Are they angry...? Are they on guard? When a cat's ears are down, they're called "squid ears"! I'm sure there are some people out there who think, "A cat, but a squid!?" By the way, raw squid is poisonous to cats, so please never feed it to them!! If you're wondering why, just ask Professor Google! Well, let's take a look at what squid ears are today!
What are squid ears?
Squid ears are ears that are taut, low, and facing outwards. They are so named because when viewed from the front, the silhouette of the ears resembles a squid resting on a chopping board. However, there is no clear definition of what squid ears are, and they can also be called squid ears even when the ears are pointing upwards. Squid ears give a slightly humorous impression, but they also indicate an unusual tension that is clearly different from normal.
Situations where you can see squid ears
When do cats show squid ears? Typical situations include when they get into a fight with another cat, when they spot a strange cat through the window, when they can't get their food, when they're interrupted while playing, or when they're forced to be held even though they don't want to. Don't worry, squid ears don't mean that something special is wrong with your cat's body. Although they have a strange name, squid ears are a common sight for cat owners!
Understanding your cat's feelings through its squid ears
Just as humans express anger and joy through their facial expressions, cats also express their emotions through their facial expressions. Their ears are one of the parts that create their facial expressions. While there is no saying that "the ears speak louder than the mouth," cats' ears can reveal a variety of emotions, including vigilance, fear, dissatisfaction, and irritation!
Squid ears indicate: 1. Vigilance
When cats are on guard, they turn their ears outward to concentrate. This is to pick up sounds that are even slightly farther away. So when do they become alert and develop squid ears? When they encounter an external enemy, or when they sense the presence of an external enemy. Cats are territorial animals, and they hate it when other cats invade their territory. Also, dogs that are larger than them are tantamount to natural enemies, so they may develop squid ears when they see a dog. If you see squid ears, try looking around to see if there are any other cats or dogs walking around nearby!
Emotions expressed by squid ears 2: Fear
A cat's ears are a direct expression of its emotions, and the more fearful or anxious it feels, the lower it will fold. If its ears are pointing to the side, it is still maintaining its strong presence despite feeling scared, but if they fold backwards, it is clear that it is becoming increasingly weak-willed and its fear is reaching its peak. At this time, the pupils change along with the ears, and the more fearful it feels, the larger the pupils will dilate, so observe closely!
Squid ears represent feelings 3: dissatisfaction and irritation
Squid ears are not the shape you see when your cat is in a good mood, but rather a sign of some kind of frustration or irritation that is building up and making it grumpy. For example, when your cat is hungry but not getting any food, when your cat wants to be pampered but no one pays attention to it, or when their toy that they were having fun playing with is taken away, these are the times when their ears will show their frustration or irritation. When this happens, their eyes and cheeks will lift up along with their ears, so pay attention to their entire facial expression!
If your cat has its ears down, leave it alone
Because squid ears look a little humorous, it's easy to be tempted to touch them if you don't understand their meaning. However, they also express feelings of caution, fear, dissatisfaction, and irritation, and indicate that your cat is in a bad mood. If you carelessly touch a cat at a time like this, even a friendly cat will run away or punch you. A strong-willed cat or one that isn't very friendly may hiss intimidatingly, meaning "don't come near me, I'm scared!" I understand that you might find them cute and want to touch them, but you should hold back and leave them alone without approaching them unnecessarily. Don't worry, over time, your cat's emotions will calm down, it will regain its composure, and it will let you touch it as usual.
summary
Squid ears are ears that are low and point outward, and can indicate feelings such as vigilance, fear, dissatisfaction, and irritation, and are a sign of displeasure. Cats show squid ears for a variety of reasons, including when they are fighting with other cats, when they are not given food, when they are interrupted while playing, or when they are being forcibly held. Learn how your cat feels from the shape of their ears and build a relationship of trust!
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