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If you are a new cat or kitten owner, your new pet's behavior can often be puzzling. Whether you have never owned a cat before, or are just used to dogs, it is time to learn some things about your new feline so you can understand cat behaviors. A cat's body language is his or her form of communication with you.

First, let's take a look at the tail. If you take a look at what your kitty's tail is doing, you can often discover his or her mood. If the tail is relaxed and unmoving, kitty is sleepy or content. If the tail is stiff and high up in the air, kitty is happy and interested in interacting with you. The tail is key to cat psychology.

Beware of your cat's tail! By slapping his tail back and forth he shows you that he's done playing for now. You can tell just how annoyed he is feeling by how much of the length of the tail he's twitching as well as how fast the tail is moving. Tail twitches let you know that your kitty is ready for some space and time by himself. He gives you fair warning before getting more aggressive as long as you know how to "read" his tail.

Now let's examine the general stance of your cat. When your cat is curled up in a ball with a paw over their face, they are sleeping soundly and best left alone. But when you cat is more relaxed and stretched across the floor it could be signaling time to play. Some cat problems can come from not being sensitive to these cues the cat is giving through their body posture about when to play and when to rest.

Flipping onto their backs when wanting to play or interact is a typical example of cat behaviors. Use caution when your cat is in this position, as their bellies are highly sensitive and their response may be reflexive, and as a result you may get accidentally scratched. The wiser choice at that point would be to play and interact with toys, rather than hands.

Watch your cat's posture and tail position as you pet or cuddle him or her. Cats differ from most dogs in that cats often change their minds about wanting to be petted while you are in the act of petting. The cat's posture and tail position often signals this transition. Pressing away with their paws, or a flicking tail, is a good indication the cat is feeling uncomfortable being held. In this way, most cats provide ample warning prior to attacking or lashing out. If you respect your cat's wishes, a strong bond will develop over time. The cat will become more trusting, and you'll develop a wonderful relationship.

Understanding cat psychology is critical to preventing cat problems. Most cat behaviors communicate their mood. The tail tells a lot about the cat's mood. Limp and quiet is a calm cat, upright and straight is alert and interested and swishing back and forth shows agitation and is a warning. A stretched out cat is relaxed and may be playful while a tightly curled one just wants to sleep and be left alone. Cats can change mood suddenly even while being petted, so be alert to changes. Be aware of body signals and responding appropriately makes for a happier relationship with your cat.