A relaxed cat holds its tail loosely and ears forward. A puffed-up tail or flattened ears against the head signal fear or agitation — give your cat space in these moments.
Slow blinking is a sign of trust and affection. Try slow-blinking back at your cat across the room to build rapport over time.
Tail flicking during petting often means your cat has had enough — watch for it and stop before it escalates to a nip.