It is now well known that cats have emotions – and also show them.
But can they also express sadness or pain through tears?
Studies consistently show that cats have a variety of emotions.
And being able to show them clearly, be it to the owners or to other animals and people.
As a rule, we can judge very well whether the house cat is afraid, angry or even sad.
Occasionally tears can even be seen: but do they mean the same thing in cats as they do in humans?
Understanding Cat Language: 10 Signs Your Cat Loves You
1st sign: If cats feel at home in the vicinity of their human, they usually demand extensive cuddles.
(Iconic image) © Westend61/Imago
2nd sign: If a cat purrs while cuddling, this is a clear "token of love".
(symbol photo) © Westend61/Imago
3rd Sign: When your cat rubs its legs, it releases certain scents, marking you as a beloved member of the family.
(Iconic image) © Ardea/Imago
4th sign: Velvet paws express their love with a “cat kiss”.
They often do this when you approach their face with your forehead.
(Iconic image) © Westend61/Imago
5th sign: Does your cat lie down on its back when you scratch it?
Then she feels safe and secure.5.
Sign: Does your cat lie on its back when it crawls?
Then she feels safe and secure.
(Icon image) © Cavan Images/Imago
6th sign: If cats alternately press their front paws on the ground, this is a clear signal of well-being.
Kicking milk is a behavior from the nursery.
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Sign: If cats alternately press their front paws on the ground, this is a clear signal of well-being.
Kicking milk is a behavior from the nursery.
(Iconic image) © Shotshop/Imago
Sign 7: Cats show deep affection when they lick your hand or arm when you pet them.
Mutual grooming is an important part of social behavior among velvet paws.
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Signs: Cats show deep affection when they lick your hand or arm when you pet them.
Mutual grooming is an important part of social behavior among velvet paws.
(Iconic image) © Imaginechina-Tuchong/Imago
Sign 8: If your cat gently nibbles your hand when petting, it's not to hurt you.
Because the "love bite" is a tender gesture.8.
Sign: If your cat gently nibbles your hand when petting, it's not to hurt you.
Because the "love bite" is a tender gesture.
(Iconic image) © Westend61/Imago
9th sign: Does your cat love to play with you?
Congratulations!
Then you are a beloved playmate.9.
Sign: Your cat loves to play with you?
Congratulations!
Then you are a beloved playmate.
(Iconic image) © Westend61/Imago
Sign 10: When your cat falls asleep on your lap, it shows complete trust in you.
More love is not possible.10.
Sign: If your cat falls asleep on your lap, it shows complete trust in you.
More love is not possible.
(Iconic image) © Westend61/Imago
Can cats really cry?
People cry for a variety of reasons: joy and sadness, pain and despair, anger or happiness.
Strong emotions make the tears roll down.
Since cats also show strong emotions, they should be able to cry too – right?
Eye problems in pedigree cats
Unfortunately, watery eyes are particularly common in certain pedigree cats.
Persian cats, for example, are particularly often affected.
Due to the short nose, your tear duct is no longer optimally positioned or is blocked, so that the tear fluid can drain through your nose.
This then has to be done through the eye.
This problem, caused by breeding, can rarely be treated.
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Cats can cry because they have tear ducts.
But they will never do it for emotional reasons.
Only when something is wrong with the eye does it water.
Then it is up to the person who has to find out the cause and remedy the situation.
This can be difficult if onions are not being cut in the direct vicinity of the cat.
If a cat's eyes water, this is a protective function
If it looks as if the cat is crying, there could be various reasons behind it:
foreign body in the eye
Dry eyes
inflammation
Eyelid curling/eyelid irritation
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Cat owners can gently clean their pet's eyes with a cotton swab or pad and lukewarm water.
If there is no improvement, the vet should be consulted.
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© Anka Agency International/Imago
Keepers should now look at the color of the tears: if everything is clear and free of streaks and the cat is not in pain, you can wait a day or two to see if it gets better on its own.
However, if the tears are yellowish-brown, the eyes are sticky or reddened, or purulent streaks are visible, these are often signs of something serious.
In this case, a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible.
You can find even more exciting animal topics in the free newsletter from Landtiere.de, which you can subscribe to right here.
Recognizing sadness in cats
Although cats only cry for health reasons when they are sad, the owner usually recognizes them anyway.
The behavior of the house tiger then changes in most cases.
An open-minded, curious cat may become a shy animal.
Loud mewing or pitiful meowing, loss of appetite, aggression or general restlessness can also be signs.
But not every cat is the same.
And the emotions of cats are not always so easy to assign.
List of rubrics: © Anka Agency International/Imago