Think you understand your cat’s emotions just by looking at them? According to science, you might be wrong — and you’re not alone.
A fascinating peer-reviewed study tested over 1,400 cat owners on how well they could identify eight key feline emotions. The results were eye-opening.
In this study, we’ll reveal which emotions are most misunderstood, ranked from easiest to hardest to recognize — and help you better understand what your cat is really trying to say.
Why Emotional Recognition in Cats Matters
Cats may not use words, but their body speaks volumes — if you know how to listen.
Understanding their emotional signals helps you:
- Avoid unwanted behaviors like scratching or biting
- Reduce stress during grooming or vet visits
- Build stronger, more trusting bonds
- Improve multi-cat relationships
When you misread their signals, you risk breaking trust or causing unintentional anxiety.
The 8 Feline Emotions: Ranked by How Often They’re Misunderstood
Based on the recent study, here’s a ranked list from easiest to hardest for owners to recognize:
| # | Emotion | Recognition Accuracy | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Friendly | ✅ High | Confused with “happy” or “relaxed” |
| 2️⃣ | Relaxed | ✅ High | Mistaken for “bored” |
| 3️⃣ | Angry | ⚠️ Medium | Confused with “playful aggression” |
| 4️⃣ | Happy | ⚠️ Medium | Often mixed with “friendly” |
| 5️⃣ | Curious | ⚠️ Medium-Low | Mistaken for “playful” or “alert” |
| 6️⃣ | Fearful | ❌ Low | Seen as “calm” or “relaxed” |
| 7️⃣ | Content | ❌ Very Low | Confused with “friendly” or “bored” |
| 8️⃣ | Anxious | ❌ Lowest | Most often mistaken for “relaxed” |
Most Misunderstood: Anxiety
The study clearly shows that anxiety is the most misread emotion in cats. Owners often believe their cat is calm when it’s nervous or distressed.
Signs of an anxious cat include:
- Crouched posture
- Tucked tail
- Dilated pupils
- Ears sideways or flattened
- Refusing eye contact
Fear vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Many owners also confuse fear and anxiety, but they are different:
| Fear | Anxiety |
|---|---|
| Response to a known threat | Freezing, pacing, and over-grooming |
| Hissing, hiding, retreating | Freezing, pacing, over-grooming |
Understanding this difference can help you intervene early before fear turns into aggression or withdrawal.
Easiest to Recognize: Friendliness & Relaxation
These were the most successfully identified emotions in the study, but even then, there were mix-ups.
Friendly Cat Signs:
- Upright tail with a curl
- Slow blinks
- Approaching you with head up
Relaxed Cat Signs:
- Lying on the side or back
- Kneading or purring softly
- Ears facing forward, loose body posture
⚠️ Mistake: Many people confuse relaxed behavior with boredom or ignore it entirely.
How You Can Train Yourself to Spot These Emotions
1. Create an Emotion Diary
Track your cat’s daily behavior and context. What happened before they crouched or swatted? Were there new guests, smells, or noises?
2. Record & Review
Video your cat during play, sleep, or while interacting. Watch body cues frame-by-frame — you’ll be amazed at what you missed.
Final Thoughts
Understanding feline emotions is a skill, not just instinct. And science shows that even loving, experienced cat owners get it wrong more often than they think.
By learning to distinguish anxious from relaxed, fear from friendliness, and curiosity from stress, you’ll unlock a stronger connection with your cat—one based on empathy and trust.
With the help of reliable research and the right tools, you can become fluent in your cat’s silent language.
