Understanding Kitten Body Language

Kittens are born with eyes and ears closed, but their senses of touch, taste and smell are already well developed, They rely on this information to help guide them to their mother and even to the same nipple on their mother. Scent will play an important role in communication throughout the kitten's life.

Some adult behaviors seem to be left over from kitten behavior. Kneading the paws, for example, is a kitten reflex that they do to the mother's breasts when nursing, as it appears to stimulate milk flow. Adult cats often still knead their paws when contented. Some kittens and adult cats will even suckle objects or human skin when given a chance, kneading as they do. 

Kittens will mew to signal distress to their mother, who will usually act to alleviate whatever is wrong. Later, they will also meow to you when separated, lonely, bored, or anxious. Purring usually means the kitten is contented or relaxed; however, it can also signal that a cat or kitten is in pain. Hissing signals the cat or kitten is frightened and defensive. 

One of the many delights of living with a kitten is watching him at play. Here you can see many adult behaviors, such as hunting and fighting, emerge as a form of playful practice for serious matters in later life. Not only is it often all in play, but the behaviors are often presented in exaggerated form. For example, hunting behavior is often exaggerated with extra-high pounces to whatever toy has been labeled prey. 

But there can be subtle differences from adult behavior. A kitten may rush at you, leap in the air, come down with back arched and tail fuzzed, then crabwalk away in a blatant play display of attack and retreat. In a kitten, this is a playful behavior that is usually an invitation for you to come and play, whereas in an adult, it's more often a warning to please stay away. 

A kitten that is engaging in play aggression lashes his tail back and forth, flattens his ears, and dilates his pupils. These are signs that an attack against your hand or other vulnerable part is about to follow. 

Understanding what your kitten is saying through body language means combining all aspects of his body language, often along with the context in which he's doing it. Following are some components of kitten body language: 

Posture:
Straightened rear legs, with rear end higher than front: aggressive (or being petted).
Arched back, sideways stance: defensive display (often play behavior)
Crab walking, usually with arched back: (defensive display (often play behavior)
Crouched with head turned: fearful, submissive
Crouched, rear end wiggling: preparing to pounce
Rolling over: playfulness or appeasement, depending on context (often play fighting behavior)
Rolling repeatedly: female in estrus soliciting (watch out for this in older intact female kittens!)
Sprawled out: relaxed
Hunched up: relaxed, or possibly, sick
Rubbing on you: friendly

Fur:
Erect ridge of hair on back: aggressive, or slight fear or excitement
Erect hair all over: fearfulness (or could be part of play)

The Paws:
Kneading: contentment
Scratching on vertical surface: marking territory
Unsheafed claws: aggression (usually part of play)

The Tail:
Straight up: friendly, content
Straight up, fuzzed: aggressive, scared (often part of play)
Level with back: relaxed, neutral
Tip twitching: interested, stalking
Thrashing: irritated, excited

The Head:
Stretched forward: Greeting
Held high: assertive
Lowered: aggressive or submissive, or part of play stalking
Turned to the side, chin tucked: lack of interest
Chin tucked: relaxed
Head-butt or rub: friendly

The Eyes:
Open wide: alert, playful
Half mast: relaxed
Prolonged stare: assertive, playful, or stalking
Dilated pupils: fearfulness, excitement, playful, pain, or in low light
Slit pupils: concentrating, relaxed, or in bright light
Nictitating membrane (third eyelid) showing: sleepy, sick

The Ears:
Facing forward with a slight tilt back: relaxed
Facing forward, some swiveling: attentive, playful
Slightly back and flattened: anxious
Far back and flattened: scared (or part of play)

The Whiskers (vibrissa):
Pricked forward: interest
Flattened backward: fearful

The Mouth:
Yawn: anxiety, non-threatening intentions
Hiss: threatened, defensive
Lip licking: anxiety