Defensive Posturing
Your cat’s arched back or puffed tail when you’re frightened isn’t coincidental. Animal Behaviour research links this to their perception of your fear. Cats react to your gasps or tension by preparing to protect themselves or you. Their defensive posture shows how they monitor your emotional cues for potential dangers in the environment. Heart rate measurements in cats show significant increases when they detect fear in their owners, proving a physiological response to your emotional state.