Have you ever noticed that your cat flattens his ears at the vet? It turns out that this is actually a normal response to fear and anxiety, even if it looks like he’s sending you a message.
The furrowed brow, narrowed eyes and flattened ears are all signs of an upset cat but there are many other reasons why your kitty might have these same telltale expressions on his face. Here’s what each ear-flattening pose means:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Cats flatten their ears as a sign of fear, aggression, or defensiveness. |
| Flattened ears can indicate stress or a warning to stay away. |
| Understanding cat ear positions can help interpret their body language accurately. |
| Different ear positions convey various emotions and intentions. |
| Observing ear positions along with other signs can indicate discomfort or pain. |
| Training cannot directly change a cat’s ear positions, but understanding their body language is beneficial. |
Fear
The first thing you’ll notice when your cat is afraid is that his ears will flatten against his head and his pupils will dilate.
He may also lower his body, tuck or hide, and even growl. If a stranger approaches your cat, do not force him to interact with them this could be a very bad idea! Instead, let the cat approach the stranger on their own terms if they want to.
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Submission
Submissiveness. When a cat flattens his ears, he is showing that he is not a threat and wants to be left alone. This can be used to avoid conflict or when a cat finds himself in a situation where he feels threatened, such as being chased by another animal or being attacked by one (or even just chasing back).
Submission is also used as an expression of respect when greeting other cats or people, which helps prevent unnecessary aggression or fighting.
By showing submissiveness with their flattened ears and lowered body posture, they are saying “I am not going to hurt you; please don’t hurt me!”
While some cats may use this strategy more often than others depending on their personalities (for example some may be naturally more aggressive than others), every cat should know how to show submission if necessary so that they can avoid being harassed by other animals looking for trouble!
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Submission ID | Unique identifier for the submission. |
| User Name | Name of the user who made the submission. |
| Date | Date when the submission was made. |
| Content | The actual content or data submitted. |
| Status | Current status of the submission (e.g., pending, approved, rejected). |
| Category | The category or topic to which the submission belongs. |
Offended
If you’re watching a cat, and he suddenly flattens his ears and goes into this posture (see picture), it means he’s offended. While other cats may just be annoyed or angry, this is a more serious threat display.
The cat will drop his tail down between his legs, lower himself to the floor to appear smaller, narrow his eyes and flatten his ears against his head and if you’re lucky enough to see it in person, you might also get some lip-curling! The body language here says “back off!”
There won’t be any growling or hissing involved with this; instead of being aggressive towards someone who has offended them (like when dogs show their teeth), cats use flattened ears to try and communicate that they’re feeling threatened by someone’s actions or words.
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Playful
Playful ears are accompanied by a playful smile, as well as a tail that is held high. Your cat may also meow or purr in a high-pitched tone, sometimes even squeaking.
When you see your cat’s ears go flat, it’s easy to believe that he is angry with you. However, this is not always the case and it’s important to remember that cats can express many emotions through their body language and facial expressions! Some of these emotions include:
- Aggression (a low growl)
- Fearfulness (tail tucked between legs)
- Surprise (ears suddenly going up and down)
Angry
When the cat’s ears are flattened, it means that he is angry or annoyed. In this case, the cat will also likely be hissing and/or growling in an attempt to intimidate you.
There are a few reasons why this could happen:
- The cat may be angry about something that you or someone else has done (like stepping on their tail).
- The cat may be annoyed by another pet or person in the house.
- The cat may simply dislike his current situation (such as being stuck indoors while it’s raining outside).
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Emotion Level | Intensity level of anger (on a scale of 1-10). |
| Trigger | Event or circumstance that caused the anger. |
| Duration | Length of time the anger was experienced. |
| Response | Action or behavior displayed in response to anger. |
| Resolution | Outcome or resolution of the anger. |
Excited
When your cat flattens his ears, he is demonstrating what is called the “startle” or “flattened” position.
This can happen when your cat is scared, upset, or agitated. It also happens when he gets excited for example, if you come home with a new toy for him! In other words, flattened ears mean different things depending on what else is going on in that moment.
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Curious
The most obvious reason for cat ears to flatten is when your feline friend is curious about something.
Cats are generally inquisitive by nature, and if they see or hear something that piques their interest, the most likely response will be to perk up the ears and listen in.
This may also occur when they’re exploring a new place or area of their home they haven’t been before.
You might notice this behavior particularly in young cats who are just beginning to wander around outside of the house as opposed to older cats who tend to stay close to home!
Cats can also flatten their ears when they’re listening closely as well; after all, while many people think of them as being clean animals with minimal grooming needs (which is true), cats have very sensitive hearing relative to humans so it makes sense that this would be one way in which they can discern what’s going on around them from other sounds!
Hunting
There are a few different reasons why your cat might be flattening his ears.
Flattening the ears is a sign of aggression in cats, so if you see this happen when your cat sees another animal or person, it’s important to give them some space.
This can also occur when they are stalking prey, so if you notice your cat doing this while he’s out exploring in the yard or neighborhood it could mean that he’s ready to pounce on something!
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Contented
A cat that is contented will usually have its ears laid back against its head, with the tips facing downwards.
When a cat is comfortable and relaxed, it will often display this by having half-closed eyes and a relaxed body posture.
The tail may be held in a normal position or even straightened out to one side of the body (like a big “S”). Meanwhile, the cat’s whiskers tend to be relaxed as well since they are very sensitive to touch and movement.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| User | Name or identifier of the contented user. |
| Date | Date when the contentment was observed. |
| Activity | Activity or situation contributing to the contentment. |
| Duration | Length of time the contentment lasted. |
| Description | Additional details or notes about the contentment. |
Disgusted
If you’ve ever seen a cat put his ears flat against his head and then turn away from something he finds unpleasant, it might have made you wonder what exactly was going on. This is one of the most common cat behaviors and it’s easy to misinterpret.
When your cat puts his ears back, it can mean that he’s angry or frightened; however, sometimes flattening the ears signals that your kitty is disgusted or otherwise displeased with a particular smell or noise.
Cats are particularly sensitive to smells (some cats even have an aversion to citrus scents), so they may be disgusted by strong odors such as garlic or perfume.
Also if a loud noise startles them like fireworks during July 4th they may turn away in disgust as if whatever startled them had smelled bad or tasted awful
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Conclusion
If you see your cat flatten his ears, it’s important to look at the context of the situation. What is he doing and what do his other body language cues tell you?
If he’s not behaving aggressively in any way, then it’s likely that he is either scared or offended by something going on around him.
If he keeps his ears flattened for more than a few seconds after seeing something new then it might be worth checking with the vet just in case there’s something wrong with them (such as an ear infection).
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic of cat ear positions and their meanings:
What If My Cat’s Ears Go Back?: Discover what it means when your cat’s ears go back and how to interpret their body language accurately.
Understanding Cat Ear Language: Learn about the different positions of cat ears and their significance in communicating emotions and intentions.
Decoding Cat Ear Positions and Their Meanings: Gain insights into the various ear positions of cats and understand what they convey in terms of mood, feelings, and behaviors.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about cat ear positions and their meanings:
What does it mean when a cat’s ears are flattened?
When a cat flattens its ears, it usually indicates that the cat is feeling scared, defensive, or aggressive. Flattened ears can be a sign of stress or a warning to stay away.
Why do cats have different ear positions?
Cats use different ear positions to express their emotions and communicate with humans and other animals. The positions of their ears can convey a range of feelings, including relaxation, curiosity, alertness, and aggression.
Are cat ear positions the same for all breeds?
While cat ear positions generally have similar meanings across different breeds, it’s essential to consider individual variations. Some breeds may have specific ear characteristics that can influence their overall expression.
How can I tell if my cat’s ear position is a sign of discomfort or pain?
If your cat’s ear position seems abnormal or deviates from its usual behavior, it’s crucial to observe other signs of discomfort, such as changes in appetite, grooming habits, or vocalization. If you suspect pain or discomfort, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
Can I train my cat to change its ear positions?
While you can’t directly train a cat to change its ear positions, you can develop a deeper understanding of their body language. By observing your cat’s ear positions in different situations, you can gain insights into their emotions and better respond to their needs.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.