When a cat feels good, its ears are erect and forward pointing, and its whiskers are relaxed. At rest on a familiar lap, it may purr and knead its paws, opening and closing them just as it did against its mother’s breast when it was suckling. If its whiskers bristle forwards, ears turn back, pupils narrow to slits, and fur, particularly along the spine and tail, stands on end, the cat is spoiling for a fight.
Originally posted here:
Body Language in Cats