Can you tell what your pet is thinking?

They are our best friends and soul mates-- but can we really listen to what they tell us?

What are some body language tips that you can pass along?

One of my cats loves to be carried belly up - if I don't put him in that position he gets all irritated. My other cat hates to be carried belly up, so I don't do it to him.

My cat that loves to be carried belly up, also tends to be very "needy" for attention. He's constantly getting right up in my face, rubbing on me, purring, etc., etc. If I pet him, he'll keep demanding more and more and more - if I stop to do something else, he gets pushy about wanting my attention.

My other cat is much more independent, he'll take attention, he likes being in the same room as me, but doesn't feel the need to be right up in my face at all times.

The good thing is I can call either of them by name and with a few hand gestures, they will leave the room or follow me somewhere else in the house.

I love my cats

I love mine, too! I do understand-- Maybe I need to edit that to say that some cats don't mind it, but you have to know your cat...

"Showing the belly" is, for my babies, a REALLY good indication that they trust and love me... If I make them "show the belly" they don't like it.

But all cats are individual, unique personalities-- and very very dear companions!

No, you don't need to edit it! It is simply a matter of knowing your cat - like I said, my one cat loves it, the other not so much. Oh, I will say, my cat that loves to be carried belly up, only likes me to do it - he doesn't like either of my boys to do it.

I fixed it above-- see if you think that is more accurate!

lol, there was no need for that

Yes, I think so-- every pet is different, and we all have to realize that what one cat/dog does, another may not!

Hi Dowser - the kitty I had last loved for my hubby to carry him in his arms belly up like rocking a baby. I never carried him that way but hubby got away with it. Picky kitties!

I've learned a lot from my cats through the years. I would watch one of them at night when I was alone and he would tell me if someone was around the house that shouldn't be. If kitty would get up and go to the door I knew I should check things out.

I've watched the cat whisperer above on Animal Planet and he has some great ideas. Great article!

They have definite ideas , for sure! Mine like to think THEY are in charge-- and they are, to be honest. I am but their humble servant...

I watch the Cat Whisperer all days on Saturdays, if I can-- I learn so much from him! Mostly, I've learned that what I have been doing all these years has been ok, for the most part-- 1) They are in charge, and 2) you need a head kitty, and 3) being calm is best... LOL!

I think we all have to listen to them, and what they are trying to tell us-- dogs and cats, and babies...

But, I'm certainly not the perfect "parent", by any means, and I'm always learning something new!

My little Mo would try to keep me from going down the hall if he felt I was in danger...

Can you guess what this dog is thinking?

Wally loves to be carried with his belly up and then he gives you one paw to to kiss and then the other,,, and he'll keep doing that until you're tired, LOL!

Right now he is very blue. The girls went back to school and we realize that when he seesluggage he knows someone is going... or that we're all going which means a visit to the grandparents (my folks). So he's just laying around like a lump and is hardly moving. It really is so sad.

It's 6:15, why aren't they home yet ? I want my kibbles !

LOL!

I have no idea what a lizard might think, other than ok to eat vs too big to eat!

Funny!

Squirrel!

LOL!

Maybe I should say cats you don't know that well! Little baby doesn't mind it either!

Dowser.......You are the winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He told me in his doggie way, "Why is it every time I look out this window he's running around out there and when I'm out there he's never around?" "Dawg it!"

I knew this already before he told me. The squirrels run and hide from me too.

I'm all dressed and ready to go!

Yes, of course. Dogs are telepathic. They send you pictures and ideas. I'm sure of it.

LOL!

Your dog looks like our dog, Lulu-- and she is sure she will catch one, some day... She stands at the patio doors, gazing intently out there, because every now and then, there's one of those little rodent suckers out there running around...

Oh my, he's beautiful! I made a little hat and red velvet jacket for my Siamese, Mo, and he loved it! He looked like Beppo, an organ grinder's monkey!

I am, too. So are cats. They know what I'm thinking and they tell me what they're thinking, by the flick on an ear...

Our dogs are the same way... How I love them!

Much love to you, dear Grump!

While dogs are generally more 'social' with people than cats are, feline personalities can definitely run from very aloof/withdrawn to really open & sociable; I suspect critter attitudes are partly a result of early experiences w/ people and partly due to innate disposition. My big orange fuzzball, L'ardasse Underfoot, is pretty convinced that everyone should realize immediately that he's so friendly &lovable & respond in kind; even with total strangers, he's prone to flop down & roll over on his back expecting a tummy-rub. If he doesn't get a few strokes, he'll look up and give a meow like "See the kitty-- pet the kitty-- love the kitty".

I heat with a big wood/coal furnace in the basement, and a couple years agoL'ardasse took to following me when I'd go down to add fuel... climbing over the woodpile as I'm pulling out cordwood (natch) and watching with apparent interest while I deal w/ ashes, etc. I'd usually pick him up for a hug & some strokes when I finished doing the stoking, and this got to be a regular routine. Then one day it dawned on me that he must wonder 'Why does this guy always go down in the basement when he wants to pick me up?'

What a hoot, Jim!!! Mine let me know they want hugs, too-- and golly, I love them so! Today, our dog Tommy, sat next to me on the sofa, with his head in his lap. He usually doesn't want me to pet or rub his head much- but today was a different story! I wonder if he had a headache, and needed some comforting...

I can see you at the woodpile with your sweet kitty-- What WOULD we do without them? Their company is so important!

All of our babies are rescues, and I have only a vague idea about their backgrounds... Tommy was abandoned-- his family left him tied to a tree, and finally, after a few days, the pound came and got him. He has had real abandonment issues, here and there, but is finally beginning to realize that his is ours, and by golly, he's stuck with us. He is inside in the winter, and has plenty to eat, and sleeps with us on the bed, and is a regular family member. He is finally realizing that when we get into the car, he's going with us-- and we're not dumping him somewhere. SIGH!

We have two rescues right now-- Freddy, a mini-doberman/dachshund mix, and Andy, a feral cat, whose ear was chewed on. They are both beginning to be more socialized-- and seem a lot happier, now that they've settled in.

This is an excellent article Dowser!!! I have four dogs and hehe.. the most I can understand from them is 'Food!!!" or 'PET ME!!!'

I do have two little stalkers that constantly stalk me everywhere I go. Otis and Charlie are pugs, and they just can't stop getting into my busisness every single second of the day.

They just want to be with Mama, who is interesting!

MUCH love to you, dear friend! I'm so glad to see you here! You don't know how much! I've missed you!

My cats understand the saying "Dogs have owners, cats have staff". That's the way it works in our house. We don't dare get a dog although I would love to have one.

I had a cat named Ivy who would lie in wait, tummy up, looking very much like she wanted nothing more than a nice belly rub. Then she would launch a full assault on the unsuspecting victim. She could also purr and growl at the same time, also very misleading.

Our cat Tucker loves to have his belly stroked nice and slow, like you mentioned but when my husband does it he goes straight into nirvana. All I warrant is a nice purr. Cats totally have their favorites and even though I'm the one who rescued him and gives him his treats, Tucker totally prefers my husband. Perhaps he is a little misogynistic.

Good one Charles. The birds are pobably wondering why you got the cats. And when we have pets, we are never in control. Ever.

THAT'S the truth! I am here on my bed with 2 dogs and a cat... I cling to the side, while they have all the room in the world. Nothing quite like waking up with a squeaking duck toy on your pillow with you...

However, that is 100X better than a dead mouse.

Both mine will show their belly but the Tortie, is a belly exhibitionist, she will show it for anyone and when we cuddle on the sofa usually within minutes its on her back for me to rub the belly as we watch TV. My Maine Coon loves a belly rub too and LOVES to be groomed, at a minimum twice a day, after breakfast and after dinner and if I get up in the middle of the night too, she will throw herself in my way for a brush and a cuddle. My Maine loves to be picked up as long as I don't let her bottom half dangle in anyway, she needs full grip.

Both are gentle girls, no rough housing (unless it involves the scratching post). So always smooth strokes, kisses and pats.

I can tell by the various chirps, meows, trills etc if it's food, attention, leave me alone or play with me. If the noises don't tell me the headbutting, nibbles on my nose, paw on my leg will tell me too!

Here was my Tortie, Jazmine and I last night!

What beautiful little kitties! How much we love them!

I'm learning our little Andy's language-- and he's learning ours... He is our rescue kitty who was feral. Loving as he is, we have spent a couple of months getting to know each other. And I'm learning what he is trying to tell me. They are all so sweet!

We had a little tortie named Clementine. She lived to be 17, and was a kitty on her own. She ruled all of us with an iron paw!

Tortie's are princessess, they love to think they own all that they see. Jazzy is always try to hog my attention from her sister and steal her sisters favorite places to lay down. Rescue pets always become the best pets as they know you saved them. It's awesome that you are taking the time to help a feral cat as they are usually the hardest to place. Both my girls are rescues.

I love our little Andy-- and I've always taken in dogs and cats. They need love, and they give so much more that I...

I think rescues are the best, too-- and they realize the precariousness of life, and appreciate what you do for them. They always seem to have a little hint of fear that life may go so terribly wrong for them again. They seem to enjoy the good times more, because they know it may not last. With me, I'll starve before they do. Maybe, on some level, they know that.

Jazmine looks like she is in kitty heaven!

My little shi-tzi-poo-pug loves to sleep with me, and he just loves me so much he will fart at me during the night and wake me up! When I feel lousy, he is right here with me. When 4 p.m. rolls around, he will stare at me, and if I ignore him, he will thump his front paws a couple of times or untill I look at him. It's his feeding time and he wants his food.

At 9 p.m. or so, he will start the same thing, staring and thumping. It's time for his 3 teaspoons of milkshake and he wants it NOW!

Yes, she is thinking she wants my supper.

Without a doubt! If YOU'RE eating it, it has to be good!

They are such company! They can make us smile when nothing else does!!!

How much we love them, and rely on them! They are endlessly diverting!

Thanks, for coming by to see me, dear Susan! I hope your baby can bring you rest for your soul after your horrible weekend! Much love to you!

Thank you, Dowser. I think a pet can be about the best therapy one can have. I know, I wouldn't trade my furbeast for anything under the sun, even though he does like to fart at me.

I love mu furbeast, can you tell?

Yes, and I understand. Without mine, I would not have survived. THEY were the reason I got up and went on with life-- I couldn't let them down.

That is the funniest video I've seen in a LONG time! I was roaring with laughter!!!

Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! WHAT a hoot!

Love, love, love and MORE this article, Dowser!!! Oh, a great video there. When the cat screamed at the beginning, mine took notice!! I don't have time to read all of the answers, but I will be back to on another day, how's that?. Here's what I have to offer so far, andhope the comments aren't too duplicative. I just can't resist!!

Cats like to scratch furniture because they are using some type of "marking of territory". Located under their "paw pads". They have to do it, they just have to. It's in their nature. Well, that is, they need to scratch SOMEWHERE. Giving them an acceptable claw board usually does the trick, and directs them away from the furniture. But first, I've found, you need to get their attention in a loving manner. It may not seem loving to THEM, of course, but it really is. It means that everyone in the household (humans sharing the dwelling with cat or cats) comes out happy in the end. Never, ever, declaw a cat. It is inhumane, and many vets simply refuse to do it. How would any of us like our nails pulled out by the roots, never to grow back? Just as our nails have a purpose, so do theirs. Just help teach them where to use their claws, and have a lot of patience. They'll work with you, they really absolutely will, if they are domesticated. If they are feral, well that's more info than I can offer here.

So, in directing themTOWARD the acceptable claw board (wish I had a picture, but I don't), you first have to direct them AWAY from the furniture!! Usually a rolled up soft sock will produce the startle response, then when they move away, say something like "good kitty", "Oh so good kitty". Praise, praise, praise when they get it right. One time won't do it. And, if approached the wrong way, they won't get it right. Not ever. So, I recommend just use loving discipline. As you would with a child. Yeah, just like a kid. Don't ever be mean. It doesn't work anyway. Only loving discipline works.

And, cats are not "aloof". They are extremely interactive, they just have their own style, as we all have. I have found, with the more "challenging" cats, that a certain code must be cracked. They keep trying to tell us, and it is our job to tune in, as you point out in the article. They are each one their own mystery!!

Andthank you so very much, Dowser,for your direction to adopt whichever pet companion is going to suit your lifestyle. RESCUE the poor things, and you can't even imagine the love and loyalty that you will receive back!!

Either cat or dog!! Many rescue organizations will help you. In turn provide THEM with your current household particulars, so that they can help you choose your "best friend". Hey, they are there in the night at times when you're having a long night. If you live alone, or ARE alone and everyone else is asleep, guess who can be there for you?? Yeah, your best friend. Unconditional love.

Whatever you choose, cat or dog,be prepared to "put in the work" as you would any baby and child. It's like you said in your article, Dowser. You were right on there. I figure they are FOR LIFE, and if something interferes with that, it's really sad. But, it can be life.

I guess we might all have had to at times find newhomes for them. It's SO hard when that does happen. Which is why, I too, Dowser, have become committed to rescue programs. I LOVE that is a part of your message here. I try and remember, that they are like as orphans, and while it may break your heart that you can't take them all, take the one that you CAN take. Because, that is one less that is an orphan. And the person who had to surrender their beloved cat or dog has had their prayer answered. By YOU.

Finally, and I'm sure this is mentioned, SPAY and NEUTER your animals. I'll be back to read through every single comment. What a great and upbeat article...........just what the doctor ordered!!

Loving them is our priveldge. Losing them? Unbearably painful. Yeah, they are family alright.

At this point, I know my limit. I can't have as many as I'd like. But, I both like and love what I have. They help me deal with life, after all. Life that can be so confusing. What an AWESOME reward. Both directions, equally companions.

And if at all possible, approach them on a lifelongbasis. The rescue organizations or worse, well they've run out of room to take on more. We all lost a lot in this "new economy". The cats and dogs also lost, and they are sad and waiting. Search your heart, but never exceed your limits.

And, if you can't, you can't. It's better not to adopt at all if it won't work out. Requires heaps of thought. It's just as loving if you should decide that you can't do it. We know ourselve on this point, don't we?

I can tell sometimes...but far less often than the cat knows what I'm thinking.

Now if I could just get the cat to realize I'm not mad at her just because I jump to keep her from throwing up on the couch!

personaly I'm more into cat speak myself,...its as easy as this,....

Who the heck knows what dawgs think about?

I can read my buddies to an extent but what they are truly thinking is a mystery.

LOL! I need to tell Tommy to "Innovate!"

He's such a sweetie-- but not really bright!

Those are SOOOOO True!

Our Clemmie adored my husband. I was ok, but Peep was a blot on her existence-- especially once he moved out of the bassinette and into HER crib. I don't think she ever forgave him for it!

Golly, I love them, each and every one!

VERY good words, dear Kara!

Adopt if you can-- they love us forever!

Oh gosh, I can so relate to that.

Without fail, EVERY time I sat down to eat my dinner, my Mo kitty would get on top of the refrigerator and throw up down the side... Like it was a signal...

UGH!

They seem to get really upset with the one on the right, too!

I've decided the female dogs are easiest to understand when you can't see them as I'm convinced thatthey have a bigger noise "vocabulary" than the males do.

I used to be able to tell what my dog was thinking or seeing just by the various sighs, moans, growls, and barks were going without needing to go see myself.I could easily tell which house member (pack member to her) was coming home as she made different sounds for each one. It was easy to tell how serious she was about something as if she was really suspicious she would go extra fast to see what was happening elsewhere in the home.

That dog was a great "human evaluator" and she never failed to indicate who was and was not operating with an agenda in mind.