by Rose Spotts

Created on: July 22, 2008   Last Updated: August 28, 2009

Have you ever called out to your cat and found that he or she seems to be ignoring you but yet you can see their ears turning in your direction? We've often laughed at that in my home and reply with "I know you're listening or at least your ears are!" Their ears are like little antennae focusing on sounds around them, picking up the tiniest of sounds that we probably cannot even hear with our human ears.

Cats have 32 muscles in each ear. (No kidding!) This allows cats to pivot their ears 180 degrees, rotating each ear independently even, in order to be more aware of it's surroundings. It takes approximately 20 of those 32 muscles to move the cat's ear, allowing them to hear in all directions without ever moving it's head. Human ears contain only 6 muscles and we can barely move our ears independently (although some have been known to at least wiggle their ears!). Cats are able to move their ears so rapidly toward a sound that they are even faster than the best watchdogs with the most sensitive aural senses! How amazing is that?

Anatomically speaking, a cat's ear is made up of three parts, the outer ear, also called the pinna is the upright portion of the cat's ear (unless you're a cat such as a Scottish Fold, whose ears fold down and over). The outer ear or pinna, funnels sound into the cat's ear canal. The middle ear is separated from the outer ear by a thin membrane, the eardrum. Just like human's, a cat's eardrum is very sensitive and can be damaged easily by infection or injury. This part of a cat's ear is very similar to that of a human, containing three small bones and a eustachian tube which leads to the back of the mouth. The third part of a cat's ear, the inner ear is the part that connects to the brain. It contains the nerves and areas of the ear which aid in balance and hearing.

Interestingly enough, cats use their ears to communicate. According to a few cat experts there are 5 signals you can get from a cat's ear movements. When relaxed, a cat's ears will point forward and outward, listening for any sudden sounds in its surrounding environment. In alert mode, a cat's ears will jump to attention and focus in the direction of the oncoming sound. If it is multiple sounds, the ears will rotate a few times to attempt to hear everything. When a cat is annoyed or agitated, their ears will twitch. When a cat is feeling defensive, they will flatten their ears for protection. Finally, when a cat is feeling aggressive, they will rotate their ears, exposing the back of their ears and slightly flattening them. This is a warning sign that this cat is ready to pounce or attack.

If you've never paid attention to your cat's ears, check them out now or the next time you are speaking to him or her. Watch how they use their ears to express how they are feeling and to take in their world around them. You'll see just how even more fascinating your pet is in their intricate design and abilities!

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