How can we know a kitty is happy

Cats literally "say" they're happy. Vocal kitties tell you all about it, and engage in long drawn out conversations. Generally the higher-pitched sounds are "happy" while lower pitched can have a bit of frustration and be more demanding. Quiet cats may express happiness with silence, and vocalizes more to express unhappiness. Confusing, yes! But that's why we love our enigmatic felines! While purrs aren't always happy, for the most part they can be an indication of feline contentment or even bliss. Kitty chortles and trills-that "prrrrupttt!" sound many cats make, is a very good indication of cat happiness.

Body Language: There are many eye, ear, fur, and body positions that indicate upset cat feelings, or contentment. For example, the relaxed contented cat rests with front paws tucked under, ears forward, eyelids "sleepy" perhaps at half-mast. The eye-blink in return of your stare from across the room is a happy cat gesture. Sudden dilation of the eyes indicates arousal-happiness of a full food bowl, for example, can prompt this reflex. Happy cats hold whiskers slightly forward and fur smooth with tail relaxed. A joyful cat'stail talk stands straight up with just the tip crooked in a 'howdy' greeting to people and other pets the cat considers friends.

Play: Kittens play nonstop and simply don't know any better than to be happy. Play is a terrific indication of happiness. As cats mature and progress into middle and old age, play activity diminishes. But any amount of play-from rollicking races and kitty wrestling matches, to sedate paw-patting of features (or your leg or face for attention) indicates feline happiness. Cats play with other critters (and humans) that they like and trust.

Sleep: Cats may sleep more when depressed, but their sleep location preferences can be an indication of happiness. Sleeping with other cats, and especially seeking them out, indicates happy relationships with the chosen nap-buddies. If your cat chooses you as a bed-mate, rejoice! That means kitty trust you-distrust breeds unhappiness, after all.

Grooming: Cats who feel good keep themselves well groomed. Poor grooming is a sign of unhappiness, so when your kitty looks spiffy, that's a positive indication she feels happy, too. Grooming other cats or licking the owner (as with mutual sleeping) also shows trust and a positive relationship. Cats happy with each other groom one another. However, since kitties are individuals, not all cats feel the urge to groom others.

Eating: Happy cats have healthy appetites. Oh, they may buffalo you and train owners into providing special treats or food. But in many ways, this sort of manipulation can become a game that falls under the "play" category.

Cat Sex

One of the most frequently asked questions is "How can I tell the sex of a cat?"

In whole cats, the testicles are readily evident in male cats, as well as a broadened jowl. However, male neutered cats' testicles may not be so easily seen.

Punctuation Marks are a Clue to Cats' Sex

As a rule of thumb, breeders often us punctuation marks to identify the sex of younger cats or neutered cats:

• Female Cats - Exclamation Point
  If you look at a female cat's genital area, it will look like an upside down exclamation point (!)
, with the long slit of the vaginal area below the anus.
• Male Cats - Colon
  The male cat has a narrower space between the anus and the penis, with the testicles in the middle.

Spayed female cats will still show the upside down "!", but if you adopted her as an adult, xrays may be needed to confirm she has been spayed. Most neutered male cats will still show the vestigial remnants of a testicle sac, and the anus and penis will still be relatively close together.

Catnip

How Catnip Affects Cats

Rather than a simple smell, the chemical in catnip resembles sedative components also found in the valerian plant, which may be used in natural therapies to calm pets and people. Catnip also may be similar to one of the substances found in tomcat urine—yucky to you, but a lovely smell to the cat! In fact, this pheromone in urine often triggers the same sort of behavioral reaction in cats as exposure to catnip.

These types of chemicals, once inhaled, enter the cat's highly specialized scenting organ through the roof of the mouth. The vomeronasal or Jacobson's organs sit between the hard palate of the mouth and the septum of the nose, and connect to the mouth via tiny conduits directly behind the cat’s upper incisor teeth. You may see kitty perform an odd facial grimace (flehmen) with lips curled back and mouth open when employing this organ.

The Jacobson’s organs are linked to the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that acts like a switchboard to direct information to higher centers. This part of the brain integrates taste and smell, motivates appetite, and triggers a variety of behaviors.