on  01/28/05  at  05:15 PM    #1

Yahoo dictionary definition: Smile; A pleasant or favorable disposition or aspect.

You can tell if a cat is smiling, using the above definition, and not; an upward turning of the mouth, by their ear position and posture.

The cat in this picture is smiling because their ears are forward, and they are sitting upright.

You can’t see in this picture, but a cat’s tail also tells you how they are feeling. A rapid swishing for when they’re uptight, and a smooth swoosh when they’re feeling good.  Of course, tail between the legs doesn’t really need to be defined.

  on  01/29/05  at  01:34 PM    #2

Interesting! So you can tell by ear position and posture if a cat’s happy or in a good mood?

  on  02/01/05  at  12:43 PM    #3

Good mood, or receptive to interaction is probably the best way to describe their mental state.

I’m no pet psychologist, but I’m sure that cats don’t process emotion on a cognitive level.

After years of caring for cats, though, you can pretty much tell when they want to hang out by their posture, and mostly, ears.

If a cat has his ears pinned back, leave them alone. Ears up, and they’re looking for a scratching.

  on  10/23/06  at  01:36 PM    #4

I don’t know about smiling, but I have defintely seen cats grin - their mouths are in approximately the same position as a human’s with the same expression.  As Tim said, their ears are typically up and facing forward, and on occasion they will also purr.

I also don’t know if cats process emotions cognitively.  I’d probably sort by content or discontent.  Content is physically expressed by smiling, purring, ears up and facing front, eyes partially closed, tail upright, whiskers out and point slightly to the front, etc.  Discontent is expressed by ears laid back along the head, tail twitching (sometimes) or lashing, tail level with the spine or lower, and of course growling, hissing and spitting (these last often connote anger).

  on  02/05/07  at  08:48 PM    #5

I dont know how similar a cats muscle structure is to that of a human but, I do believe that cats smile. I have five kittens of my own. I think you should try this, let your cat lay on your lap and pet her so that she purrs. Notice her eyes will squint, and at the same time, notice that the corners of her mouth raise, much like our own do when we smile. When a cat just closes its eyes say, to fall asleep this does not happen. Either way I know that they feel happiness, and many other emotions.

Very cute cat!

ben   on  06/09/07  at  02:09 PM    #6

i know that when a cat slowely closes its eyes like i’m sure many of you have seen, it simpy means its relaxed. but thats about all i know, haha.

  on  09/30/07  at  01:39 PM    #7

my kitten bites me all the time and scratches me...how do i calm her down, she does not even allow us to pet her:(

  on  10/08/07  at  06:01 PM    #8

Give your current cat to someone who likes cats and get yourself another one.

  on  10/09/07  at  02:12 AM    #9

mmm...thought this website was helpful. thanks for the sarcasm:)

Tori   on  12/01/07  at  08:58 PM    #10

Cats definitely smile! I can tell when my cat smiles, she closes or squints her eyes and and is very relaxed and her ears are pointed forward.  She is usually purring at the same time.
 

  on  12/03/07  at  09:30 AM    #11

To Melanie:
I reread my answer, and I’m sorry if it implied that you did not love your cat.
The very topic of this posting was whether cats smiled.  I think they do.
I have learnt that cats are just as complex as human beings and have the same personalities, quirks, medical. and psychological problems.
Your kitten, for whatever reason, is not happy.  I’m sure you give your kitten a great deal of love, affection, and care.
I owned a cat that was somewhat ferel (their natural state).  He did not like people and preferred to stay outside.  Ocassionally I left food out for him, and when I least expected it, would scram into the house and hide under the sofa.  I was astounded that whenever I was sitting still in the living room reading, he would gingerly hop onto the chair and sit in my lap - but he refused to let me touch or pet him!  When he indicated that he wanted to return outdoors, I complied.  It was not the relationship I had wanted, but it was something.
A couple of my friends found out that their respective cats were actually allergic to them or the house.  One friend found out that the cat she had adopted, had been severly neglected and therefore he distrusted humans.
Some cats are the way they are and no amount of love and affection will move them to be gentle. Some cats just don’t want to be a pet. 
Most kittens and cats are delightful.
Your kitten may need a change of venue and you need a more responsive pet.
Good luck!
A.M. Whittaker

  on  04/20/08  at  02:23 PM    #12

Cats ‘smile’ by half closing their eyes when they look at you.

  on  06/14/08  at  11:05 AM    #13

Cats ‘smile’ by half closing their eyes when they look at you.
<<<  <span class="slicetext">Garfield?  </span>

  on  06/22/08  at  10:42 PM    #14

i like cocain, crack mostly

Jasmine   on  06/23/08  at  10:22 AM    #15

I adore cats and when i go up to either one i know or a new cutie they smile at me and often roll over as if to say its tickle my stomach time!

  on  09/02/08  at  05:56 PM    #16

I think cats smile. My lil one kinda squints her eyes at me, with the corners of her mouth upturned and her chin pointing outwards/ears pointed upwards with a purr.

It is always very pleasant to see. She is a very happy soul. Bit of a daddy’s girl she’ll allow me to pick her up and she’ll drape over my shoulder quite happily for anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes without a struggle.

Having said this, I have had her with us since she was barely old enough to leave her mum.

You can always tell when a cat is happy by such body language… and the fact that she follows me everywhere lol.