Do Cats Smile? Here Are 10 Signs Of Truly Happy Cats

Cats possess the facial muscles needed to make expressions that resemble a smile. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they're happy. What you're likely seeing is the Flehmen Response, where a cat opens its mouth and bares its teeth after sniffing something intriguing. This reaction is triggered by certain pheromone-rich smells, directing scent particles to the roof of the mouth for analysis by the Jacobson's organ. Other animals, such as horses and goats, also exhibit this behavior.

Cats don't smile with their mouths to show happiness—instead, they use their eyes! To determine if your cat is happy, watch for the subtle "slow blink." When your cat makes eye contact, closes its eyes slowly, then opens them again, it's akin to a warm smile. In the wild, felines maintain eye contact only when they feel safe. By doing this with you, they're demonstrating their love and trust.

Research indicates that when humans slow-blink to "smile" at cats, the cats understand the gesture. You can try this at home while relaxing with your feline friend. Relax your eyes and make eye contact with your cat, then slowly lower your eyelids. When you lift them again, your cat might respond in kind. Regularly exchanging slow blinks can strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Cats communicate their feelings through the position of their tails. A tail gently curled at the top in a question mark shape indicates a happy cat. If your cat walks by you with its tail straight up, it's offering a friendly greeting. Cats only raise their tails around those they trust the most, so when your cat is high-tailing it around you, take it as a compliment.

A content cat spends a significant amount of time grooming itself. Sometimes, your cat may even attempt to groom you. If your kitty is always looking sharp, it's a good sign they're feeling great. On the flip side, poor grooming habits can be a clear indicator of an unhappy cat and might signal illness or injury.

While it's well-known that kittens are playful, adult cats also enjoy joining in the fun when given the chance. Using toys like feather dusters, jingle balls, fishing pole toys, or even a simple string can bring out your cat's playful side. An unhappy cat may lack the energy or interest to engage in play, so keep an eye out for a cat that seems listless or disinterested in activities they once enjoyed.

When your cat bumps or rubs its head against you, it's a clear sign of love and marking you as their territory. Cats only engage in head bunting with those they feel a strong connection to. They have scent glands around their ears that release an odor, signaling to other cats that you belong to them. If you notice your cat happily bumping their head against everything in their path, it means they're feeling like royalty in their domain.

A contented cat will often "knead" a soft surface, including their favorite human, before settling down for a nap. This up-and-down paw movement, also known as "making biscuits," harkens back to kittenhood when they kneaded their mother's belly to stimulate milk flow. If your adult cat still kneads, it's a strong indication that they feel as safe and happy as they did when they were with their littermates.