Research overview: ear and body posture signalling in cats

Cats convey much of their emotional state through body posture, ear position and tail movements, and this overview surveys how these visual signals are described and interpreted. It covers the spectrum from relaxed, confident postures to the crouched, flattened-ear, piloerect displays of fear and aggression, and how combinations of features indicate offensive versus defensive states. The survey examines efforts to standardize posture descriptions for welfare assessment and behaviour research, and the value of reading whole-body signals rather than isolated cues. It discusses how owners and professionals can use posture to anticipate aggression, recognize fear and gauge comfort, and how misreading these signals contributes to bites and stress. The result is a structured account of the rich postural channel through which cats communicate arousal and intent.