What Does The Cat’s Tail Say?
If you think cats are inexpressive when it comes to communicating their emotions, you probably just didn’t know where to look. Meowing may be their way of getting our attention, but it’s their tail that’s the talkative one.
Wondering what we’re talking about? Here’s a quick guide to Tail Talk 101 for the cat lovers and paw-rents amongst us.
Whipping Tail
“Leave me alone.”
Cats are notorious for their mood swings so learning how to read the warning signs early can reduce the prevalence of accidental injuries. If your cat’s tail is whipping back and forth quickly, this is a clear sign that they’re feeling angry or irritable and will most likely exhibit aggression. A friendly word of advice would be to just leave them be.
Straight Up Tail
“Hey human, I’m happy to see you!”
If your kitty's tail is sticking straight up, he’s expressing confidence and contentment; and a willingness to be friendly with you. A little twitch at the end of his erect tail can also mean a particularly happy moment - which makes it the purr-fect time to follow-through with more playtime, cuddles and treats.
Swishing Tail
“Something looks interesting!”
A slow swishing tail usually implies that your cat is focused on something (e.g., a toy or stray kibble). In this case, leave him to chase his interest uninterrupted and he’ll let you know when he wants your undivided attention later.
P.S Proud paw-rents of Siamese or Oriental Shorthair cats will know just how vocal these lil’ ones can get when they desire something from you (or simply want to complain about everything else).
Curved, Upright Tail
“Play with me?”
When a cat approaches you with the top of his upright tail hooked like a question mark, this is a friendly greeting that indicates that he’s ready for some good o’ fun - and you should probably take the hint to play with him. As cat paw-rents, you’re probably familiar with this by now - but your kitty's really the one to call the shots at home.
Tail Down
“I need space.”
A tail hanging straight down is a serious mood that signals fear or potential aggression, and serves as an indicator that your cat’s upset. In this situation, avoid direct engagement and try neutralising whatever’s upsetting him instead.
Note: There are some exceptions to this ‘rule’ as certain breeds like Persians and Scottish Folds are known to carry their tails low for no particular reason at all.
Entwined Tail
“Hello, my friend.”
When your cat wraps his tail around another cat (or you), that’s his special way of conveying friendship and companionship. In fact, it’s the feline equivalent of us placing an arm around a loved one. To return his affections, you can respond with slow languid blinks that are known as ‘kitty kisses’.
Tucked Away Tail
“I’m nervous about this.”
Something is making your cat nervous or frightened and he’s letting you know. A tail that’s tucked beneath the body signals fear, submission or even physical illness. When combined with other telltale signs like enlarged pupils or a cowering stance, this points towards an anxiety-ridden cat. In the case that your cat’s hiding somewhere, respect his need for alone time and wait for him to initiate contact when he feels more comfortable.
Puffed Up Tail
“I feel threatened.”
A severely agitated or frightened cat is likely to puff up his tail as an attempt to make himself look bigger. This instinctive response to threats is usually accompanied by an arched back and signals that he wants to be left alone.
All in all, cats actually share pretty clear messages on how they’re feeling at any given moment. And while it takes time to learn their tremendously communicative “tail” language, knowing this would really help you understand your cat better.
Life is a never-ending learning process so we hope you learnt something useful today! ;)