#4. The Day Chu Gave Us the Silent Treatment
A Look into Cat Emotions (Yes, They Get Moody Too)
Did you know that cats are actually pretty expressive—emotionally?
Yesterday morning, our cat Chu seemed a little… off.
Her eyes, posture, even her tail all felt different from the usual.
At first, I thought it was just me overthinking,
but then my husband said,
“I think Chu’s mad at us.”
Apparently, he tried to give her their usual morning eye kiss,
but Chu turned her head away and stared off into the distance.
No eye contact. Full-on cold shoulder.
Normally, that sweet eye-to-eye moment is a morning ritual.
But that day? Denied. 😢
🕵️♀️ It All Started Before Sunrise…
To be fair, Chu did try really hard to wake me up for breakfast.
- Licking my face
- Clanging the blinds
- Walking back and forth with dramatic flair
She gave it her all.
And… I ignored her and kept sleeping.
(Yes, I feel terrible. 😂)
So breakfast was served much later than usual,
and I’m guessing that was the reason she felt a little… betrayed.
Then again, she always has dry food available 24/7.
So why the drama?
Truly, I’ll never fully understand this little creature. 😅
😿 The “I’m Not Mad, Just Disappointed” Vibe
- She didn’t run at the sound of the can opening
- Tail stayed down
- Watched from a distance, no sparkle in her step
- No eye contact—just passive side-glancing
Usually, even half-asleep, she bolts into the kitchen when she hears the can open.
But that day?
She took her time.
You know that “fine, I GUESS I’ll come” kind of vibe?
Yeah. That.
🍗 But Chicken Fixes Everything
After we all had breakfast (finally),
my husband decided to offer peace by opening her favorite chicken treat.
As soon as she heard the sound of the bag tearing—
BOOM. She zoomed over, sat beside the sofa, and devoured it like nothing happened.
And honestly? Her mood totally shifted.
So simple… so predictable 🤣
Like when you’re mad but someone hands you dessert, and suddenly life feels okay again.
So yes, a piece of chicken brought peace back into our home.
(Also, highly recommend this treat (INABA Chicken Fillet). It’s full chicken fillet, and I hand-feed it in pieces for maximum bonding.
It’s probably not what the brand intended, but hey, it works. 😂)
🙀 Bonus: Cats Always Warn Before the Paw Comes
One thing I’ve learned:
Cats don’t just swat you out of nowhere.
They give warning signs.
The problem is…
We humans are terrible at picking up the signs—especially new cat parents.
I watched some old videos from when I first met Chu.
She was giving clear “leave me alone” vibes,
but I just kept petting her like,
“Awwww you’re so soft—don’t you love cuddles?”
And then…
SMACK.
Message received.
🐾 Common “Back Off” Signals from Cats
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ears pinned back (Mazinger Z-style) | Annoyed, stressed, not in the mood |
| Tail tip twitching | Irritated |
| Body stiffens, avoids eye contact | Needs space |
| Sudden grooming | Stress relief, avoidance |
| Gentle paw push | “Please stop” |
| Full-on paw smack 💥 | You didn’t listen |
🧡 What Can We Do as Humans?
- Watch their body language closely (ears, tail, eyes)
- Back off at the first sign of discomfort
- Let them come to you
- No forced hugs or surprise head pets, please 😅
😽 They’re Speaking—We Just Need to Learn the Language
Cats don’t speak in words,
but they speak in energy, body shifts, and subtle glances.
And if you’re really in tune,
you’ll catch these quiet little messages loud and clear.
✔️ Quick Mood Guide:
| Emotion | Behaviors |
|---|---|
| Happy | Tail up, eye kisses, gentle kneading |
| Sulky | Avoids contact, slow movements |
| Wants Attention | Licks, sits nearby, vocalizes softly |
| Uncomfortable | Ears back, tail twitching, retreats |
💬 At the End of the Day… It’s All About Reading the Room
Sometimes I ask myself,
“Is she really mad?”
Other times, I know she is. 😂
We might not always get it right,
but trying to understand—that’s what matters most.
My husband is a self-proclaimed cat communicator 🤣,
and I guess I’m still at about Cat Mom Level 3.
My “emotional radar” still fails sometimes,
but hey, I noticed something today—
so I’m calling that growth 😼✨
🐾 What About Your Cat?
Have you ever been silently ignored by your cat?
Ever had a paw smack that felt… personal?
Or made up over snacks and playtime?
Tell me about it in the comments!
We’re all just trying to decode cat language,
and it’s way more fun when we do it together 🐱💬
