Hill's Science Plan Puppy Medium Breed Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
100% balanced nutrition to support optimal growth & the immune system.
Hill's Science Plan Puppy Small & Mini Breed Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
100% balanced nutrition to support optimal growth & the immune system.
Hill's Science Plan Puppy Small & Mini Breed Dog Food with Lamb & Rice is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
100% balanced nutrition to support optimal growth & the immune system.
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep sthem lean & healthy.
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult cat food with egg & insect protein is a complete pet food for adult cat 1–6 years old. It's formulated for cats with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
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Christine O'Brien
|July 13, 2020
Cats are expressive creatures who use verbal and nonverbal language to communicate with their pet parents. Learning how to interpret your feline friend's behaviour will reveal a lot about their cat ear emotions and the important role ears play in conveying information.
Just as cat tail language reveals what a cat is thinking and feeling, cat ears move with emotion, too. "Like a sophisticated satellite dish turning to pick up a signal, the cat's external ear, or pinna, rotates up to 180 degrees to locate and identify even the faintest of squeaks, peeps or rustling noises," said Animal Planet.
With close observation, you'll notice a pattern of various cat ear emotions revealed by even the subtlest gesture.
When a cat's just being a cat, their ears are facing forward in what's called the neutral position. Neutral ears indicate that a cat is feeling happy and relaxed and wants to chill out. When your cat's ears are in neutral, it's a great time to take advantage of their friendly mood, so now's the time to carefully pick up that cat and get your snuggles!
A cat will move its ears into this alert position when they want to pay closer attention to what's going on around them. Your cat wants to know, "What's that noise? Who's there? What's going on?" Sometimes, their ears are even facing different directions! Cats who are inclined to patrol their home exhibit this ear position and make great guard cats. In addition to "confident, curious cats," pointed out PAWS Chicago, "a cat who is hunting or playing will also keep [their] ears forward to collect as much auditory information as possible to execute a successful pounce." Are your cat's ears pointed up? Engage them in some fun.
A cat whose ears rotate with quick, sudden movements is a cat who is on a mission. As an extension to the "straight up and forward" move, a cat will move their ears back and forth (and shake their backside) when they're ready to execute the attack. This is another great opportunity to indulge your cat's hunting instincts, being sure to direct their attention to toys and not your feet. If your cat twitches frequently and paws at their ears, contact your veterinarian to rule out ear mites or other underlying health problems.
If your cat's ears are flattened against their head in "airplane mode" — as if they're about to take off in flight — it means that they're frightened or nervous, and it could lead to aggressive behaviour. When a cat's ears are in this position, the cat is telling you that they're uncomfortable and need some space. Your cat may hide in their favourite spot until they're feeling more secure, so it's important to respect their bubble and their privacy.
In this position, a cat may be signalling that they're not feeling well, said Best Friends Animal Society. Cats are experts at hiding an illness, but this ear position helps to identify if they're under the weather. If you suspect that your cat isn't feeling so hot, pay close attention to other possible signs of illness, including observation of their eyes and tail, and share your concerns with your veterinarian.
There is no doubt about which cat ear emotions are associated with this position. Basically, it translates to "step off" and is indicative of potential aggressive behaviour to come, including biting or scratching. In multiple cat households, you may see this when cats are tussling. If it happens, keep an eye on the cats and discourage aggressive play. It's in the best interest of humans to walk away from a cat when their ears are in this position, or you could risk getting injured.
When it comes to understanding a cat's body language, the ears have it. Cat ears move with emotion and purpose, opening up the lines of communication between you and your furry friend.
Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep sthem lean & healthy.
Hill's Science Plan Kitten & Mother Tender Mousse Cat Food with Chicken & Turkey is a complete premium pet food for kittens from weaning until 1 year old and for pregnant and nursing cats. Formulated with chicken, turkey and other specially selected ingredients to support gut health and optimal growth. It comes in a soft mousse texture they'll love.
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult cat food with egg & insect protein is a complete pet food for adult cat 1–6 years old. It's formulated for cats with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.