Understanding Animal Communication

Have you ever wondered how our companion animals perceive their lives among us? Imagine you were the pet, and they were the masters. Imagine trying to understand your master's complex communication system. Imagine living by a rigid set of rules, only to be admonished for doing things completely normal to you. You are a social animal, but imagine being left alone for hours every day.

Our beloved pets have a capacity to sense and feel. They have intricate ways of communicating not only among themselves, but also with their humans. If we are responsible owners who care about the well-being of our pets, we must learn to understand how they communicate and accept them for who they are.

Canine Conduct

To most people, a dog wagging its tail means it is happy and friendly. Not always true. Tail wagging indicates that the dog is experiencing some form of emotion; it will still wag its tail even when the hair on its back is standing on end. This wagging also transmits the scent from its anal glands, possibly indicating fear, anger or submission. An aggressive, confident animal will demonstrate a stiff, short wag with its tail fully upraised, where a submissive one will have its tail wagging lower to the ground.

Barking often annoys people. But barking is equivalent to how we express our concern or need for something. In effect, it is a form of canine alarm that simply means your dog is alert to something out of the ordinary and is therefore calling for assistance. If the object is of no threat, a friendly greeting will take place; if the object represents danger to him or a member of his pack (human or otherwise), it could warrant an outright attack.

Feline Behaviour

For centuries, cats have lived among humans and adapted to many of our ways. Whenever cats display unpleasant behaviour, they are most likely trying to communicate their displeasure to us. Aside from a medical problem, a cat urinating outside its litter box could simply be telling you to move its litter box or find a type of litter it likes.

Cats use their ears (controlled by more than 20 muscles!) to express themselves. A relaxed cat will sit with its ears facing forward. An apprehensive cat will often twitch its ears, and a defensive cat will flatten them completely. It is wise to understand these simple messages as cats are very sensitive creatures who prefer to be the ones seeking your attention.

Cats greet each other by rubbing face-to-face against one another. When a cat rubs against your legs, it is marking you with its scent and making you a safe and familiar entity. Before long, you'll hear a soothing purr, which cats learn as kittens from their mothers as a sign of security and happiness. No wonder most people find themselves lulled to contentment while a cat peacefully sleeps purring in their lap.

Animals bring us a sense of well-being and security, thus enriching our lives in many wonderful ways. By learning their body language and the little messages they send us, we learn to love them for who they really are.

Suggested Reading

• The Cat Whisperer by Claire Bessant, Blake Publishing, 2002.
• New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier with Norma Eckroate, Penguin Group, 1990.
• A Dog and a Dolphin by Karen Pryor, Sunshine Books.
• Understanding Your Dog by Michael Fox, St. Martin's Press, 1992.