FM1 Pt1-3 Cat Communication Flashcards
(17 cards)
What do dilated pupils indicate in cat communication?
Dilated pupils indicate that the cat’s sympathetic nervous system is activated, preparing it for fight or flight.
What do narrow pupils mean in cat communication?
Narrow pupils usually mean the cat is content and relaxed.
How do cats use their ears to communicate emotions?
Cats use their ears to communicate during confrontations.
What do ears pulled close to the head & folded down indicate?
Avoidance of confrontation
What do flattened ears on a cat indicate?
Flattened ears signal imminent attack
What do backwards & rotated ears indicate?
offensive aggression.
What does the elevated tail signal in cat communication?
An elevated tail held vertically is a greeting between cats, often preceding mutual rubbing (allorubbing).
What are the three categories of sounds cats make based on mouth movement?
- Open/close mouth sounds
- Mouth shut sounds
- Mouth fixed open sounds
What are examples of open/close mouth sounds?
includes variations of “miaow” and harsher “OW” sounds.
What are examples of Mouth shut sounds?
includes purrs and chirrups.
What are examples of mouth fixed open sounds?
includes hisses, snarls, growls, spits, and shrieks, focused on aggression and defense.
What are signs of defensive aggression in cats?
Defensive aggression is signaled by crouching down or lying on their back, dilated pupils, flattened ears, and open mouth hissing.
What behavior signifies offensive aggression in cats?
Offensive aggression is indicated by erect fur along the spine, an arched tail base held downwards, and rotated backward ears.
What are the signs of sociability between cats?
Signs of sociability include chirrups when greeting, sleeping together, allogrooming, allorubbing, friendly greetings after absence, and playing together.
What causes inter-cat aggression in a household?
Causes include incompatibility, redirected aggression, territorial defense, illness, death of a cat, return after hospital stay, and genetic predisposition to territoriality.
What are examples of passive aggression in cats?
Passive aggression includes staring, claiming access to owners or resting places, pouncing on sleeping cats, and blocking thoroughfares like cat flaps or litter trays.
What role does understanding feline communication play for veterinary nurses?
It helps them advise owners on behavioral indicators of affiliative or agonistic behavior, potentially preventing the development of behavioral problems or stress-related diseases.
