Cats may not speak our language, but they are constantly communicating. Every gesture, posture, and expression can carry meaning. Learning to recognize these subtle signals may strengthen your bond with your cat while revealing a surprisingly complex world of feline communication.

Many behaviors that seem puzzling—or even amusing—are part of this language. For example, when your cat rubs against your legs, it can be both an affectionate greeting and a way of leaving familiar scent behind. Cats have scent glands around areas including their cheeks and chin, allowing them to mark people and objects in their environment. Urine spraying can also function as scent communication and isn’t limited to unneutered males. Neutered males and females may spray too, particularly when stressed or responding to changes around them. But scent marking is only one clue—your cat’s ears, eyes, whiskers, and even pre-pounce movements can reveal much more.