FM1 Pt1-3 Cat Communication

Question 1

What do dilated pupils indicate in cat communication?

Answer 1

Dilated pupils indicate that the cat’s sympathetic nervous system is activated, preparing it for fight or flight.

Question 2

What do narrow pupils mean in cat communication?

Answer 2

Narrow pupils usually mean the cat is content and relaxed.

Question 3

How do cats use their ears to communicate emotions?

Answer 3

Cats use their ears to communicate during confrontations.

Question 4

What do ears pulled close to the head & folded down indicate?

Answer 4

Avoidance of confrontation

Question 5

What do flattened ears on a cat indicate?

Answer 5

Flattened ears signal imminent attack

Question 6

What do backwards & rotated ears indicate?

Answer 6

offensive aggression.

Question 7

What does the elevated tail signal in cat communication?

Answer 7

An elevated tail held vertically is a greeting between cats, often preceding mutual rubbing (allorubbing).

Question 8

What are the three categories of sounds cats make based on mouth movement?

Answer 8

1. Open/close mouth sounds
2. Mouth shut sounds
3. Mouth fixed open sounds

Question 9

What are examples of open/close mouth sounds?

Answer 9

includes variations of “miaow” and harsher “OW” sounds.

Question 10

What are examples of Mouth shut sounds?

Answer 10

includes purrs and chirrups.

Question 11

What are examples of mouth fixed open sounds?

Answer 11

includes hisses, snarls, growls, spits, and shrieks, focused on aggression and defense.

Question 12

What are signs of defensive aggression in cats?

Answer 12

Defensive aggression is signaled by crouching down or lying on their back, dilated pupils, flattened ears, and open mouth hissing.

Question 13

What behavior signifies offensive aggression in cats?

Answer 13

Offensive aggression is indicated by erect fur along the spine, an arched tail base held downwards, and rotated backward ears.

Question 14

What are the signs of sociability between cats?

Answer 14

Signs of sociability include chirrups when greeting, sleeping together, allogrooming, allorubbing, friendly greetings after absence, and playing together.

Question 15

What causes inter-cat aggression in a household?

Answer 15

Causes include incompatibility, redirected aggression, territorial defense, illness, death of a cat, return after hospital stay, and genetic predisposition to territoriality.

Question 16

What are examples of passive aggression in cats?

Answer 16

Passive aggression includes staring, claiming access to owners or resting places, pouncing on sleeping cats, and blocking thoroughfares like cat flaps or litter trays.

Question 17

What role does understanding feline communication play for veterinary nurses?

Answer 17

It helps them advise owners on behavioral indicators of affiliative or agonistic behavior, potentially preventing the development of behavioral problems or stress-related diseases.