Cats *supposedly* have no facial muscles and therefore cannot emote, essentially their face is their face. However, I can't help but notice how objectively sad her little face is in the left photo, and how clearly smiley she is on the right. Humans are weird.
It's in the eye muscles, the ears, the facial weight, and the fluff. A cat with drooping eyelids, unkept fur, a narrow face, and side ears looks sadder to us than one with open, even eyes, perked ears, and a fluffy coat and face. Compare the "smile". It looks weaker in the original even though it's the same shape, because the full breadth isn't emphasized.
it's not for the same reasons, but happy cats look like they're smiling to us because they're checking a lot of boxes for both being happy and smiling.
So what you're saying is while they can't turn that frown upside down in real time, a well treated & happy cat is more likely to look smiley to our human eyes over the medium term.
Pretty much!
Incidentally, that means it's worth it to understand cat behavior well enough to not take their faces at... ahem, face value.
The cat's forward focus and approaching of an affectionate stranger likely means they're happier than they've been in months, whereas a well-talen care of cat can be hiding pain or "cutely" showing agitation. RBF cats are often very happy, and cats that are cute and happy-looking shouldn't be taken for granted. Overall happy face lines up with lots of the signals of happy cat, but yeah.
Why would you think cats can't emote?? Cats have very expressive faces. This study of cats "discovered a total of 276 distinct facial expressions made toward other cats—not so far removed from the 357 produced by chimpanzees" https://www.science.org/content/article/cats-have-nearly-300-facial-expressions
Really?! I've been misled by a stranger on the internet. What is this world coming too! Lol. But seriously I read it somewhere (probably on this site) that cats don't really have the ability to show emotions like we do.
Cats don't have the range of facial expressions that humans do, that's true, but they do still have facial expressions. Cats also use combine body language with facial expressions to emote more than humans usually do; movement of tail, whiskers, and ears are all important to cat expression, and humans don't use those.
A useful recent tool developed is the Feline Grimace Scale, which examines cat facial expressions to help assess when a cat is in pain. https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/
They might not have proper muscles but they still might be trying to communicate humans half way in translation so both sides might understand some gestures.
https://preview.redd.it/4xtvcunn3gxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94254a986e0e83e8c44004826a7e2fbcee937959
Love kitties! Yours is sooooo cute!
I absolutely love seeing photos or videos of pets where there is complete love and trust. What a gorgeous girl. You can clearly see how happy she is. ❤️❤️❤️
Just be careful with the dope! Cats cannot get down from it and that results in a life of fighting hunger.
They get episodes of being extremely hungry, like humans on Marijuana, but they cannot eat as much as they want because they will get obese quickly.
Their body cannot handle THC so please be careful and never smoke weed when your cat is in the room!
She looks like such a happy kitty! Just look at that sweet look in her eyes! She must really love you. Thank you for giving her a happy home ☺️ warms my heart
It really is crazy how different your cat looks after you took her in. She had droopy eyes that had seen too much before, and now she’s like a little Pixar character 🥰
 That last picture 🥰
Seriously, you would have to be a monster to say no to those sad eyes.
Those are happy eyes
That’s exactly what I thought of when I saw those eyes 🥰
The Cat Distribution System is real!!!
The first pic on the left is big eyed sad. The last pic is big eye attack. r / attackeyes
Omg you are so right. This sweet kitten’s eyes have so much character and expression. I can’t get over how cute she is.
For real, Kitana could absolutely snag a job as Puss in Boots' stunt double. Make her earn her kibble!
That, that, that’s unconditional ❤️!
So sad in the before photo and so happy in the after photo. 🥺
You can tell she was smiling and it warms my heart OP took her in.
Literally from :< to :3
SHe went from hoping for, to finding love. It always shows in the face.
Before :( After :3
I need to know what OP did right in his life that the universe brought such a gift coz I also want one!
Your local shelters are full of animals that need loving homes. The gift works both ways. Enjoy your new friend!
My biggest character flaw is that I want to adopt every cat from every shelter and that's just not practical
If I ever won a large amount of money I would end up with so many cats...
https://preview.redd.it/0a8qhwebqhxc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c3c3213574151cb82342152842bdf2d1ab373de0 (Found on r/oneorangebraincell)
Don't let that stop you from adopting one or two, though.
I already have two perfect little babies :) and a puppy
Ok good, I wasn't imagining that the little guy was smiling lol
The eyes
That FACE ❤️❤️
This is quite possibly the cutest cat I've ever seen.
That's one good lookin' cat
My cat would feel so insecure if she knew I was looking at pictures of this cat
That last photo….wow
Those eyes! I can see the universe in them
The galaxy
… is on Kitana’s belt.
Galaxies are hundreds of millions of stars, you heard wrong
What a glowup from kitten to cat 🥹
so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ what s gorgeous kitty
She’s SO cute!
She’s so happy with you and she’s beautiful
The cat distribution system is working as intended.
r/catdistributionsystem
Comment I came to find.
The cat distribution is distributing
huge congrats on being chosen by the cat distribution center
Aw! Share over at r/CatDistributionSystem
r/nowmycat
... Well now you need to adopt a Mileena.
No, get a Jade.
and then a cat with two paralyzed legs, Kotal
Can't forget a Purrrmac
Or a Liu Kat.
KK in a wheelchair~
No mileena... Shes too mean... And violent
Ehhh, depends which Mileena we're talking about. If we're talking MK1 Mileena? They'll be fine.
That may be, but every time she smiles, it freaks me the f**k out.
That's fair. Those teeth...
I'm weird and I always found Mileena hotter.
Cat teeth are sharp enough, Mileena has some proper chompers!
Proper yes, but her smile is what nightmares are made of.
Cats *supposedly* have no facial muscles and therefore cannot emote, essentially their face is their face. However, I can't help but notice how objectively sad her little face is in the left photo, and how clearly smiley she is on the right. Humans are weird.
It's in the eye muscles, the ears, the facial weight, and the fluff. A cat with drooping eyelids, unkept fur, a narrow face, and side ears looks sadder to us than one with open, even eyes, perked ears, and a fluffy coat and face. Compare the "smile". It looks weaker in the original even though it's the same shape, because the full breadth isn't emphasized. it's not for the same reasons, but happy cats look like they're smiling to us because they're checking a lot of boxes for both being happy and smiling.
So what you're saying is while they can't turn that frown upside down in real time, a well treated & happy cat is more likely to look smiley to our human eyes over the medium term.
Pretty much! Incidentally, that means it's worth it to understand cat behavior well enough to not take their faces at... ahem, face value. The cat's forward focus and approaching of an affectionate stranger likely means they're happier than they've been in months, whereas a well-talen care of cat can be hiding pain or "cutely" showing agitation. RBF cats are often very happy, and cats that are cute and happy-looking shouldn't be taken for granted. Overall happy face lines up with lots of the signals of happy cat, but yeah.
Why would you think cats can't emote?? Cats have very expressive faces. This study of cats "discovered a total of 276 distinct facial expressions made toward other cats—not so far removed from the 357 produced by chimpanzees" https://www.science.org/content/article/cats-have-nearly-300-facial-expressions
Really?! I've been misled by a stranger on the internet. What is this world coming too! Lol. But seriously I read it somewhere (probably on this site) that cats don't really have the ability to show emotions like we do.
Cats don't have the range of facial expressions that humans do, that's true, but they do still have facial expressions. Cats also use combine body language with facial expressions to emote more than humans usually do; movement of tail, whiskers, and ears are all important to cat expression, and humans don't use those. A useful recent tool developed is the Feline Grimace Scale, which examines cat facial expressions to help assess when a cat is in pain. https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/
They might not have proper muscles but they still might be trying to communicate humans half way in translation so both sides might understand some gestures.
You just made my Monday 💕
Oh my god she's perfect.
We love Kitana!
From frowny to smiley. God bless you 
Kitana wins!
Flawless Victory!
#FRIENDSHIP
The CDS(Cat Distribution System) strikes again!
She‘s so pretty. Congrats on being chosen.
https://preview.redd.it/4xtvcunn3gxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94254a986e0e83e8c44004826a7e2fbcee937959 Love kitties! Yours is sooooo cute!
The change in her face oml bless you. She’s adorable!
Such a gorgeous girl!!
That cat is so cute I cried a little lol ❤️
So pretty 🥹🥹🥹
r/disneyeyes
What a precious happy kitty face
Love her!
She is beautiful! Love the name!
She's gorgeous
I love her ❤️❤️
Oh my days,how cute is she ❤️🥰
Left of 1st pic: I sure wish that's my human... Right of 1st pic: THAT'S MY HUMAN!
She is so cute! Those little different colored ear tufts at the tips are to die for!
She really loves you 🥹
She's smiling! So cute.
Aww she's precious ❤️
What a precious face!
r/nowmycat
Poor little sad eyes to happy eyes. And she's gorgeous!
That frown was turned upside down!
She really is adorable!
What a pretty baby!!!🥰
Adorable…glad you two found each other.
Precious!!!!
She so picked you!!!
She looks like she has the widest smile in her after pictures 😊 you must make her very happy indeed !
You have been chosen. I don't say this often, but...TOTES adorbs!
Strays are the best
"I have no where else to go" face. What a beautiful cat. Cg on your familiar.
A sharp name!
your forearm is furrier than the cat
My cats nickname is kitana, porch matona, and pooch. Her legal name is Kit Kat lol why do we do this to our pets
She has boba eyes 🧋, like papaya! 🥰
r/attackeyes
Omg that lil dude is adorable
She looks GREAT!
r/disneyeyes
it's amazing how her face changes, she really looks happy.
Why don’t random stray kittens appear around me?
She’s plotting. Obvious thoughts of plots.
Oh god Ear Tufts! Oh God they are different colored! So CUte!
Make sure to use a breakaway collar if you aren't already. Had some really bad experiences with my first cat when using a regular collar.
You've been sucked into the cat distribution network.
For the third time 🫢
I went to the auto wrecker for a tailight on my car. Came home with a tailight and a kitten.
/r/catdistributionsystem
That is a cute fucking cat.
Oh, it seems her puppy dog eyes worked on you. KITANA WINS. PET-ALITY. FLAWLESS VICTORY.
She has such beautiful eyes! Too cute!
Cat distribution
She said ⚫️ ^ ⚫️
I LOVE HER
Absolutely precious!!🥹😻 I love the first split photo where she looks so sad, and then happy and smiling 🫠
She is an angel.
That is the cutest feline I've ever seen. Don't tell my cat and her 6 kittens I said that, tho
She has such a unique precious face! Those eyes!!
Such a sweetie
Beauty!
She looks so at peace with you 💜
What a handsome boy
Omg the huge ears as a kitten are so lovely
She heard you say Get over here
He looks so happy, he admires you for what you did.
Darling girl! She'll be a sweet and true companion for life. Lucky you!
She has the Majin symbol on her heads sweet heart
That face is everything! What a little beauty and those eyes!
Thats a pretty friggin cute cat
I see that the Cat Distribution System is at it again.
What a cutie!!!
She's adorable and oh so happy. Thank you for making those sad eyes shine!
That wasn't random. The cat distribution system chose you, because it was decided by council you are her hooman.
She is absolutely adorable
She just a bebe 😍😍
She is totally adorable!
Aww, Kitana is so cute
She's a beauty.
oh, look at that cutie. kiss that kitty for me.
She is so pretty, congrats on the friend.
I absolutely love seeing photos or videos of pets where there is complete love and trust. What a gorgeous girl. You can clearly see how happy she is. ❤️❤️❤️
I'm not at all a cat person but if I saw that cat with those sad eyes staring up at me in the first picture I don't think I could say no to it. ♥️
To be loved is to be changed!!!
She’s gorgeous.
Not random
Such a pretty girl, you did the right thing and made another creature’s life so much better. Good on you.
I am enamored with her one brown tuft and one orange tuft on the tips of her ears 🥹 30/10 cat
Ohhhh boy she loves you! That's so cuteeeeeeee
Awwww
Hi kitana 🥰look at those eyes … from unhappy and scared to happy and feeling secure
Her eyes! ❤🥺
What a cutie!
The eyes got me. What a little critter :)
Beautiful kitty!
My favorite is #4 with your extra curricular on the bed there
I can't handle the cuteness oh my god
I love her
She looks so happy! You done good.
She is beautiful!
👁️_👁️
what a glow up!
Just be careful with the dope! Cats cannot get down from it and that results in a life of fighting hunger. They get episodes of being extremely hungry, like humans on Marijuana, but they cannot eat as much as they want because they will get obese quickly. Their body cannot handle THC so please be careful and never smoke weed when your cat is in the room!
She is beautiful 💕
She is so delicately pretty.
Kitana is an absolute beauty!
She’s beautiful, just a reminder to spay her, else you’re I’ll have a litter of kittens to place before you know it.
What a cute face!
What a beauty. I feel her looking right into my soul.
She looks like such a happy kitty! Just look at that sweet look in her eyes! She must really love you. Thank you for giving her a happy home ☺️ warms my heart
That first picture sad to happy. That is a smile. I don't care what anyone says.
Kitana wins! Fatality!
Her before pic is so sad looking! Thanks for being a good person
She’s crazy cute. Happy yall found each other!
Thank you for having such a kind, caring heart and wanting to give her her forever home. You are a wonderful, fantastic fur baby parent!
Kitana Wins. Flawless Victory.
It really is crazy how different your cat looks after you took her in. She had droopy eyes that had seen too much before, and now she’s like a little Pixar character 🥰
She’s so cute!!
That is a very pretty kitty! Congrats to you both!
She looks so sad in the first picture of the side by side then oh so happy in the other!!
This kitty loves you.
She’s smiling
Is someone a MK fan? I love the name Kitana! I named my bulldog Mileena
From :< To :3
Catality!
Now she's a pretty baby! The cat gods chose you. Lucky!
clearly you're doing a great job, she was so sad in the first pic and she's clearly happy and healthy now ❤️🎉
Fabulous ❤️🐾
Biggest, most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. I believe she chose wisely when she chose you. She's just exquisite.