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🫢 A cat’s facial expressions can indeed convey emotions.
A 2019 study from the University of Guelph in Canada showed that humans can recognize “emotional cues” such as anger, fear, or contentment through cats’ subtle facial expressions. Animal Welfare also notes that a cat’s facial features—eyes, ears, whiskers, and mouth—do change in response to different emotional stimuli.
📍 Tail, ears, pupils—an emotional dashboard
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Behavioral basis:
- Ears flattened backward: Signifies defensiveness or displeasure.
- Pupils constricted: Indicates intense focus or anger.
- Tail flicking side to side: Usually expresses irritation or a warning.
- Whiskers forward: Signals alertness or excitement.
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Researchers also found that when angry, cats not only display typical “body language” but also change their behavior toward their owners, such as:
- Avoiding interaction
- Reducing physical contact
- Refusing food
- Dodging eye contact
Cats’ “angry faces” come in levels:
Level 1 | Mild annoyance (30% anger)
Signs: Furrowed brows, side-eye glances with a hint of disdain, slight defiance.
Level 2 | Somewhat angry (50% anger)
Signs: Ignoring you, tail tip flicking impatiently, short “meow!” sounds.
Level 3 | Clearly upset (70% anger)
Signs: Ears fully flattened back, tail swinging sharply, low “growling” sounds.
Level 4 | Extremely angry (100% anger)
Signs: Fur standing on end, tail puffed up like a feather duster, baring teeth, hissing or snarling.
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Summary: How to avoid making your cat “wear an angry face”?
- Learn to read its body language—ears, tail, and pupils are all signals.
- Respect its boundaries—not all cats like having their bellies rubbed.
- Admit defeat promptly—when it’s upset, it’s best to put on an “I’m sorry” face too.
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❤️ In fact, a kitten’s anger comes and goes quickly. As long as you don’t confront it, it will soon return to its 高冷 “I forgive you” demeanor.
