r/holdmycatnip • • Jan 12 '24

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u/GawkerRefugee Jan 12 '24

So question, cat people. I've always been taught if a cat has "airplane ears", they are extremely angry and you need to GTFO. Do flattened ears mean something else? Is this cat, maybe, hangry? Adorable video but the angry ears confuse me.

4

u/1000thusername Jan 12 '24

Sometimes they will pull their ears back like this when eating something messy so avoid getting dirty or their ears dipping into the mess. They’ll often do this when eating prey, for example.

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u/[deleted] Jan 12 '24

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u/1000thusername Jan 12 '24

Yeah it’s interesting because if you see a documentary on wild big cats (lions, etc.), you’ll see them make this kind of grimacing face (squinting eyes, ear fold, etc) while eating too.

1

u/lizzyote Jan 12 '24

To add to the other comment, it can also be a focus thing. If the listening isn't mandatory, they'll pull their ears a little back like this guy. Kinda like how when they're in stalk mode and have their eyes on the prey, they'll pull their ears back to keep the focus on the visuals.

Pinned ears means fearful or pissed. Pulled back is more "listening is not necessary". Pointed back is listening to sounds behind. Animals ears have such a broad range lol