Learn the secrets that your cat’s tail reveals!

Your cat’s tail is used for more than just balance. Cats use their tails as a sign of emotion and communication, and also to indicate the mood they are in.

Do you remember those fashionable mood rings in the 1970s? They made a comeback not too long ago. Remember how the ring changed color when our mood changed. Well, our cat’s tail can tell us what mood he’s in. You just have to know what to look for.

In a sense, our cats talk to us with their tails. By learning to recognize the different messages their tails are sending us, we can become better communicators with our feline friends. We can better understand your thoughts and feelings.

Here is a list of various cat tail positions and what they mean. This is a general list of definitions. Remember, like everything in life, there are exceptions to what something means. Are you ready? Let us begin.

Held up– A happy and confident cat will hold its tail high. An erect tail usually signifies a happy and friendly mood. If a cat approaches you with its tail in the air and the tip of its tail quivers, it usually means that it adores you.

Almost every time my tabby cat Tiger sees me, his tail shakes. That makes me know that he really loves me.

lying low A tail set low, parallel to the legs, can indicate aggression. So when you see this, be careful when approaching the cat. Now some breeds are the exception to this mood indicator. Some breeds tend to carry their tails lower, such as Exotics, Persians, and Scottish Folds.

Question mark?- When the tail is folded in the shape of a question mark, your cat is in the mood to play. This is a good time to find one of his favorite toys and play with them.

My tuxedo cat Midnight has been known to show me this tail position when he wants to play. His favorite game is bally ball (remember I talked about that in another email).

hidden under– A tail that is tucked under the body between the legs, says that your cat is scared and nervous. You must be careful when approaching.

whipping motion- A rapidly wagging tail can indicate both fear and aggression. That tail is telling you to stay away!

twitcher- When your kitty’s tail is twitching at the tip, that means she’s in a curious and excited mood.

whistling– A tail that moves slowly from one side to the other usually means that its attention is focused on a specific object. They will show this tail position just before jumping on something… like a cat toy, an insect, a moving object, etc.

all swollen– Surely you’ve seen your cat’s tail get thicker, and it looks fat and fluffy… also called swollen or fluffy. This means that your cat is very agitated, scared, or frightened. Cats do this to appear bigger and scarier to other animals, usually other cats. It is a defense mechanism designed to confuse and detect potential attackers.

tail to tail– When a cat wraps its tail around another cat, it is showing feline friendship. It is a show of affection.

Well, there you have it. You have just learned the tale of the tail. These are the secrets that your feline friend tries to tell you with his tail.

Learning these tail positions will help you better understand cat behavior. This will help you and your cat get closer together. Pretty cool, right?

Best wishes,

connie edwards