Pet Communication

Have you ever wondered...?

What Your Pet is Trying to Communicate?

...what your dog is trying to communicate to you? Barking is an important way for your dog to communicate their needs and wants. Barking can relieve stress, boredom, can be an attention getter, and can be territorial. A dogs body language is also a way for them to communicate. The following is a general guideline and is meant to help your lean how to interpret what your dog is trying to tell you. Keep in mind some dogs do not follow the "norm".

Tail Pointing - Interested and looking for something
Tail Down (between legs) - Scared, defensive, being dominated
Tail Up - Happy
Tail Wag - Excited
Arched Back, Tail High, Hair Raised - Aggression
High Pitched Short Repetitive Bark - Wants attention, play
Normal Short Bark - Hello
Low Deep Short Bark - Announcing a stranger
Low Deep Repetitive Bark - Defensive protection
Growling - Warning, frightened, aggressive. Keep in mind some dogs growl during play and this is considered to be an instinct showing dominance not aggression. It should still not be allowed.
Whining or Yelping - Stress or pain

...what your cat is trying to communicate to you? Cats use their meow to signal they need something but uses its body language to convey a message. Below is a general guideline to follow but we suggest you study your cat's behavior because each cat can be very different.

Repetitive Meow - Feed me, let me outside, wants something
Quick Meow - Hello
Howling - In season or searching
Purring - Content, soothing itself
Short Repetitive with Hissing - Warning
Low Deep Growl - Aggression
Rubbing Head, Mouth and Body - Marking territory, pet me, wants something
Tail Swat Fast - Mad
Tail Swat Jerky - Stalking, pounce
Tail Swat Slow - Happy
Lap Sitting - Territorial, attention
Tail Up Shaking (Unneutered Males and Some Females) - Spraying territories

...what your bird is trying to communicate to you? All birds communicate with a combination of body language and calls. This can very widely from species to species. Below is a general guideline to follow. It is intended to be a starting point and if you watch your bird closely, they will teach you their own language.

Flared Tail, Eyes Dilating (Amazons & Greys) - Leave me alone, aggression
Biting - Can be trying to move mate (bonded person) out of perceived danger, fear and attention
Calling Morning and Evening (Cockatoos and Macaws) - Calling to the flock, finding family and friends.
Flapping Wings - Happy, showing off, excited
Screeching and Flapping Wings - Warning
Happy Talk or Chattering - Happy or contented
Singing (Canaries) - Attracting a mate
Eye Dilation - Excited, interested

...what your rabbit is trying to communicate to you? Rabbits and other small animals communicate mostly with body language. This information is intended to help you recognize this language so you can learn to understand what he or she is trying to tell you.

Hind leg standing - getting a better look
Stop and drop - "Flattening" is a sign of being very scared and trying to conceal themselves
Rubbing chin - marking territory
Digging - in the wild, their instinct is to build dens
Ear Shaking - rabbits show their dislike of tastes or smells by shaking their head
Gnawing - this is natural instinct to file down overgrown teeth
Kicking - this is a rabbits defense mechanism
Licking - Your know you are loved when your rabbit licks you
Squatting - This is a sign of contentment and relaxation

... what your horse is trying to communicate to you? Horses use a lot of body language and a little vocalizations. The following are basic messages you can look for but we suggest you observe your horse closely to learn his individual language.

Ear Flattening - A sign that your horse is mad and may bite or kick
Ear Twitching - Listening and nervous or excited
Ears Pricked Forward - Listening intently, interested
Donkey Eared - Relaxed or sleeping
Feet Stamping - Impatient, excited (or fly problem)
Head Bobbing - Give me some! or let me go
Head Rubbing - Marking territory, playing and itching
Lipping - kisses
Tail Swishing - Impatient, irritated