Have you ever caught your cat with what looks like a grin and wondered if they’re actually smiling at you? The bad news is that it’s unlikely that your cat is actually smiling. The good news is that while cats don’t smile or laugh in the same the way humans do, they do have their own unique ways of expressing content and joy.
Content:
- Do Cats Smile? Understanding the ‘Feline Smile’
- Do Cats Laugh or Have a Sense of Humor
- Signs of a Happy Cat: What Smiles and Laughs Really Mean
- Final Thoughts
- Conclusion
Do Cats Smile? Understanding the ‘Feline Smile’
Cats don’t actually smile with their mouths, unlike humans, as a way to show happiness. What we may interpret as a ‘cat smile’ is usually just the natural shape of their face. The mirthful upturn of their little cat lips is largely down to teeth placement and jaw shape. Some cats, particularly breeds like the Russian Blue or certain ginger tabbies, have facial structures that create the distinct appearance of an upturned mouth, but it’s not related to their emotional state at all.
So, if cats aren’t smiling, how do we know how they’re feeling? Cats do, in fact, have the equivalent of a smile: the slow blink.
Dr. Dwight Alleyne, a veterinarian expert with JustAnswer Veterinary, explains, “The main reason cats slow blink at us is to show they love and are happy with us.”
As one Reddit user perfectly captured it: “Slow blinking means ‘I feel so safe with you that I can close my eyes.’ Blinking slowly in the wild could open a cat to potential threats.”
And it works both ways, too! If you want your cat to know that you love them or are pleased with them, give them a long, slow blink and see how they react. This behavior has even been validated by research – a study published in Scientific Reports found that cats respond positively to slow blink communications from their humans.
Other cat behaviors that indicate happiness and contentment in your cat include an upright tail posture with an inquisitive curve at the end, sleeping stretched out around you, and exposing their tummy to you – all these behaviors show that your cat is happy around you and feels safe in your company. Keen to find out how your cat feels when you're not home? The Petcube Cam 360 is a great way to check in on your furry friends when you’re out.
Do Cats Laugh or Have a Sense of Humor
Cats vocalise in several ways, from meows and yowls to hisses and growls. They even chatter (which sounds an awful lot like ‘ekekek' But of all the sounds a cat does make, laughing isn’t on the list. Research does suggest, though, that cats do experience play and enjoyment. Studies on animal emotions suggest that they experience positive emotional states. Research published in Current Biology has shown that cats form genuine attachments to their parents and can experience positive emotions during social interactions with them.
While your cat might not understand your knock-knock jokes, they do have a playful side – if a little cheeky at times - like knocking things off tables or pouncing on invisible prey.
This is why it’s extremely important to schedule daily playtime with your cat – it’s not only good exercise for them, but it builds positive associations between you. After a good session of enthusiastic play, make sure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water. The Petcube Fountain is not only convenient but also hygienic, featuring a human-grade filtering system to ensure the cleanest refreshment.
Signs of a Happy Cat: What Smiles and Laughs Really Mean
Real feline happiness is expressed through kneading (aka baking biscuits), purring, relaxed body posture, head butting, slow blinking, and playfulness.
Dr. Andrew Raskin, a lead veterinarian and partner at CityVet Roswell, notes that, "Cats tend to exhibit slow blinking behavior when relaxed and in a content setting, calm and with their loved ones."
A content cat might expose their belly to you (warning: this is not always an invitation to touch), have forward-facing ears, and seek out your company.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line? While cats don’t smile or laugh like we do, they have their own sophisticated emotional language. Learning to read these signals helps us understand when our feline friends are truly happy – no grin required.
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