Animal behaviour - Dog and cat body language

Although dogs and cats cannot speak, they can still let us know when they are happy, scared or angry.

We can tell what they are saying by how they look and the sounds they make.

Dogs

Happy/relaxed
  • Body is usually relaxed
  • The head is held slightly raised
  • Tail either still or in slow wag
  • The tongue hangs out in a relaxed manner
Nervous/frightened
  • Reduces size by crouching or rolling over to show belly
  • May tuck tail between legs or move from side to side in a lowered position
  • Ears are back or flat on the head
  • Eyes may appear slightly closed, looking away or flicking side to side
  • Maybe panting or licking lips
Angry
  • Stands up on tips of paws
  • The hair on neck and back stands up
  • Tail held high and may wag slowly
  • May snarl with lips lifted, exposing teeth
  • Eyes are wide open and staring
  • Ears held forward
  • Growling and snarling

Cats

Happy
  • Body is usually relaxed
  • The tail is high with tip hanging over the back or relaxed and low
  • Ears are pointing forwards
  • Eyes open or if completely relaxed may be half closed
  • Whiskers held out to the side
Frightened/timid
  • Body is low to the ground
  • Ears are laid flat on the head
  • Whiskers laid back or flattened against the face
  • Tail low
Defensive
  • The tail is low and still or swishing
  • The back may be arched and ears flat to the head
  • Whiskers are back and pupils dilated
  • Hissing