Cats communicate through purrs, head butts, meows and with their tails. A cat’s tail is expressive. We can help translate what your cat’s tail is telling you.
Tail Tales: What Your Cat’s Tail Is Telling You
Watching your cat’s tail can tell you a lot about your cat’s mood. Cats have a language of their own. They communicate through purrs, head butts, meows, and also their tails. Understanding feline communication can be complex, as their body language isn’t as easy to pick up as a canine’s. But the cat’s tail is one of the most expressive parts of their anatomy.
Do you know what your cat’s tail is telling you? Our friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services emergency and specialty pet care is here to tell you more!
The Position of Your Cat’s Tail
If you watch your cat closely, you may be surprised at the number of times they change their tail position in a day. Depending on your cat’s personality, they may throw up their tail in a variety of friendly or relaxed postures. Some basic cat tail positions you can interpret are:
1. Tail held high – When your perky, curious kitty holds their tail high and straight, they mean to say “hello” to you. This is usually an indicator that your cat is happy and laid back. Like waving, this position is a way to greet their human.
2. Tail curved and held high – This means your cat is very curious about something. It can also mean that they are about to greet you and give you their undivided attention (or quite possibly, ask you for food).
3. Tail low to body – This tail position means that your cat is afraid or uncertain about something. Your cat may be experiencing anxiety or possible aggression when the tail is held close to the body and low to the ground.
Wags and Flicks
You have probably seen your furry companion flick their tail as they watch birds, or wag it to and fro when you are talking to them. Cat’s tails have many movements, some of which seem whimsical, interested, or just plain agitated, depending on the context. For example, if your pet is clicking their tongue and flicking their tail as they watch a squirrel outside, it’s probably because they are agitated. After all, they want that squirrel!
If your cat is wagging their tail back and forth slowly, this often means they are happy with their environment and feeling good. If, on the other hand, your cat is thumping their tail, they may be displeased and about to pounce on a rival pet or display some form of aggression. An aggressive or fearful cat will also puff up their fur and tail a la Halloween cat.
Many pet owners notice that when their cat sits, they’ll wrap their tail around their body. This is a way for them to feel more secure, especially when they’re feeling uneasy with the surroundings or situation.
What Is Your Cat’s Tail Telling You?
Have you unlocked the mystery of what your cat’s tail is telling you? We’re sure, as a loving cat owner, there are several ways you can decipher your cat’s mood, whether it is happy or anxious.
Reach out to us at Gigglepets.net if you have questions about your favorite meowy companion.
