Why Do Cats' Pupils Change Size? What Dilated and Slit Eyes Really Mean
Pupil size is doing two jobs at once: controlling light, and broadcasting fear, excitement, or focus. Here's the research behind both, and why cats have slit pupils at all.
A Basit K
Cats and Kittens Specialist
A Basit K is Petfinnly's Cats and Kittens Specialist, writing evidence-based cat and kitten care guides for pet owners.
The Feline Grimace Scale: How Vets Read Pain in a Cat's Face
Cats are built to hide pain, but a validated facial scoring system, developed at the University of Montreal, can catch it without ever touching the cat.
Why Do Cats Yowl at Night? Common Causes in Young and Senior Cats
In a young cat it's often just attention-seeking. In a senior cat, new nighttime yowling is a recognized sign of cognitive decline or an overactive thyroid.
What Is Cat Trilling? The Chirrup Sound Explained
That short, rolling "brrp" sound cats make on the way over to greet you starts as mother-to-kitten communication and often sticks around for life.
Why Do Cats Twitch or Kick When Petted Near the Base of the Tail?
For most cats it's a harmless, sensitive-spot reflex. For a smaller number, it's feline hyperesthesia syndrome, a distinct condition Cornell researchers describe in detail.