The tail is a very important communication tool used by cats. Cats’ tails are quite unique and breeds range from the tailless Manx to the extra-long, plumed tail of the Somali. Cats use their tails to express how they feel, where they are in relation to other cats and people, and as visual signals to other felines. A cat’s tail is their ‘barometer’ of mood and can tell us whether they are happy, scared, angry or just sitting around bored.
Some cats hold their tails straight up when they encounter new people or animals to gain a better perspective of the surroundings and check out who/what it is with either eyes or ears at their own discretion. If they encounter a new person or animal that they are not afraid of, the tail will sway gently; if the cat feels threatened or unsure, it is likely to twitch slightly. A twitching tail can also indicate annoyance at something like someone’s petting technique.
A cat holding its tail high and fairly stiff with a slight curve at the end is saying that he or she feels threatened and will often lash out with claws if given enough warning. A cat who holds his tail horizontally with a quivering lower tip is probably doubtful about something but too scared to do anything about it. The same thing happens when you surprise a cat; they hold their tails upright and motionless like they are frozen in place by shock. Once they realize it’s nothing to worry about, the tail comes down and goes about its business. Sometimes this happens when they are falling asleep or waking up; they might hold their tails straight up until they become fully conscious.
A cat with his tail tucked between his legs is showing submission (this often happens when a more dominant cat is nearby) and will often be accompanied by some kitty whining, especially if he has been petted or picked up. If you are not sure of how your cat feels about something, look at its tail for clues. A happy cat who loves whatever it is that she’s doing will have her tail loosely curled over her back while she eats or lightly swishing when she is paying attention to you or playing. A happy cat will also have a high-set tail with the tip of the curl just touching the top of her back.
If your cat’s tail is puffed out like an angry squirrel, then he is angry and possibly defensive about something. It might be punishment for something he did wrong, or it may be due to a cat nearby who has made him nervous. Cats cannot easily hide how they feel about something, and most of their emotional state comes through in their tail movements.
Do cats puff their tails when playing?
Cats also puff their tails when they are excited about something – it’s a way of showing that they are happy. It usually happens while playing or when interacting with another cat or a person. If your cat is in its happy zone, you’re likely to see a puffed tail!
The tail is a very important communication tool used by cats. Cats’ tails are quite unique and breeds range from the tailless Manx to the extra-long, plumed tail of the Somali. Cats use their tails to express how they feel, where they are in relation to other cats and people, and as visual signals to other felines. A cat’s tail is their ‘barometer’ of mood and can tell us whether they are happy, scared, angry or just sitting around bored.
Some cats hold their tails straight up when they encounter new people or animals to gain a better perspective of the surroundings and check out who/what it is with either eyes or ears at their own discretion. If they encounter a new person or animal that they are not afraid of, the tail will sway gently; if the cat feels threatened or unsure, it is likely to twitch slightly. A twitching tail can also indicate annoyance at something like someone’s petting technique.
A cat holding its tail high and fairly stiff with a slight curve at the end is saying that he or she feels threatened and will often lash out with claws if given enough warning. A cat who holds his tail horizontally with a quivering lower tip is probably doubtful about something but too scared to do anything about it. The same thing happens when you surprise a cat; they hold their tails upright and motionless like they are frozen in place by shock. Once they realize it’s nothing to worry about, the tail comes down and goes about its business. Sometimes this happens when they are falling asleep or waking up; they might hold their tails straight up until they become fully conscious.
Why do cats thump their tails when lying down?
A cat with his tail tucked between his legs is showing submission (this often happens when a more dominant cat is nearby) and will often be accompanied by some kitty whining, especially if he has been petted or picked up. If you are not sure of how your cat feels about something, look at its tail for clues. A happy cat who loves whatever it is that she’s doing will have her tail loosely curled over her back while she eats or lightly swishing when she is paying attention to you or playing. A happy cat will also have a high-set tail with the tip of the curl just touching the top of her back.
Do cats hold their tails horizontally?
The tail is used as an antenna to communicate emotion. A cat holding its tail horizontally with a quivering lower tip is probably doubtful about something but too scared to do anything about it. The same thing happens when you surprise a cat; they hold their tails upright and motionless like they are frozen in place by shock. Once they realize it’s nothing to worry about, the tail comes down and goes about its business. Sometimes this happens when they are falling asleep or waking up; they might hold their tails straight up until they become fully conscious.
Why do some cats carry their tails low?
If your cat carries his tail low while walking or sitting, then he is feeling nervous or anxious. This also occurs when your cat drags his bottom on the floor while walking because he feels under threat. A cat carrying its tail low is also more likely to direct his aggression at another cat.
Why do cats flick their tails?
Cats will also flick or wag their tails when they are in hunting mode. Cats sit patiently and quietly, with the tip of their tail flicking back and forth, waiting for an unsuspecting prey animal to wander by. This behavior is also seen when a cat gets excited and happy so it’s worth investigating why your cat starts wagging his tail! On the other hand, if your feline friend starts quickly moving her tail from side to side, this could be a warning sign that she might not be friendly towards you or anyone else who may get too close. When do cats thump their tails?
When a cat holds her tail high and fairly stiff with a slight curve at the end, she’s saying that she feels threatened and will often lash out with claws if given enough warning. When a cat suddenly stands still, holding his tail vertically straight up, he is probably surprised by something or someone. If this happens while he’s falling asleep or waking up, he might hold his tail straight up until he becomes fully conscious of what’s going on around him. Not all cats thump their tails on the ground when they are jumping from an elevated spot; some do it as part of playing. However, if your kitty starts to jump down from a place where he shouldn’t be (the top of your cupboard), landing hard with his tail thumping on the ground, it’s a sign that he wants you to follow him because something is amiss.
Why do cats wag their tails?
Cats will also flick or wag their tails when they are in hunting mode. Cats sit patiently and quietly, with the tip of their tail flicking back and forth, waiting for an unsuspecting prey animal to wander by. This behavior is also seen when a cat gets excited and happy so it’s worth investigating why your cat starts wagging his tail! On the other hand, if your feline friend starts quickly moving her tail from side to side, this could be a warning sign that she might not be friendly towards you or anyone who may get too close.
Why does my cat beat me with his tail?
Cats lift their tails and move them in a circular motion when they are happy, wanting to play or pleased to see you. Cats also do this when they are sick; most notably older cats. The “happy tail” wag is often directed at the vet because the cat is so pleased that he gets some attention! Sometimes, when cats get over-excited, they beat their tails against their owners or furniture or maybe even whack someone with the tip of it (and if your cat does this, there’s no need to feel embarrassed – many people have experienced this). If your cat seems over-excited and lifts his tail with the tip moving violently from side to side while staring intensely at you or another animal in the room, it’s a good idea to put him in his room until he calms down. It means there’s too much energy in the environment and you don’t want him to become over-stimulated.
Why does my cat stretch out his tail?
When cats stand up tall with their tails straight out behind them, they are trying to make themselves look larger than life. This is often directed at another animal who may be looking to pick a fight or scare away an intruder. Cats also do this when something gets their attention that they cannot figure out what it is – this often happens when there are birds or other animals outside your home that pique your cat’s curiosity (even if the only thing outside is a plastic bag blowing around).
The cat’s tail and the hormonal signals
A mother cat can find her kittens with the help of her tail. When she is ready to nurse, the tail goes down. After she has finished nursing, the mother cat licks her belly fur and it becomes rough again, thus trapping smell molecules from the kittens and allowing her to follow them via scent markings all over the house. A happy feline will hold his tail up high while an angry or frightened cat holds his tail lower (or towards him).
When your pet is scared or angry, you can usually see a “knot” in their tail; this is where they store these emotions until releasing them later on when they feel secure and calm. People who own only one cat may not notice that both cats in a home will often have their tails in a knot when they see another cat – their tails are raised high and they hold them tightly against them.
What about the cat’s ear and its tail?
The ear of a cat serves as an indicator of his mood. If your furry friend starts grooming the inner side of her ears, she is most likely calm and relaxed. As you can see, there are many reasons why cats raise or lower their tails; it’s a natural behavior for them so they do not need any training to do this.