Read the whole configuration
Ears, eyes, whiskers, head height, back shape, weight distribution and tail can change together. Research on cat interactions found that ear position helped predict whether encounters ended positively or negatively, but no single feature explains every setting.
Direction adds another layer: a raised tail during voluntary approach is different from a tail caught in one frame while the cat turns away.
Body language is dynamic
Look for transitions: muscles soften, ears return forward, weight shifts toward an exit, grooming suddenly starts or play becomes one-sided. Ask what triggered the change and whether the cat can leave. Consent is often visible as continued voluntary participation, not mere stillness.
Stop the interaction briefly. Does the cat re-approach, remain comfortable, or use the pause to move away?
What the analyzer should report
A useful system describes the configuration and its timing before suggesting interpretations. CatMind AI can combine posture and movement with sound and scene context, while keeping uncertainty visible when the tail is off camera or the key transition was not recorded.
Sources and further reading
- Heads and Tails: visual signals in cat interactions
- Facial correlates of emotional behaviour in domestic cats
- PMTNet: cat behaviour recognition in unconstrained videos
Sources support the general information on this page. CatMind AI is an observation tool, not a veterinary diagnostic service.
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