What is your pet telling you?

Correct answer: B. It's excited: it may be happy or tense, so look at the whole body

A wag means excitement, not necessarily happiness. A loose body and a wide, whole-rear-end wag are friendly. A high, stiff tail vibrating quickly can mean tension or the start of aggression. Always read the whole dog: ears, eyes, mouth and stance.

Correct answer: C. It feels uncomfortable and is asking to be left alone

Lip licking, yawning, turning the head or eyes away and showing the whites of the eyes are signs of stress. It is the dog's polite way of saying "enough". If these signals are ignored, the next step may be a growl or a bite. Stop petting and give the dog space, and teach children to recognise these signs.

Correct answer: C. Leave it, and later teach it to trade the bone for a tastier treat

A growl is a warning: the dog is telling you it feels threatened. Punish the growl and the dog may stop growling but stay afraid, and next time bite without warning. Taking things by force makes the fear worse. Teach a "trade" instead: swap the bone for something better. If growling is frequent, see your vet or a behaviour specialist.

Correct answer: B. It trusts you and feels relaxed

A slow blink is something like a cat's smile: a sign of trust and calm. A study found cats are more likely to approach a person who slow-blinks back. Try it: look at the cat softly and slowly close and open your eyes.

Correct answer: B. No, cats can also purr when in pain or stressed

Cats often purr when they feel good, but they may also purr when in pain, frightened or ill, for example at the clinic or while giving birth. Read the purr together with other signs: a cat that hides, stops eating or behaves unusually should see a vet.

Correct answer: B. It trusts you and is relaxed, though many cats dislike belly touches

Showing the belly means the cat feels safe. But unlike most dogs, many cats don't like their belly touched and may suddenly grab your hand with claws and teeth. Most cats prefer strokes on the head, cheeks and under the chin.

Correct answer: B. It is scared or irritated: leave it alone

Ears turned sideways or flat, dilated pupils and a lashing or swishing tail signal fear and irritation. Don't touch or approach the cat; let it calm down or hide if it wants to. Unlike a dog's wag, a cat's swishing tail usually means irritation.

Correct answer: B. Take it to the vet: cats are good at hiding illness

Cats instinctively hide pain and illness. A change in behaviour, hiding, eating less or no longer grooming is often the first and only sign. A cat that has eaten almost nothing for more than 1–2 days should see a vet: in cats, not eating quickly harms the liver.

Correct answer: B. Don't: many dogs find it unpleasant. Let the dog come over, and stroke its side or chest

To us a hug means love; to most dogs it means being pinned and restrained. Dogs bite children most often in the face, frequently during a hug or when a face comes close. Teach children to wait for the dog to come to them, stroke its side or chest, and leave sleeping or eating dogs alone.

Correct answer: B. It feels relaxed and content: a habit left over from kittenhood

Kneading starts in kittenhood, when it helps the mother's milk flow. Adult cats knead when they are relaxed and happy, often while purring, and leave their scent from glands in their paws. If the claws hurt, put a thick blanket on your lap.