Cat Smiles and Love Bites

I wouldn’t really call myself a “cat whisperer”, but people say I do have a way with them. I seem to get along with cats better than humans. And somehow, I seem to be able to understand their language, at least more so than the average person. All critters have ways of communicating, you just have to be in tune with their world to understand them, and to communicate back to them. A lot of it has to do with your body language and your attitude.

Two of the most interesting language behaviors that my cats show are Love Bites and Cat Smiles.

Love Bites

Love bites are often misunderstood by cat owners. They think that their cat is showing aggression or just plain being mean. But there is a difference between a love bite and a real bite.

Love Bites are when your cat really wants you to know it loves you, and they display that love by biting you. It’s not a painful bite, but a light clamping action that they use to express their trust and love. It’s the equivalent of a human’s “love pat” – an easy slap on the bottom that is meant to show affection, not to inflict pain.

Cat Smiles

A cat smiles by momentarily squinting both eyes. This “smile” expresses contentment and acceptance, as though they don’t take you as a threat.

Cat owners often miss this quick smile, or just take it that their kitty is resting their eyes for a moment. Keep an eye open for this quick smile and soon you will begin to recognize it. The smile is often accompanied with contented purring.

Just keep in mind that your cats just want to be with you, whether it’s for some cuddling and petting, or just to have fun. I hope this will help you understand your cat’s language, at least a little bit!