Signs Your Cat Is Happy

As cat parents, there’s nothing we want more than to know our feline friends are living their best lives. Just like us, our feline friends express how they feel through their body language, vocalisations, and use many different parts of their body to show us their emotions.

Still not sure if you have a happy kitty at home or want to learn the ins and outs of happy cat behaviours? Our petcare experts say to look for these many different signs of a happy cat-read below!

Sounds a Happy Cat Makes

• Purring. Most cat owners are aware that purring is a sign of a happy and comfortable kitty. It almost always is, but it’s good to know that cats can also purr when they are in pain or stressed, such as at the vet’s office. Purring combined with any of the other signs and signals listed here, though, indicates feline contentment.
• Chattering/chirruping. Not all cats chirrup, but when you hear this trilling sound, you’ll know your cat is happy. Usually reserved for good bird-watching sessions, cats chirp and chatter when they’re enjoying a visual stimulus.
• Meowing. Cats don’t always meow to each other, but a happy cat will meow and talk to their humans. Cats can be very vocal, especially when they’re happy. Vocal kitties may have long conversations with you, and the pitch of their meow will often indicate to us to how they are feeling.

Behaviours of a Happy Cat

By paying attention to our cat’s behaviours, we can tell how they are feeling. Look for these signs of a happy cat or kitten:

• Eating regularly. Happy and content cats have good appetites and enjoy their food. If your cat is not eating regularly or his eating habits change, it’s often a sign that something is wrong and a vet visit is in order.
• Grooming in front of you. The primary thing to look for in a happy cat is that they are comfortable performing their normal and natural behaviours around you. If they regularly groom and lick themselves when in your presence, they feel safe and at ease.
• Making Biscuits. A good sign of a happy cat is kneading their paws into their bed, blanket, or your stomach. Happy cats knead their paws on soft surfaces or their humans, and you might notice that your cat is purring and happily drooling when kneading. It’s a natural, inherent behaviour, and, chances are, most cats will be caught making biscuits at one time or another.

• Using the Litter Box. A content cat will use their litter box and is usually more forgiving if its maintenance isn’t quite up to par. A cat that is anxious or unhappy may express it by going toilet outside the box.
• Playing. Play is a great indication of happiness, and your kitty will play with other pets and humans that they like or trust.
  Often this play may be solo, such as attacking a hanging feather or chasing a toy mouse down the hall, but other times it may include human family members. However, rest assured—a cat that is playing is most decidedly a happy kitty!
• Snuggles, Cuddles, Lap Sits and Co-Sleeping. You’ll know your cat is happy and comfortable if they show affection to you and want to interact with you. Whether they’re snuggling up to you after a long day or cuddling on your lap, a sign of a cat who’s happy and comfortable around their human will exhibit this behaviour.

Body Language of a Happy Cat

• Slow Blink aka Cat Kiss. One of the unmistakable and totally endearing signs of kitty bliss is slow blinking. Warm eyes, followed by a slow blink is one of the most heartwarming signs of kitty happiness and love. A kitty giving kisses is definitely content.
• Arching their back when you pet them. When you reach to pet your cat, do they arch up to meet your hand, or turn their heads toward you to get just the right angle for chin scritches? These are signs of a veyr happy kitty!
• Greeting You. If your cat comes to the door when you get home, lifts their head and meows, or even gives you a chirrup to say hello, chances are they are extremely content.
• Belly-up. When a cat gets in front of you, puts their head down and rolls over, exposing their belly, it means they completely trust you and want to express affection and happiness to see you.
• Relaxed Posture. A happy cat will be relaxed when around you. That means they will stretch out long and show vulnerable parts, such as their stomachs. Anxious or unhappy cats will hunker down to hide or get into a defensive position, preparing to fight. If you find your kitty doing the former, rest assured they are happy.
• Tail Up. You can tell your cat is happy if their tail is straight up in the air, usually with a little curve to the end. Some cats’ tails even vibrate slightly when they are really happy and excited!