What Are You Smiling About?

Welcome to Sunday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll talk about feline facial expressions and explain some common ways cats express their feelings—particularly feelings of happiness.
 
And read to the end to learn about our Cause of the Month: Peachy, a 3-month old kitten in desperate need of veterinary care after being thrown from a car. 

Cats Usually Don’t Smile Because They’re Happy.

Not every smile is genuine but, most of the time, people smile to express pleasure or as a sign of friendliness. When a cat makes a similar expression—lips pulled back with their teeth on display—it’s more likely a sign of defensiveness. Sometimes cats will also make an open-mouth “smile” when they’re processing an unfamiliar scent.

• Slow Blink - A narrow-eyed blink might be a sign of suspicion in humans, but it’s the opposite for cats—a slow blink means they’re feeling relaxed and safe.
  
  
• Head Butt - Cats like to mark their caregivers with scent from their facial glands, so if your cat gently head butts you it’s a good thing.
  
  
• Purring - Though cats will sometimes purr when they’re frightened or in pain, a purring cat is generally a contented one.
  
  
• Making Biscuits - Kneading or making biscuits is something a cat usually only does when they’re feeling happy and relaxed.
  
  
• Chirping - Some cats will vocalize when they’re happy, often making a chirp or light-hearted meow (my cat, Munchkin, does this!).
  
  
• Upright Tail - When your cat carries their tail straight, pointed right up into the air, it’s usually a sign that they’re in a good mood.

• The Best Cat Food
• The Best Cat Litter
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes
• The Best Cat Insurance

A smile isn’t always an indication of happiness in cats, but it’s not necessarily a warning sign, either. In some cats, the corners of their mouth naturally turn up when at rest.

Spending time with your cat is the best way to get to know their personality and to understand their unique style of communication. If you want to see more slow blinks and biscuit-making behavior, there’s plenty you can do.

Check below for some products to help you make your cat happy.

Your Cat Will Get a Kick Out of This Toy.

This pickle-shaped plush toy does it all. It’s perfect for stalking, pouncing, batting, and tossing. With its multi-texture design, it even provides dental benefits if your cat’s a chewer.

My cat, Biscuit, absolutely loves her Crunchy Pickle Kicker toy. It’s the perfect size for her to latch on with her front paws and kick at with her back feet. Every time I hear a distant crinkle, I know she’s going at it.

Bring Out Your Cat’s Wild Side With Cat Grass.

When I take my cats out on their leashes, the first thing they do is find a nice patch of grass to chomp on. I don’t know why it makes them happy, but it does.

If your cat can’t resist a juicy blade of grass, this cat grass growing kit might be just what you need. It includes everything you need to grow a little patch of cat grass at home. Just add water and sunlight!

• Catstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
• Frisco Natural Cat Grass Growing Kit

Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support!

CATS.COM CAUSE OF THE MONTH: PEACHY

With kitten season in full swing, there’s no shortage of adoptable kittens ready and waiting in shelters around the country. But adoption isn’t an easy option for kittens like our Cause of the Month, Peachy, who needs some TLC before she’ll be ready for placement.

Peachy’s life got off to a rough start when her owner abandoned her in one of the worst ways imaginable—by throwing her out of the car. Fortunately, a local rescue took her in, but Peachy is left dealing with a painful neck injury. The worst part is that the vet says she’s too young to have the surgery she needs to make a full recovery.

This month, we’re trying to raise $2,000 to help get Peachy an MRI to assess the extent of her injuries and to pay for the physical therapy she needs to grow strong enough for surgery.

Peachy is a fighter and she deserves a second chance. Donate here to help her out.

A Sneak Peek At Tuesday’s mailer.

How often do you take a peek into your cat’s ears? If you can’t remember the last time, maybe it’s time to check. In Tuesday’s mailer, we’ll talk about how to distinguish between a healthy amount of earwax and a problem like ear mites.