The ways of cats can be mysterious, especially if you're new to them. But even lifelong cat lovers can learn something new from author/illustrator Lili Chin's book "Kitty Language" (kittylanguagebook.com), an illustrated guide to understanding cat body language, behavior and vocalizations.
Playful illustrations and easy-to-read text take readers on a tour of the feline body — eyes, ears, whiskers, tail, expression — and explain what those flicks, twitches, pupil changes, postures and more are saying about a cat's mood, feelings and desires.
Chin became interested in animal behavior and training when she adopted a Boston terrier, Boogie, in 2007. Learning to understand the small, subtle signals of stress that preceded reactive behaviors was an eye-opener, and she began drawing his body language to help her understand what he was communicating.
"The illustrations went viral," she says. "I started working with dog behaviorists and trainers to create dog body language charts to educate the public."
That led to the publication of her first book, "Doggie Language." It included illustrations of different breeds, since canine body language can vary depending on the presence or absence of a tail or whether ears prick up or hang down.
After Boogie died in 2020, Chin acquired two cats, Mambo and Shimmy. Not familiar with cats at the time, she took a deep dive into what was known about feline behavior to ensure that she could recognize if they were happy and well.
"I did a lot of research. I spoke to a lot of cat experts and read books and was obsessed with watching my cats and drawing them. And then it felt like it was a good time to do a cat body language book."
Here's just some of what I learned from Chin's book: When cats quickly lick their lip or nose and then swallow, it suggests that they may be feeling uneasy or concerned.