Cat's are not thinking about "killing" when they have this look. It's the "play & snack mode" a very positive feeling for the cat. They don't have the idea that they might hurt or kill another living being in the process.

The real "kill mode" is when having a dispute with other cats (or cat like animals) that they identity not as a snack but as a cat like thing. And this look is much closer to the left picture.

[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 15 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Fight mode is usually ears back, low to the ground, fur on end, tense muscles and accompanied by hissing/bapping. Tail tucked in or fully raised dependent on cat and whether they feel cornered or aggressive.

Eyes half squinted, ears generally relaxed/lightly twitching with occasional tail swish is chill mode.

[–] Sergio@piefed.social 5 points 11 hours ago

Whiskers will be more horizontal as well. Drooping whiskers = relaxed.

[–] Jesus_666@lemmy.world 33 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

The second move is for target acquisition and often precedes a pounce. The wide pupils let in more light, enabling a more precise pounce.

Why the cat's body is preparing to pounce is entirely situational. Maybe it's a hunt, maybe it's play, maybe it's just because the cat is being a little overenergetic derp. When you spend time living with a cat you usually learn to identify them pretty reliably. Especially the last one.

[–] Feyter@programming.dev 1 points 10 hours ago

Exactly my stand is, that cat's don't differentiate much between play and hunt.

It's a joyful experience for them (most times), not a stress situation.

[–] Siethron@lemmy.world 10 points 17 hours ago

The left picture is also very close to a cat smile, a little more squinty-ness and that's a smile.