How to Tell If Your Cat Is Angry

I’m an avid YouTube user. 

More specifically, I love watching YouTube videos of wild animals attacking people.

No, I don’t do it because I like seeing another human being getting mauled to death by a lion or getting his or her leg bitten off by a crocodile.

Rather, I do it out of curiosity because I want to see what makes wild animals snap and attack people.

Thankfully, I have never been chased by either a lion or crocodile or been in a life or death situation with either of these animals and I don’t plan on it anytime soon either.

Having said that, I have been on the receiving end of an attack from a domesticated animal.

More specifically, I endured an attack from my cat Bartholomew. 

Let me tell you, seeing your cat behaving aggressively and baring its teeth at you in an angry way is not my idea of fun.

Bartholomew actually sank his teeth into my leg.

Needless to say, I was in excruciating pain.

I always wondered how sharp a cat’s teeth really were.

Well, I got a very hands-on experience as to how sharp they are and it’s an experience I don’t want to have again.

Note: If you’re having an issue with cat biting see this article on how to get your kitten or cat to stop biting you.

And that’s what I want to get into today.

So without further ado, let’s get into how to tell if your cat is angry.

Read on below! 

5 Signs Your Cat is Angry

1. Aggressive Vocalizations. Keep a safe distance from your cat if it is hissing, growling, spitting, or moaning. Hearing any of these sounds is not a good sign. Take heed of these as warning signs from your cat. These sounds are the closest your cat can get to saying “Hey, back off!” 
2. Subtle Yet Expressive Tail Signals. Cat tails are very expressive, but in a way that is often subtle. A tail that’s flickering back and forth quickly or held low may indicate that your cat is irritated. The hair may also stand up on an angry cat’s tail. 
3. Ear Signals. An angry cat’s ears will lay flat, either towards the side or back of her head. A cat that isn’t angry will have relaxed ears.
4. Aggressive Body Language. Observe your cat’s stance. An angry cat will often display an arched back with fur standing on end or a body that’s hunched close to the ground. 
5. Swatting. If your cat swats at you when you try to pet it, respect it as a clear signal that it doesn’t want to be touched.

Key Things to Remember When Dealing with an Angry Cat

1. Keep your distance! Do not underestimate the harm a cat can cause. Don’t agitate your cat by trying to come near it when it doesn’t want you to. 
2. Let your cat calm down. Cats, just like humans, need time to cool off when they are upset. Let your cat cool off and regain calmness. Cat toys are a way your cat can release energy and destress.
3. Don’t let this ruin your relationship with your cat. Your cat is your friend and a loved one. Don’t treat your cat as an enemy just because it’s angry. Take these steps to get your cat to like you.

Video of an Angry Cat

If you’re still completely clueless on how to tell if your cat is angry, don’t worry! I got you covered. Just watch the video link below and you should be good to go! 

Final Thoughts On How To Tell If Your Cat Is Angry

Seeing your cat angry is no fun and can be a harrowing experience, but it is entirely fixable.

It doesn’t have to be the end of a loving bond between you and your cat. Just keep a safe distance between you and your cat and let it cool off. Let your cat calm down and then resume trying to feed it or play with it at a later time.

A cat’s mood can change in an instant, but don’t take that as a sign that you should put yourself in harm’s way. Keep your distance and keep calm and you will be much better off.