What Is Your Cat’s Tail Saying?

Cats have a very rich body language through which they communicate with other cats and with humans. His gestures, looks and meows indicate how he feels or what it is he is asking for. Cats constantly send signals that indicate if they are angry, happy, sick, hungry, wanting affection… through their ears, eyes, whiskers, tail, etc. Here we’ll see what things the cat’s tail might be saying to you.

What does each movement of the cat’s tail mean?

Cats can move their tails in different ways to indicate different things. As a general rule, smooth, paused movements indicate calm,  well-being, and a willingness to play, and quick, jerky movements indicate fear or discontent.

That is, the tail can take on different positions depending on the cat’s intentions.

If the cat wants or is expecting something, its tail will be immobile and rigid up.

If, on the contrary, it is fully stretched or stretched with the tip down, moving from top to bottom, it is because the cat is happy and willing to play.

If the tail is stretched almost to the height of the loin, but slightly upwards, then the cat has a friendly attitude and it can be petted without any problems.

Unlike dogs, moving your tail from side to side, whether standing or sitting, means the cat is angry and is best left alone for a moment.

The more he wiggles his tail, it means the angrier he is. If the tail is down, it indicates sadness and if you put the tail between your paws it is because the cat is upset, afraid or has adopted a submissive attitude.

If the tail is slightly curved and points towards the ground, then the cat is adopting a defensive attitude and if the tail is down, you are either facing an aggressive attitude or it has adopted an attack position.

Be careful if you see your cat in this position, as he may jump on you.

Chances are, you’ve already seen your cat sitting, looking out the window, with the tip of its tail moving slowly sideways.

This movement indicates that the cat is focused or thinking, and is usually accompanied by a tilt of the head.

If the cat swings its tail from back to front, it is expressing itself in its wildest form. This move is used to stalk prey and balance on it.

Possibly, this will be noticed when your cat plays with her skeins of yarn, or her toys.

If a cat’s tail turns suddenly, be careful. This means the cat is prepared to attack if the person doesn’t back down.

It’s a warning to indicate that he wants to be left alone, so stop petting your cat if you see him in this position.

Sometimes cats wiggle their tails while they sleep. This indicates that they are dreaming and probably think they are chasing a bird or a rabbit.

This movement evokes tenderness, and it’s very funny to see a sleepwalking cat with its tail.

In addition to indicating moods and asking for things from their owners, the cat’s tail can also be used as a toy.

Cat moms often use their tails to distract their kittens. In this way, they keep them under control, in addition to stimulating their motor skills, curiosity and hunting instinct.

Likewise, it is not uncommon to see a kitten playing at chasing its tail, a gesture that always makes humans smile and can distract the cat for a few hours.