Non-verbal forms of communication: pet version
I’ve seen a lot of posts about “littles non-verbal forms of communication” and I thought to myself… most pets are non-verbal, but a lot of people (mainly inexperienced owners) don’t know what to do with a pet that’s being non-verbal. So here is a quick post explaining some (not all) forms of non-verbal ways a pet (mostly canine) communicates and what it means.
murr/purr/low moan: “I am content and comfortable”
growl: “I am feeling threatened/scared”
yip/mew: “I want attention/I want to play”
whine: “Something is wrong”
snarl: “I am very angry/get away from me”
bark: “I want attention/I am ready for –”
questioning murr: “I am confused/I do not know what to do”
howl: “I want my presence to be known/I want my pack”
roar: “I am feeling – and cannot express my emotions properly”
baying: “I am in pursuit of my prey/toy”
whimper: “I do not like the situation I am in/how I am being spoken to”
fake sneeze: “I want your attention back”
snort: “I have an attitude”
headbutt: “I want attention/pet me/I’m giving you affection”
rolling on back/exposing belly: “I feel safe around you”
curled up: “I am feeling insecure/anxious”
pawing at: “I want attention”
sitting and staring at: “I want something”
lowering self to floor, butt up: “Let’s play”
playful stance: “I want to play”
lowering self, curled up slightly: “I feel threatened/get away from me”
teeth bared: “I feel threatened/I am angry”
flopping over: “I am content”
shaking off: “I am trying to relax/settle down”
curling up beside someone while touching them: “I want physical contact”
nudging under someone’s hand: “Pet me”
swatting at: “Don’t touch me/I don’t want –”
[ * This is just a quick post, these are not all of the sounds a non-verbal will make and this is not the case for every single pet; this is more of a rough guideline. ]
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