Does a wagging tail always mean a dog is happy?

Not necessarily. While a loose, sweeping wag usually indicates joy, a stiff, fast "vibrating" wag can signify high arousal or even frustration. It is important to look at the rest of the body; if the dog is stiff and staring, that wag might be a warning rather than a welcome. Learn more in Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

Why does my cat wag its tail like a dog?

In the feline world, a swishing or thumping tail usually means the opposite of a dog's happy wag. It typically indicates annoyance, overstimulation, or indecision. If a cat starts flicking its tail during a patting session, it is often a sign they have had enough and need some space.

What does it mean when a dog yawns or licks their lips?

Outside of naptime or mealtime, these are often "displacement behaviours." Dogs use yawning and lip licking to self-soothe when they are feeling anxious or pressured. If a dog does this while being hugged or approached by a stranger, they are politely asking for the interaction to stop.

Is it okay to pet a cat when their ears are pinned back?

It is best to avoid it. Flattened or "airplane ears" are a clear sign of fear or aggression in cats. Reaching toward a cat in this state may result in a defensive scratch or bite. It is better to retreat and let the cat come to you when they feel relaxed.

Why do dogs show the whites of their eyes?

Often referred to as "whale eye," this happens when a dog is tensely tracking something they perceive as a threat without moving their head. It is a common sign of anxiety or guarding behaviour and indicates the dog is feeling very uncomfortable with the current situation.

Last Updated: 18/02/2026

How to Read Cat and Dog Body Language

Our pets speak volumes without saying a word. From wagging tails to flattened ears, learn how to interpret cat and dog body language to ensure your furry friend feels safe, happy, and understood. Expert tips for a harmonious, bite-free household.

Author: Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM

Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read

While pets cannot speak, they are constant communicators. They use their tails, ears, eyes, and posture to signal exactly how they are feeling. Deciphering these subtle cues is the secret to a deeper bond and a much safer home environment. By learning to "speak" pet, potential conflicts or stressful situations can be identified before they escalate into scratches or bites.

For species-specific information, read through:

Signs of a happy and relaxed pet

Relaxed dogs have a generally soft and loose body posture, they hold no tension and appear at ease. Their mouths are often open and they sometimes even appear to be smiling!

Ear position varies, especially based on breed but generally they are in a neutral or forward position. The tail can be relaxed, gently wagging or wagging enthusiastically.

They may be laying down where they may have a curved posture or if extremely relaxed they may even be on their backs with their belly showing. The eyes are soft and bright or may be blinking slowly.

Happy and relaxed dogs often enjoy being petted. They don't recoil when being touched, there's no tension in their body and sometimes they'll even nudge you to keep the pats coming!

animation of dog rolling on back on grass

Relaxed dogs have a generally soft and loose body posture, they hold no tension and appear at ease. Their mouths are often open and they sometimes even appear to be smiling!

Ear position varies, especially based on breed but generally they are in a neutral or forward position. The tail can be relaxed, gently wagging or wagging enthusiastically.

Identifying stress and anxiety

When your dog is stressed there are four main responses you might see, they are referred to as the four F's: Fight, Flight, Fidget or Freeze.

Fight: The dog may show aggression to help eliminate the threat
Flight: The dog may try to hide or escape the situation
Fidget: The dog may show displacement behaviours such as lip licking and yawning
Freeze: dog may be so frightened they remain perfectly still

It's important to note that while every dog has the potential for aggression and some show it more willingly than others, aggression is frequently used as a last resort when their warning signs have gone unnoticed or they have not been removed or been able to remove themselves from a stressful situation. So picking up when your dog is anxious or stressed is probably one of the more important skills to have as it can really help to avoid dangerous situations.

Dogs who are anxious appear very tense. Their ears are usually pulled back close to their head, the facial muscles are rigid and the head may be lowered or turned away so as to not look directly at the perceived threat. You may also note the dog giving a "whale eye". This is when the eyes are fixed on a person or object but the whites of the eyes (sclera) are exposed.

They may be standing rigid, with their tail between their legs and they may have one paw lifted. More often than not they will try to reduce their size by crouching or even laying down on their backs. As mentioned earlier, very relaxed dogs can also roll onto their backs but the key difference here is that there likely won't be any tail wags and the body/facial expressions will appear tense rather than soft. Some anxious dogs may even urinate while on their backs.

Displacement behaviours are also common when your dog is anxious or stressed. These are behaviours that are normal but out of context. Common displacement behaviours include itching, yawning, lip licking, sniffing or shaking off as if they were wet. These behaviours are displayed when your pooch has conflicting emotions and is attempting to diffuse stress or uncertainty. Dogs that are highly stressed can pant, pace and tremble.

After reading these guidelines you may have noticed your pet is displaying signs of fear or anxiety. We have a handy article on How to calm an anxious pet which is full of helpful tips and advice. We also stock a large range of calming aids and supplements.

Recognising defensive or aggressive cues

Aggression in dogs is complex. It can be shown when your dog is fearful, in pain or unwell, when resource guarding or being territorial. Whatever the underlying cause it's crucial to be able to identify when a dog is showing signs of aggression as aggressive dogs can be a danger to themselves and others.

As highlighted earlier, aggression is often preceded by signs of stress or anxiety so these early warning signs are crucial to prevent or predict the possible escalation to aggression.

Aggressive or defensive dogs are very tense. They may be standing tall and stiff with a rigid, high tail that may be slightly wagging or their weight may be shifted back as if ready to lunge. The hair on their neck and back (hackles) may be raised. Their pupils can be wide (dilated) and their stare fixated. They may be snarling (showing their teeth), growling or barking. The ears can be either erect and listening carefully or pulled back.

Showing aggression is a dog's way of asking for space. If the dog can't escape the perceived threat or situation they will act by lunging, snapping and biting.

While some forms of aggression such as territorial aggression may be considered part of the range of normal dog behaviours (sometimes it's even encouraged in the case of guard dogs), it goes without saying aggression can be a dangerous situation. If you think your dog may have issues with aggression it's important to receive professional help. You can seek help from a veterinary behaviourist who has extensive additional education in animal behaviour. You can view a list of veterinarians with further qualifications in behaviour here.

Golden rules for a safe household

Always supervise children and pets!

Ensure pets are undisturbed when they are:

Eating or chewing
Sleeping
Resting on their bed or kennel
Toileting
Unwell or injured

Discourage people, especially children from:

Teasing pets
Rough play
Hurting or handling them inappropriately ie pulling tail, squeezing
Handling pets around the neck
Straddling or "riding" pets

FAQs

Understanding a pet’s non-verbal communication is one of the greatest gifts a pet parent can provide. By paying attention to the whole body - not just a wagging tail - it becomes easier to provide the support and space they need. A pet that feels understood is a pet that feels safe, leading to a lifetime of trust together.

References

Landsberg G 2016, The four F's of stress in pets, DVM360, accessed 6 June 2023, https://www.dvm360.com/view/four-fs-stress-pets
Lowry S 2022, How to speak dog by understanding canine body language, Outward hound, accessed 6 june 2023, https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/pet-parenting/how-to-read-dog-body-language
RSPCA UK 2023, Understanding dog behaviour, accessed 6 June 2023, https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/behaviour/understanding
Victorian Government, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 2015, We are family - Responsible pet ownership education program, Victoria.
Alison Gerken 2023, How to read a cat's body language,, DVM360, Pet MD, accessed 13 July 2023, https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-body-language
Alison Gerken 2020, How to read your cat's tail language,, Pet MD, accessed 13 July 2023, https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/evr_ct_what-does-it-mean-when-a-cat-wags-tail
Purina 2023, Why do cats wag their tails?, Nestle, accessed 13 July 2023, https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/why-do-cats-wag-their-tails#:~:text=Cats%20may%20wag%20their%20tail,to%20how%20they're%20feeling.
Ro Delrose 2019,Cat petting 101: Avoid overstimulation,Feline Fab, accessed 13 July 2023, https://imfelinefab.com/behavior/2019/4/18/the-right-way-to-pet-your-cats
Susan Krebsbach 2023, Cat Body Language: signs of Feline Aggression Towards Humans,Preventive vet, accessed 13 July 2023, https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/cat-body-language-signs-of-aggression

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History

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Wed 18 Feb 2026

Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)

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About the Author

Dr Josepha Cox BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM

Author, BBiomedSc (Hons) DVM

Dr Josepha graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2015 and has spent her time in small animal practice in Melbourne. She has a special interest in diagnostic imaging, nutrition and geriatric medicine. She is currently completing further study in animal nutrition and her favourite part of being a vet is helping senior animals to live happily and comfortably into their twilight years.