Cats can be great communicators, with a vocal repertoire that includes hissing, purring, and meowing. And there’s no mistaking what an extended claw or bared teeth mean. But when it comes to his tail, do you know what that furry little appendage is trying to telling you? You may be surprised!
Animal experts put a lot of stock in the belief that a cat’s tail movements expose his underlying mood and disposition. Read on to learn exactly what the tale of the tail has to reveal!
According to Carlo Siracusa, assistant professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a cat’s tail speaks volumes about his emotional state. If your cat is outwardly calm when he greets you, and displays a straight tail with a hooked tip, you can regard this as a friendly “hello.”
Conversely, a cat who is behaving aggressively and displays a tail standing straight up like an arrow is letting you know to let him have his space for the time being.
If you encounter a cat with it’s tail furiously whipping back and forth, stand back. The cat is likely agitated, and his feelings of fear or nervousness may make him behave aggressively toward you even if you’re not the intended target.
Yes, there is such a thing as a scaredy cat! Fearful cats often arch their backs while at the same displaying a puffed up tail.
In general, a downward curved tail may mean that your cat is feeling defensive, while a tail held in a low, neutral position signals that your cat is feeling calm and comfortable.
In addition to reading your cat’s tail-language, it helps to factor in his other movements to get a more complete picture of his emotional state.
Related: 5 Things To Be Aware Of As Your Cat Ages
Have you ever watched your moggie tap his tail while he’s asleep? Siracusa believes that the animal is likely relaxed, but with a small part of its consciousness alert to movement or sounds in his immediate vicinity.
And most of us have watched in wonderment as our furry feline friend suddenly skyrockets across the room, darts down the hallway, or races about the house for seemingly no reason, right? Animal experts refer to this sudden burst of energy as, “the zoomies!”
Affiliate links included below. Thanks for your support!
It’s likely that your cat’s tail is switching madly about as he races round and round, but the zoomies usually indicate nothing more than an outlet for stored up energy!
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page, Follow Our Twitter Account or Head Over To Our Pinterest Page!
This is super helpful. We just took in my sister’s cat last week and I am clueless because I have never had a cat before.
This was such an interesting read. Cats really do have a language all their own. They’re remarkably expressive.
That’s pretty amazing. I had no idea that cats could be so expressive. I’ve been reading a lot about cats lately, and it’s completely a myth that they aren’t affectionate or expressive.
Our cat has no pent up energy. He’s so lazy (he’s very old) it makes me laugh. 🙂 The kitty we just babysat for my grandbaby though, had a very twitchy tail. 😉
This is super helpful. We just took in my sister’s cat last week and I am clueless because I have never had a cat before.
We are dog people but I still like cats although my husband doesn’t like litter boxes. Great tips to try and predict what these sly guys are thinking.
This was such an interesting read. Cats really do have a language all their own. They’re remarkably expressive.
That’s pretty amazing. I had no idea that cats could be so expressive. I’ve been reading a lot about cats lately, and it’s completely a myth that they aren’t affectionate or expressive.
Very interesting. I’m allergic to cats so I have never owned one.
Our cat has no pent up energy. He’s so lazy (he’s very old) it makes me laugh. 🙂 The kitty we just babysat for my grandbaby though, had a very twitchy tail. 😉
This is great information. I don’t have pets, but I will keep this in mind when I am at my friends that have cats.
We are dog people but I still like cats although my husband doesn’t like litter boxes. Great tips to try and predict what these sly guys are thinking.
One of my cats has such a tiny tail but it really fluffs up when there is a loud noise. It’s so cute!
Very interesting. I’m allergic to cats so I have never owned one.
What an interesting post, I knew that I watched a cats tail for a reason. I have seen angry cats twitch their tail or even playful ones twitch it a little differently. This will be a great resource for many people who are around cats frequently!
This is great information. I don’t have pets, but I will keep this in mind when I am at my friends that have cats.
One of my cats has such a tiny tail but it really fluffs up when there is a loud noise. It’s so cute!
One thing about cats is that you really have to read their body language. It’s important to know what different tail twitches mean.
What an interesting post, I knew that I watched a cats tail for a reason. I have seen angry cats twitch their tail or even playful ones twitch it a little differently. This will be a great resource for many people who are around cats frequently!
One thing about cats is that you really have to read their body language. It’s important to know what different tail twitches mean.
I absolutely love cats. They have such an awesome way of communicating to us.
What amazing information. This would be a great resource for someone getting a kitty for the first time.
I love watching our cat’s tail. She has a lot of character.
I’ve had cats all my life and never knew that about their tails. The Zombies crack me up and it seems to happen when they’re young.
I absolutely love cats. They have such an awesome way of communicating to us.
What amazing information. This would be a great resource for someone getting a kitty for the first time.
I love watching our cat’s tail. She has a lot of character.
I’ve had cats all my life and never knew that about their tails. The Zombies crack me up and it seems to happen when they’re young.
Being a cat owner, i love to read good-to-know information about cats because they can be such mysterious creatures! I didn’t know this about their tails, so cool.
Being a cat owner, i love to read good-to-know information about cats because they can be such mysterious creatures! I didn’t know this about their tails, so cool.
So the cats tail is basically their antenna. Its their defense mechanism.
I never really thought about why cats move their tails. This was a really interesting read!
Interesting information. I never really paid attention to the way my cats move their tails. I was just wondering if this is the same case with dogs?
So the cats tail is basically their antenna. Its their defense mechanism.
I never really thought about why cats move their tails. This was a really interesting read!
Interesting information. I never really paid attention to the way my cats move their tails. I was just wondering if this is the same case with dogs?
I can tell when my parents’ cats are up to no good! The way they move, tails included, is a giveaway for sure!
I can tell when my parents’ cats are up to no good! The way they move, tails included, is a giveaway for sure!
What a cute kitty! We are toying with the idea of getting a kitten once we are settled into our home.
What a cute kitty! We are toying with the idea of getting a kitten once we are settled into our home.