad. Usually means I’m going to get bit!!!
Our cat not only purr’s but sometimes is so loud–especially in the early hours of the morning. It almost sounds like howling. At first we thought Tiger was sick but he is a rescue cat and maybe he never got any attention. Does anyone else have a cat that makes sounds like he is howling
My personal assistant knows when my ears are out to the side that “I am not amused”. If I feel insulted, or left out of the conversation, or WORST OF ALL: LAUGHED AT, hmmpf, I tell you what those ears of mine go right flat sideways.
Also if I just can’t quite figure something out, sideways they go!
This is Libby B Cupid’s mom. Whenever she wants to get me out of bed, she jumps up on the bed and pulls my hair./ She is very demanding
I love Cupe a lot-but some of her habits ar annoying.
I often wonder how she’d react to a ferret in the house.
Hi Naomi,
A friend of ours had a cat named “Spirit” who got her name because the first few nights she was at her new home (she came from the shelter) she hid under the furniture and howled so much she sounded like a ghost. So yes, this is a noise cats who are scared or lonely sometimes make.
The group here also make a similar noise to announce that someone is invading the territory. We’re an indoor-only bunch, but that doesn’t mean some strange cat is allowed on our lawn! Whoever notices first starts the howl, and everyone comes running to tell off the trespassing kitty.