A cat’s vocalizations, ears, posture, and tail can all convey their emotions. Particularly, the tail is the feline’s best tool for communication with companions and humans. It not only helps maintain elegant balance but also transmits emotions and information. Want to know what your cat is thinking? Or what messages the cat’s tail is sending? This article will tell cat parents: why cats have tails – the role of cat tails to distinguish 10 meanings of cat tails, and how to respond to different cat tail movements. [Extended Reading] What do cat vocalizations mean? How do you know what your cat wants to tell you? Fun fact: Cat tails can be used for balance and communication with companions Cats can always maintain an elegant posture, which is due to the function of cat tails that help them maintain balance. Just like humans spread their arms to maintain balance, cats will raise their tails in the opposite direction to stabilize their bodies. Similar to whiskers, cat tails are full of nerves and are an important sensory touch for cats, and also a good tool for communicating with companions, which is why cats are more sensitive to tail touching! OPEN article summary: Cat tails are tools to convey emotions Cat tail puffed up: feeling threatened, intimidating enemies Cat tail held high: currently very happy, likes you Cat tail curled into a hook shape: happy Cat tail lying flat with slight movement: not in a good mood, feeling wronged Cat tail tucked between legs: scared, showing submission Cat tail swinging back and forth (only the end): feeling stressed, anxious, and agitated Cat tail slapping from side to side: angry, preparing to attack Cat tail trembling: excited, staring at prey Cat tail swishing slightly: responding to you Cat tail curled up around the body: feeling nervous and uneasy Common questions about cat tail meanings Can cats freely control their tail shaking to express emotions? Why do cats use their tails to slap me or wrap around my legs? What does this mean? Why does my cat chase its own tail? Summary: Cat tail shaking is a tool to convey emotions Cat tails are composed of 18-23 bones, accounting for about 10% of the total number of body bones, and each caudal vertebra is distributed with muscles, allowing cats to freely and flexibly swing and control the movements of their tails. Cat tails can not only maintain balance but also convey cat emotions for communication with companions or humans. The actions cats often display also highlight their personalities, such as: Friendly and affectionate: The tail is often held high, and when especially happy, the tail will curve forward or slightly tremble, and they will wrap their tail around people’s legs to greet them friendly. Active and playful: Often focus on unknown people, things, and the tail is often curled like a question mark or swings from side to side. Irritable and not affectionate: Continuously slap the tail up and down, or the end of the tail will twitch slightly. Aggressive and fond of fighting: The hair on the tail will be fluffy and swing from side to side, along with narrowed pupils, bared teeth, and airplane ears. Introverted and afraid of people: Tucking the tail, or the tail hanging low to the ground, with ears pulled back and pupils dilated, or whiskers pressed on the face. The state of the cat tail can express the cat’s personality, so how to judge the cat’s tail meaning and emotions at the moment? Let’s continue to look down! Here we first organize 10 meanings of cat tails for cat parents, and if you want to understand the detailed expression of cat tail emotions, keep reading: Cat tail puffed up: feeling threatened, intimidating enemies When cats feel nervous, frightened, or angry, they will puff up their tails (commonly known as puffed-up tails) to make themselves look larger, and this is often accompanied by bared teeth and hissing sounds to intimidate enemies, hoping to achieve the effect of self-defense. (Image source: Animalive)
Cats that are typically shy, timid, or young are more prone to self-defense issues and are especially likely to puff up their fur or bite people. For further reading, see ’11 Common Reasons Cats Bite People + Solutions’. In the case of a scared kitten with a puffed-up tail, avoid teasing and instead offer small treats to calm them, or sit quietly nearby without disturbing them to prevent exacerbating the kitten’s panic. Adult cats that puff up are less likely to be scared by sounds and more likely to be stimulated by unfamiliar people or things, perceiving them as dangerous. In such cases, avoid approaching or disturbing them to prevent an attack. For further reading, see ‘How to Care for a Kitten? A Complete Guide for Caring Kittens Aged 0-1 Year Old’. A cat’s tail held high: This indicates happiness and affection towards you. When a cat’s tail is held high and perpendicular to their body, it signifies a good mood, trust, and affection. If the tail end is curled up and gently swaying, it is a greeting and an expression of affection, indicating a desire to play. This behavior originates from their kittenhood when the mother cat would lick the kitten’s anus and urethra to help with excretion. Although adult cats no longer require this, they will still raise their tail high in front of a liked and trusted person, making an affectionate gesture. The appropriate response is to pat the cat’s behind or play with them to allow the cat to happily express their affection. A cat’s tail curled into a hook shape: This indicates maximum affection. If a cat holds its tail high and it is slightly trembling, resembling a question mark, congratulations, this means their affection for you is at the maximum level! A high tail signifies affection, and if it is curled or shaped like a question mark, it means the cat wants to continue interacting with you. Essentially, it is an extension of the high tail behavior, indicating that the cat truly adores you. If the cat’s tail is held high and curled, cat parents can try stroking the cat’s cheeks and chin or patting their behind to allow the cat to express their affection. The appropriate response is to use the cat’s favorite petting method or play with them, allowing the cat to express their affection. A cat’s tail lying flat with a slight sway: This indicates a bad mood or feeling wronged. When a cat’s tail is lying flat and slightly swaying, it signifies a bad mood, feeling wronged, or possibly being unwell (image source: Animalive). If the cat’s tail is hanging low and slightly swaying, this indicates a bad mood or feeling wronged, possibly due to being scolded by the owner, or it could be due to illness. If the cat often hangs its tail and is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting or not drinking water, it could indicate a health issue, and cat parents should pay close attention. For further reading, see ‘5 Common Causes of Cat Vomiting + Recognizing 4 Types of Vomit to Identify the Cause’. If the cat displays this tail behavior after being scolded for doing something wrong, it means the cat knows they were wrong. In this case, allow the cat to calm down or give them some time to offer comfort and reassurance, letting the cat know you have forgiven them. If the cat often has its tail tucked, pay attention to whether there might be a health issue. A cat’s tail tucked between its legs: This indicates fear or submission. When a cat tucks its tail, especially between its legs, it is usually a sign of submission or fear (image source: Animalive). When a cat encounters an opponent that cannot be defeated or intimidated, the cat will tuck its tail to make its body smaller as a sign of submission.
Hiding the tail between the legs indicates that the cat is very frightened and lacks a sense of security at the moment. Sometimes, if you hug a cat in an improper posture, the cat will also make a similar movement. Tucking the tail to protect the belly means that the way cat parents hug the cat is wrong! [Extended Reading] Complete steps and correct methods of holding a cat to make the cat feel secure. Usually, in a multi-cat group, a cat with a tucked tail is also considered to be of lower status! [Response Method] If you notice that the cat’s tail is tucked up, pay attention to whether the cat is threatened or if the environment makes the cat feel uneasy or anxious. When you pick up the cat and find that the cat tucks its tail on its abdomen, pay attention to whether there is an error in the way you hold the cat and make the cat uncomfortable. Cat tail swings back and forth (only the end): Feeling stressed, anxious and irritable. The cat wagging its tail usually represents irritability, stress or anxiety (Image source: Animalive). The meaning of a cat wagging its tail is completely different from that of a dog wagging its tail. A dog wagging its tail represents happiness, while a cat wagging its tail means that the cat is currently feeling stressed, irritable and anxious. The more agitated the cat’s mood is, the faster and stronger the frequency and speed of tail wagging will be. This phenomenon may occur when bathing the cat, brushing its teeth, trimming its nails or shaving the cat in summer. [Extended Reading] 6 steps to reduce stress when brushing a cat’s teeth and make the cat not afraid of brushing. [Response Method] If the cat starts wagging its tail halfway through playing with it, it means that it may not want to play anymore. It is recommended to let the cat be alone and not disturb it. Cat tail slaps left and right: Angry and ready to attack. A cat quickly slapping its tail not only represents irritability but also anger and even begins to prepare to attack (Image source: Animalive). If a cat wagging its tail only represents unhappiness and irritability, then when a cat sits on the floor and slaps its tail extremely hard, making a ‘thumping’ sound on the floor, it is a signal that the cat is about to explode. Moreover, a cat slapping the floor with its tail wagging not only represents anger but also a sign of aggression. Generally, it is the meaning of a cat’s tail when it encounters an opponent and is ready to fight. If you bother it at this time, it may puff up its fur and attack the cat parents! [Response Method] Give the cat some space and let it calm down first unless you want scratches and bite marks on your body. Cat tail trembles: Excited and staring at prey. The whole cat tail trembles and shakes slightly, indicating that the cat is very excited now. It may be because it sees a cat teaser or prey that interests it (Image source: Animalive). A cat may use tail trembling/gentle swaying to express liking and excitement. This usually occurs when a cat sees or eats snacks, or when a cat is patted on the butt or stroked. Don’t be nervous when you see this. It means that the cat is very happy and satisfied! There is another possibility that when it finds prey that interests it, it will stare excitedly and tremble its tail. If you notice that the cat suddenly stares at a certain place and trembles its tail, and its pupils dilate and its whiskers stand up forward, you can observe what prey the cat sees that makes it excited! [Response Method] Don’t be too nervous when you see it because this represents that the cat is in a hunting state and also means that it is very excited now.
Observe whether your cat is wagging its tail due to enjoying a meal or because it has spotted some ‘prey’. Perhaps your cat is intently watching a large cockroach, ready to hunt! A gentle flick of the cat’s tail: Responding to you, a single flick or wag of the cat’s tail usually signifies ‘I acknowledge your call’ (image source: Animalive). Although cats are not as enthusiastic in responding to their parents’ calls as dogs, they will still sway or wag their tail to let you know ‘I heard you calling, what’s up?’. If the cat is currently busy (busy sleeping, daydreaming, sunbathing… etc.), it may lazily wag its tail to let its parents know that it has heard, but wishes to respond later. The key to interpreting this response is: the cat only wags its tail once; any more and it would be too lazy. Isn’t that a charming trait of cats? [Response Method] If, when calling your cat, it wags its tail once, give it some ‘feline’ space. When it wants to engage with you, it will come to find you! Curling the tail around the body: Feeling nervous and uneasy. If a cat sits and circles itself with its tail, it signifies a desire to protect itself from unease, or it could be sick. If a cat sits or lies down but wraps its tail around its body, it indicates that the cat is scared and anxious, or feels unwell or sick, thus using its tail as a defense by wrapping it around its body. If this behavior is occasional, it’s fine, but if the cat consistently curls its tail around its body for several days, it might be necessary to take the cat to the vet for a check-up. [Response Method] When you see a cat wrapping its tail around its body, it could mean anxiety or fear, or there might be a health issue. At this point, cease interacting with the cat. If the cat continues to exhibit this behavior for several days, it is advisable to take the cat to see a doctor! Common Questions About Cat Tail Meanings. The cat caretaker has compiled several questions related to cat tails and their meanings for cat parents to check out:) Can cats freely control their tails to express emotions? Cats can control their tail wagging and convey many emotions and messages to other companions or humans through tail movements. However, sometimes a cat’s tail may twitch involuntarily, which is mostly a normal movement, and cat parents need not worry excessively. But if a cat’s tail frequently experiences unnatural muscle twitches that do not appear to be controlled by the cat, parents might be concerned about whether the cat is suffering from hyperesthesia (also known as the rolling skin syndrome). In this case, a visit to the vet for diagnosis may be necessary! Why does my cat use its tail to slap me or wrap around my legs? What does it mean? When a cat slaps its parents with its tail or wraps its tail around their legs, it is actually expressing its affection and trust towards them. This action is meant to let you absorb its scent and signal to other animals that you are under its protection. Additionally, if the cat presents its back to you or its rear towards your face while slapping you with its tail, it also signifies a high level of trust, as it exposes its relatively ‘vulnerable’ back to you. Why does my cat chase its own tail? Typically, in the minds of cat parents, only dogs are more likely to chase their tails, and it is less common to see the more elegant and composed cats engaging in such behavior.
However, if a cat is seen chasing its own tail, it indicates that it may be a bit bored at the moment and not stimulated by other prey or toys. This situation is especially more common in kittens. So, if you notice your cat chasing its tail, you can provide some toys, catnip, cat teasers, etc. and spend more time playing with the energetic cat. In addition, if it is not just simply chasing the tail but attacking or biting its own tail, it may mean that the cat has anxiety problems or other psychological symptoms. At this time, take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination. Limited-time trial set, only 50 yuan, and there is also a free shipping coupon. Click to use it.?? Latest article from petdaddy: [Meaning of Cat Postures] Understand 18 Kinds of Cat Body Language in 3 Seconds. 2023-02-03. [What to Do When Cats Fight] Preventing Cats from Fighting + Essential Guide for Multi-Cat Families on Emergency Breaking up Fights. 2023-01-26. Newbie Dog Ownership Guide: 7 Essential Items for Dog Ownership, Care Instructions, and Essential Related Knowledge. 2023-01-23. [What to Do When a Cat Keeps Meowing] Help You Understand the Reason Why a Cat Keeps Meowing in 3 Minutes and How to Deal with It? 2023-01-08. [Food Cats Can Eat] 20 Kinds of Human Foods Can Also Be Used for Cat Dietary Supplements! Cats Live Longer by Eating These! 2022-12-24. Thank you all for watching. If you find the articles of the curator very useful, you can click the share button below and share them to LINE and FB for all those in need of information. Also welcome to join the discussion community of pet parents on LINE and discuss pet experiences with 670 pet parents.??
