Feline Communication

Question 1

Which senses help cats communicate when they are near each other (i.e. over close distances)?

Answer 1

Sound, vision, and olafaction.

Question 2

Which of the following cat sounds indicate that a cat is very aggressive and may attack for no reason? Hiss, chatter, call, growl, and/or, meow?

Answer 2

Hiss and growl.

Question 3

True or False:

Indoor cats marks their territory by rubbing their cheeks on inanimate objects like couches and chairs.

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

A cat is lying on its back with its belly facing towards the ceiling. What does this posture indicate to you? The cat wants to play, the cat is in a defensive posture, the cat is frustrated, the cat is fearful, or the cat is submissive?

Answer 4

The cat wants to play.

Question 5

You go over to a friend’s house and notice they have a cat sitting in the corner. As you approach it, it raises its fur and starts to growl. You also notice that its tail is half-raised, but not twitching. What posturing, auditory and visual communication does this tell you about the feline?

1. The cat is offensively aggressive and will lunge at you for no reason.
2. If you approach the cat any further, it may attack you.
3. While this cat is most likely afraid, it w ill probably not flee.
4. This cat is greeting you and wants to be petted.

Answer 5

2. If you approach this cat any further it may attack you. This is a defensive posture the tail not twitching indicates the cat is afraid and will attack if provoked.

Question 6

Your friendly, spayed female cat is sitting on the window sill and notices an unfamiliar cat outside the window. What types of call would you expect your cat to make?

Answer 6

Growl.