All pet owners want their beloved companions to feel happy and content. But what are the signs of a happy cat? Understanding your cat's ways of communicating will help you to work out how they're feeling. And if they're not happy, what can you do to change that? We've got it all covered here...

How Do I Know If My Cat is Happy?

Cats don't always make it obvious when something's bothering them. If you're wondering, is my cat happy? You need to pay attention to the sounds they're making, their body language, behaviour and appearance.

Vocalisations

Cat purrs are usually a sign of happiness, but they'll also purr to self-soothe when they're feeling anxious or unwell. If they're purring when cuddled up on your lap being stroked, you can be pretty sure you've got a happy kitty. But if they're purring and showing other signs of not being quite right, like hiding away or not eating as much as usual, it's best to get them checked by your vet.

Chittering, chattering and twittering are comical noises that cats make when they're feeling a mix of excitement and frustration. Your cat will probably make these sounds when watching birds through the window. They also make these noises near mealtimes when they're excited about getting their food.

Meowing is a multi-purpose sound cats make for a command, greeting, announcement or objection. A high-pitched meow is usually to get your attention or because they've been startled or injured. Low-pitched meows are generally a sign of unhappiness. Pay attention to their body language and the situation to know if the meow is a happy one or not.

Body Language Cues

A cat's facial expressions can also tell you a lot about how they're feeling. For example, maintaining eye contact and slow blinks are signs of affection, like blowing a kiss! Whereas avoiding eye contact is a sign of annoyance or because they perceive the person as a threat.

A happy cat will have upright, forward-facing ears in their normal position. Their eyes will be open as normal or partially closed with slit pupils, and their tail will be pointing up with a curl at the tip. Their body posture will be relaxed, and if lying down, their belly will be visible. A happy and contented cat will be more relaxed and make themselves more vulnerable. In contrast, if they feel threatened, a cat will crouch down and tuck themselves in.

Behaviour

Aside from vocalising, cats have developed other social skills allowing them to communicate with their family members and feline friends.

Head butting, kneading and mouthing are all signs of happiness. It's your cat's way of giving you affection and asking for it in return. Your happy cat will be more playful, energetic and social than when it's unhappy.

Grooming Habits

If your cat's coat looks good, it's a sign that they feel content. Happy cats look after themselves by cleaning their coat. If your cat is stressed or sick, they won't groom themselves as much and there'll be a noticeable difference in their appearance.

Is My Indoor Cat Happy?

There's been a lot of debate over whether cats need access to an outdoor space to be happy. Some cats prefer to be outside, while others are happy to stay indoors where it's warm and safe.

The most important thing is that your cat's environment is enriching and mimics what they would be getting if they were outdoors.

Cats love to climb and perch up high. Outdoors is like a playground to them – they can climb and rest on top of trees, fences, sheds, you name it! So, an indoor cat would benefit from having climbing trees, high perches and walkways to satisfy their natural climbing behaviour.

Scratching is a normal cat behaviour and it's a form of stress relief. Nobody wants their furniture to be clawed, so it's a good idea to have scratching posts dotted around the house. You can even try different textures to see what your cat prefers.

Most cat climbing trees have scratching posts, perches, and concealed beds integrated into them – combining most of what your cat needs in one item. Your cat will also benefit from interactive toys that reward them with treats. They can use these toys to practice their natural hunting behaviours.

Make sure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water and that their nutritional needs are met with a healthy, balanced diet. Your indoor cat will need access to litter trays, with the general rule of one per cat plus one extra. They should be easy to get in and out of, kept clean, and placed away from their food and water bowls. Keep your litter trays in a dedicated place. Moving them can cause your cat to feel stressed.

How to Make Your Cat Happy

Cats are happy when their basic needs are being met. The correct diet, enough sleep, plenty of exercise, lots of playtime, affection, social interaction, and feeling safe in their surroundings. If your cat feels they're lacking in any of these areas, you'll notice a change in their behaviour.

They may become destructive, such as scratching furniture or being excessively vocal. They may hide away or start going for a wee or poo outside of their litter box. If this happens, speak to your vet so any potential health problems can be ruled out. If the cause of unhappiness is behavioural, your vet can refer you to a qualified behaviourist.

Your cat's body language, appearance and vocalisations will tell you if they are feeling relaxed and content, or whether something isn't quite right. To ensure your companion is as happy as a cat can be, make sure they're getting the correct diet, environmental enrichment, social interaction, exercise and sleep. Speak to your vet if you have any concerns.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

Everypaw's Cat Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your kitty will be well looked after. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.