Photo courtesy fermicat
And last, but of course, not least in this series of Understanding Your Cat’s Body Language, we get to the tail.
Personally, I think a cat’s tail signals some of the coolest body language signs, you just have to understand them.
A cat’s tail is tremendously communicative, thanks to how mobile it is. Just think about all of the different types of tail movements you’ve seen: It can be raised up and down, sweep from side to side, move slowly or quickly, curl around us or them, trash and twitch, among other things.
And that’s just the movements. How the hair stands or lays on the tail can also be an indicator of mood: the hair can lay flat or bristle up like a brush.
So what does all of this mean? There are a number of great explanations and visuals, like the visual below from messybeast.com, which I think will help.
Let’s go through the examples above, so we can all understand them a bit better:
Tail straight up: This signals that your cat is feeling friendly or content. Usually your cat’s tail will stand straight up when he’s around you. Mother cats hold their tails upright when she wants her kittens to follow her (it may also help her kittens see her, depending on where they are). Similarly, when kittens run to greet their mother (or pet parents), their tails will rise straight up, too.
Tail raised back at an angle: This is a non-threatening gesture that means the cat is simply unsure about something. Your cat may do this while sniffing new friends that have come to visit. Usually, if they pass your cat’s test, your cat will soon raise his tail in friendliness.
Tail raised up, swishing: Large, dramatic tail swishes generally convey a powerful emotion. This can signal a derisive attitude – that your cat is upset or wants to be left alone. Your cat will likely do this as he walks past you in acknowledgement, but to show you that his mind is on other things. Some people call it the “So what!” or “Forget you!” move.
Photo courtesy wishymom (Stephanie Wallace Photography).
Tail straight up, quivering: A quivering tail is a very good sign – it means that your cat is very excited to see you. It’s a very friendly greeting that you’ll likely get when you walk in the door at the end of the day or if he greets you when you get out of bed in the morning.
Similarly, a cat who is very excited to see you may also pull his tail forward over his back (Ellie is known to do this). While this may seem like a bizarre thing to do, the behavior really makes sense to our cats – it’s their way of inviting us to sniff their anal glands, their way of being friendly.
Tail raised up, hooked at the tip: When I was little, I was taught that when a cat hooks the tip of his tail, it looks like a question mark – which is exactly how your cat feels. He’s friendly (hence the tail being raised), but he’s unsure of something.
Tail held horizontally behind the cat: This neutral position that can convey a few feelings. Your cat may be alert, confident, relaxed or amicable. It can definitely depend on the situation and the rest of your cat’s body language.
Hook in base of tail: Also called the “inverted U” or “horseshoe” tail, this behavior signals defensive aggression. Usually, your cat’s tail will be bristled too. You’ll often see this in your cat when he has the “kitty crazies” at the end of the day. He may also arch his back and crab walk a bit, especially if another cat has angered him, or if he’s feeling feisty about something.
Thrashing tail: This could mean a number of things – look at your cat’s other body language to find out exactly how he may be feeling. A trashing tail, sweeping from side to side erratically, could convey one of several things, including:
- Intense interest if your cat is focusing on something, like a bird outside, or if he’s about to pounce on a toy (prey).
- Ecstasy if your cat is really enjoying a grooming session.
- Anger if the tail is thumping loudly on the floor.
- An invitation to another cat to play.
- High excitement or aggression if the tail trashes violently.
Photo courtesy Daniele Nicolucci photography.
Bristled tail: When your cat’s tail puffs up like a bottle brush, you can be pretty sure that your cat feels threatened and has become defensively aggressive. Your cat may bristle his tail if you startle him, if he’s scared, or if another cat (or person) angers him. He’ll likely try to escape the situation if possible, but he may also stay to defend himself if necessary. Like when a cat bristles the hair on his back, this action is meant to make himself look bigger, in an attempt to make the aggressor leave him alone.
Tail held low and straight: When your cat is holding his tail diagonally down, he’s likely feeling aggressive – or that he soon could be ticked off. Again, read your cat’s other body language and watch the tail to see what it develops into.
Tail held between the legs: This is a submissive move that’s likely trying to convey that your cat is upset or wants to be left alone. Unlike the bristled tail, a submissive tail can make a cat look smaller and less threatening to another aggressive cat.
Twitching tail tip: Sometimes just the tip of your cat’s tail will twitch. This usually signals that he’s alert and concentrating on watching something that interests him – like a bug or bird outside. Your cat may also twitch his tail if he’s playing and approaching “prey.”
Tail-twine: Personally, this is one of my favorites. Cats will entwine their tails around other cats’ tails, other objects, and of course, us! It’s their friendly way of marking us as theirs, and potentially trying to influence us to give them what they want, like attention or food!
Which tail behaviors do you see most often in your cat? Which is your favorite? Please share in the comments!
Anyone with a cat knows it's no surprise to see their favorite feline exhibit curious behaviors or watch them as they go through their entertaining daily rituals. We'll share some fun facts about these antics and attitudes which seem crazy to us, but seem very normal to your cat.
Do cats sulk?
Humans are huge to a cat. When you scold him, you are intimidating him. When you look down upon a cat to discipline him, he associates your fixed gaze with a rival. The eyes of many animals are a signal of power. In comparison to a cat's size, his eyes are enormous. In hostile situations, a dominant cat will stare at his rival, who will look away rather than increase the hostility. So when your cat turns away after disciplining, he isn't ignoring you; he's surrendering.
Want to learn how to save on your cat's veterinary care? Click here
Why do cats go to the one person in the room who doesn't like cats?
When a cat enters a room full of people who are staring at him, he becomes very uncomfortable. However, he will notice the one person who is totally ignoring him - the person who dislikes cats for whatever reason. The cat goes to that person to seek a safe haven from those who are fawning over him or intimidating him. Cats like attention, but want it when they want it and in the amount they want; anything outside those parameters is unacceptable and makes him uneasy.
Why does my cat interrupt my phone calls?
He isn't jealous. He doesn't have any idea that you are speaking to someone else. He thinks you are talking to him.
Why are cats so curious?
By nature, the cat is an explorer and is constantly on the hunt - not always for food, but also to satisfy his quest for the unknown. This is natural for a cat and not a behavior he has adopted.
Do cats dream?
As do humans, cats alternate phases of deep and light sleep. Dreaming occurs during the deep sleep phase occurs. During a cat's deep-sleep phase, you will movement of his paws and claws, twitching of his whiskers, and flicking his ears. Sometimes he may even make sounds.
Why do cats' tails quiver?
When a cat's tail is quivering, it can mean mild irritation. If the cat's tail becomes erect and the whole length seems to be quivering with excitement, it means exactly that - excitement. You will be certain which emotion he is displaying based on the activity he is currently involved in. If you are petting him and his tail starts to quiver, be aware he has has enough and this is his way of letting you know you need to stop.
Why do cats swish their tails?
One reason a cat swishes his tail is to get his balance before leaping. The other is to mesmerize the prey he is looking at. Since the cat can't see prey if the prey becomes still, he moves his tail to initiate the slightest movement in his target, which he can then spot.
What does it mean when a cat lashes his tail from side to side?
The tail waving quietly from side to side means contentment. If the cat is sitting quietly with his tail gently wagging back and forth, he's concentrating intently on something. Vigorous lashing back and forth is a sure sign of anger; signaling annoyance and a good sign that the cat is really upset. Tail wagging somewhere in between heavy duty and half-hearted can mean that he is indecisive.
Want to learn how to save on your cat's veterinary care? Click here
What else does a cat's tail tell?
When the tail is bent forward over the head, it means the cat is feeling like top cat and in a carefree mood. When the tail is waved quietly side to side like a lady's fan, the cat is contented. Several quick flicks upward is a greeting to both humans and other cats.
What do the different ear positions on a cat mean?
There are five basic ear signals, revealing if the cat is feeling relaxed, alert, agitated, defensive or aggressive. When the ears are pointed forward and slightly outward, the cat is relaxed and carefully listening to everything that is going on around him. When his ears are erect and facing forward, the cat is alert and ready to investigate any noise that has been heard. When the ears twitch nervously back and forth, the cat is agitated or anxious, ready to defend itself. The ear twitching may also be accompanied by two quick flicks of the tongue around the lips. When the ears are flattened tightly against the head, the cat is signaling annoyance and is feeling defensive, and may strike at the slightest gesture towards him, simply because he is preparing to defend himself if necessary. A cat will pin the ears back to protect them during a fight. When feeling aggressive but not frightened, a cat's ears will be in a position somewhere between alert and defensive.
What can we tell about a cat's behavior from his fur?
When alarmed or startled, a cat's fur will stand up all over its body. When feeling threatened (as when another cat is about to attack), the fur stands up only in a narrow band along the spine and on the tail. The hair will incline slightly toward the middle from both sides, and will form a sharp ridge. This will make the cat appear larger than he is to any nearby enemies.
What does the different positions of the whiskers reveal?
When pointed forward and fanned out, the cat is tense - alert, excited and ready to act. When the whiskers are bunched together and flattened to the side of the face, he is feeling reserved, timid, or shy. When pointed sideways and aren't spread out, the cat is comfortable, calm, relaxed, friendly, satisfied, or indifferent.
Cats are intelligent and fascinating creatures who rarely do something without good reason, even if we don't understand what that reason may be.