Understanding Pet Body Language: What Your Pet Is Really Saying

Published on January 23, 2026 • 5 min read

Animals “talk” — just not in words.

Learning to read your pet’s signals helps prevent stress, misunderstandings, and even accidents.

Common signs to look for:

  1. Relaxed pet: loose body, slow tail wag (dog), upright ears, normal breathing.


  1. Stressed pet: tucked tail, flattened ears, dilated pupils, trembling, yawning, or licking lips excessively.


  1. Happy pet: playful jumps, gentle eye contact, relaxed mouth, slow blinking (in cats).


Pro tip:

Every pet is unique. Take time to notice what “normal” looks like for yours, so you can quickly tell when something’s off.

Understanding your pet’s language is the foundation of every strong bond — for both Pet Parents and Pet Friends.