Every cat owner likes to think they share a special bond with their feline friend, but experts believe that many people might be missing the chance to communicate effectively.
每个养猫的人都认为他们和这些喵星人朋友有着非比寻常的联系，但专家却说可能许多人并未和它们进行过有效沟通。

Animal lovers are often at a loss to explain why their cat extends its tail upwards or rubs against them.
动物爱好者总会对猫咪向上竖直尾巴或来回蹭人的行为感到困惑。

Three quarters of cat owners did not know an upright tail means a moggy is pleased to see them and is trying to say hello, while one in three thought a cat lies on its back when it wants its tummy tickled like a dog.
四分之三的猫主人不知道竖起尾巴代表猫咪很高兴见到他们，实际这是试着打招呼的友好行为。而三分之一的人则认为猫和狗一样，朝天仰躺着代表它们想要主人来挠肚子。

In fact, it actually means cats are relaxed and trust you - and want their head rubbed briefly instead.
其实这种行为说明猫咪很放松，很信任你，而且只想要人轻轻摸摸头而已。

Cat behaviour expert Nicky Trevorrow said it is likely that owners may be being scratched and bitten when they try to rub their cat's tummy - but cats see the action as an abuse of the trust they are exhibiting and would rather have their heads stroked.
动物行为学家妮基·特雷文洛说，当主人试着抚摸猫咪肚子时可能会被抓被咬，这是因为它们只想让人摸头，而人类的摸肚子做法亵渎了它们所展示出的信任。

A third of the 1,100 cat owners surveyed failed to recognise a slow-blinking cat shows a calm, contented moggy, while two in three think a purring cat is always a happy one, when it could actually mean they are in pain.
在对1100个猫主人的调查中，有三分之一的人不知道猫咪慢慢眨眼代表它很安详满足；有三分之二的人认为猫咪打呼噜是在说它很高兴，可实际上这是它们不舒服的表现。

Four in ten owners did not realise a feline with flattened ears meant it is scared and in need of somewhere to hide.
五分之二的主人没意识到猫咪耳朵呈扁平代表它们受了惊吓，需要找地方躲起来。

Pulling a frightened cat out of a hiding place in order to comfort it, could actually add to its stress, the guide reveals. It recommends instead making sure there is somewhere for the feline to hide or climb up high.
动物专家说，把一只受惊的猫从藏身之处揪出来再安慰它可不是好主意，这会让它们愈发紧张。推荐做法是让猫自己找地方躲起来或者爬到高处。

Half of owners were unaware cats also signal stress by licking their lips, with three in ten thinking it means a cat is hungry or has dry lips. It can a sign of nausea or stress - as well as making sure their face is clean after a meal.
有一半的主人不知道猫咪舔嘴唇也是身处压力的信号，十分之三的人却以为猫舔嘴唇是因为它们饿了或渴了，但这实际是猫咪恶心或有压力的表现。然而吃过饭后舔嘴唇则是为了确保面部干净整洁。

A quarter of owners think cats 'intentionally' shed their hair to mark territory, when they actually leave their scent by rubbing against surfaces. One in 20 people thought their cat was rubbing against furniture or walls because it had an itchy face.
四分之一的主人认为猫咪为了划分自己领地会“故意”掉毛，而通常猫标记领地的做法是摩擦物体表面，留下自己的气味，可是每20人中就有1人认为猫摩擦家具墙壁是因为它身体痒痒了。

It can look like affectionate behavior if they rub against your legs as you return home, but as well as being a form of greeting, the sneaky kitties think their owner smells a bit strange and are depositing their scent so the human smells familiar once more.
如果你回家时猫咪来回蹭你的腿，可以理解为喜欢你的表现，这也是一种打招呼的方式。这些小坏猫觉得主人身上的气味有点怪，所以要把自己的味道蹭到主人身上，这样闻起来就正常多了。

Ms Trevorrow admitted cats' subtle' facial expressions can be difficult to read. 'Unlike dogs and humans, cats have not evolved the complex facial muscles that allow them to make obvious expressions,' she said.
特雷文洛女士承认猫咪的面部表情“十分微妙”，很难读懂。她说：“猫咪并未进化出复杂的面部肌肉，所以不能像人或狗那样通过明显的表情来表达自己。”

'They are more subtle and can be difficult to read, so owners also need to look for non-facial signals that can indicate how their cat is feeling. Many cat owners treat their pet like a human friend and think they are being kind when they lavish it with long, affectionate hugs.'
“猫咪的表情很微妙，很难读懂，所以主人需要寻找表情以外的信号来推测猫咪心情。许多猫主人都把宠物猫当做人类朋友一样来看待，觉得给猫咪一个漫长热情的拥抱是表达自己爱意的方式。”

'However, cats are quite solitary creatures and generally find this over the top - instead preferring frequent but brief attention.' Ms Trevorrow said owners can simply take more notice of their cat's behaviour to work out if it is being sociable or wants some time alone.
“然而猫咪是一类特别独立的动物，它们会觉得这种做法难以忍受。相反，它们更喜欢人类简短而频繁的注意。”特雷文洛女士说主人可以多注意一下猫咪的行为，看它是想和外界交流还是想花点时间独处。

She said: 'Misreading these signals can lead to you distressing your cat or being scratched, even if you have its best intentions at heart.
她说：“错误理解动物行为会让你的猫对你感到厌烦，甚至上爪抓你，即使你对它并无恶意。”

'If you wish to calm your pet, you can look it in the eyes and blink slowly. They also like short, rubs on the head if you pick the right moment.'
“要是你想安抚你家猫咪，可以看着它的眼睛，慢慢眨眼。如果时机恰当，它们也喜欢让你快速短暂地摸摸头。”