Most people look up pet body language when something feels slightly “off”: a dog that’s suddenly stiff at the park, a cat that swats during pats, a bird that sits fluffed for hours, or a rabbit that stops moving and hunches. These moments matter, because the early signals of stress and discomfort are often quiet, and they can tip into biting, scratching, or illness if they’re missed.
Body language works best when you read it as a whole scene rather than a single sign. Tail, ears, eyes, posture, and movement all add up. The aim is simple: notice the first small changes, give your pet space when they ask for it, and know when it’s time to call your vet.
How to read pet body language (the quick method)
Start with the environment, then scan the body from head to tail. A single cue can be misleading, but clusters are usually clear.
- Context first: noise, visitors, handling, other animals, food, pain, heat, confinement.
- Look for “loose” vs “tight”: relaxed muscles and smooth movement versus stiff posture and held breath.
- Watch for escalation: subtle stress signals often appear before growling, hissing, lunging, or fleeing.
Dog body language: common signals and what they tend to mean
Tail wagging: arousal, not a guarantee of friendliness
A wagging tail can mean a dog is happy, but it can also mean they’re tense and ready to react. Tail height, speed, and the rest of the body make the difference. A tucked or low tail often sits with fear or uncertainty; a high, still or vibrating tail can come with tension and assertiveness. Read the whole dog, not the tail in isolation.1, 2
Ears and eyes: the “weather vane” of attention and unease
Ears forward commonly show alert interest. Ears held back tightly can signal fear or discomfort. In the eyes, a hard stare, wide eyes, or showing the whites (“whale eye”) often appears when a dog is worried and doesn’t want the situation to continue.1
Posture and movement: loose curves versus stiff lines
A relaxed dog tends to move with a soft, wiggly quality—weight shifting easily, body curved rather than squared. A dog that goes stiff, leans forward, freezes, or holds their body tall and tense is telling you the stakes feel higher to them. Give space and reduce pressure (step back, turn side-on, stop reaching).2, 3
Cat body language: common signals and what they tend to mean
Tail position and movement
A tail held upright is often seen in friendly greetings and confidence. A tail that lashes or swishes sharply is more often a “stop” sign—overstimulation, irritation, or conflicted arousal. A puffed tail usually appears with fear and defensiveness, especially if the back is arched.4, 5
Ears, eyes, and the slow blink
Forward ears usually accompany curiosity or calm interest; ears flattened back are a clearer warning that your cat is frightened or defensive. Slow blinking is widely described as a trust signal—an easy way to greet without crowding. Pupil size can change with mood, but it also changes with light, so treat it as a clue rather than a verdict.4, 6
Body posture: belly-up doesn’t always mean “pat me”
A relaxed cat may sprawl on their side or show their belly, but many cats still don’t enjoy belly rubs. If the tail starts lashing, the skin ripples, the ears rotate back, or the body tenses, pause the contact and let them reset.7
Bird body language: common signals and what to watch closely
Feather fluffing: comfort, cold, or unwell
Brief fluffing can be part of settling and preening. But a bird that stays fluffed for long periods, sits quietly, or seems less responsive may be cold, stressed, or unwell. With birds, subtle changes can matter—when in doubt, speak with an avian vet.8
Beak and head movement
Gentle beak tapping and head movement can be exploratory behaviour. Beak grinding is commonly described as a relaxed, settling behaviour in many parrots—often heard when they’re winding down to rest (though context still matters).8
Wings held away or drooping
Wings held slightly away from the body can be a simple cooling posture. Drooping wings combined with lethargy, fluffing, or reduced appetite is more concerning and warrants a veterinary check.8
Small mammals: rabbits (and similar prey animals)
Relaxed signals versus “please don’t approach” signals
Rabbits show comfort in their posture: lying stretched out, legs relaxed, or sudden joyful jumping and twisting (“binkying”). A worried rabbit may crouch low with tense muscles and ears flattened back, or hide. These are prey-animal strategies: stillness and avoidance rather than obvious protest.9
Hunched posture: stress, pain, or illness
A rabbit that sits hunched and tense, especially if they’re also quiet, hiding, or not eating, should be taken seriously. Pain and gut problems can escalate quickly in rabbits, so contact your vet promptly if this is new or persistent.9
How to respond in the moment (without making it worse)
When you see stress or discomfort
- Stop the interaction: pause petting, stop leaning over them, stop trying to pick them up.
- Give distance: step back, turn side-on, soften your gaze.
- Reduce triggers: lower noise, move children away, separate animals, offer a quiet room.
- Let them choose: allow your pet to approach again on their terms.
When you see relaxed, social signals
Follow the invitation, but keep it gentle. For dogs, that may be a loose game or a sniffy walk; for cats, brief pats around cheeks and chin often go down better than long body rubs; for birds and small mammals, calm routine and predictable handling usually earn trust over time.1, 5
When to get professional help
Book a vet visit (and consider a qualified behaviour professional) if you notice any of the following:
- Sudden behaviour change without an obvious trigger
- Repeated aggression, guarding, or “no warning” bites/scratches
- Persistent hiding, hunched posture, or refusal to eat
- In birds: prolonged fluffing, sitting low, reduced appetite, or marked quietness
Environment and routine: why body language shifts at home
Most pets read the home like a landscape—sound, scent, movement, and predictability. Changes in routine, renovations, visitors, new animals, or even a shifted feeding schedule can show up first as small body-language changes: less play, more scanning, hiding, clinginess, pacing, or sharper reactivity.
Steady routines, safe retreat spaces, and control over social contact (especially for cats and small mammals) reduce background stress and make your pet’s signals easier to read.5, 9
References
- RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia — How to interpret body language in dogs
- RSPCA WA — How to speak dog
- FOUR PAWS Australia — How dogs communicate
- FOUR PAWS — How cats communicate
- RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia — Understanding cat tail language
- The International Cat Association (TICA) — Understanding your cat’s language
- SPCA of Northern Nevada — Cat communication
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Bird owners (health and behaviour information)
- RSPCA Knowledgebase — What does my rabbit’s body language mean?