Have you ever wondered why your cat is always thumping their tail on the ground when they are irritated? Or maybe you’ve noticed they seem to stick their tail straight up in the air when they’re happy. Cats use their tails as a primary form of communication, and learning how to crack their tail code will allow you to become even closer to your furry friend. Keep reading to find out more about how cats communicate with their tails and how you can become more familiar with their tail language.
Why Should You Learn About Your Cat’s Tail Language?
As cat owners, we are always looking for ways to ensure we are in tune with our fur babies’ wants and needs. If you know anything about cats, you know they can be incredibly notorious at hiding how they feel. This is especially true if they are in pain. After all, they can’t just tell you what’s wrong!
While cats may not have a voice to express their feelings, they do have tails, and they will use their tails to communicate with both humans and other animals. It is crucial to understand how your cat may be feeling by reading their tail language. In turn, you can ensure your kitty gets the attention – or the space! – that they need.
Common Cat Tail Language and Its Meaning
Below are some of the most common positions or movements of a cat’s tail that you may notice in your kitty and what they may indicate about your fur baby’s mood.
Tail Straight Up in the Air
If your cat is always strutting around the house with their tail straight up in the air, congratulations! You have a very happy kitty on your hands. Cats sticking their tail straight up indicates contentment and a willingness to socialize in a friendly manner. It is often how kittens approach their mothers.
Sometimes, cats will even quiver their tail when sticking it straight up, which means they’re so happy to see you that they can’t even contain their excitement!
Tail Hanging Down
On the contrary, if your cat is walking with their tail straight down, it may indicate they do not want to be approached. They may be frightened, sad, or defensive, and it’s usually a sign to leave them be.
On occasion, I’ll notice my cat Luna walking around with her tail down. This is usually because my other kitten Hazel is trying to play with her, and she is not in the mood to be played with. This often passes after Luna gets her cat nap, and then she’s happy as can be and ready to play!
If your cat’s tail isn’t hanging all the way down to the ground, but rather is hanging in a more neutral position, your kitty is likely just relaxed.
Puffed-Up Tail
Seeing a cat with its tail puffed up is commonplace when cats (especially black cats) are portrayed around Halloween. This is because a puffed-up tail means a cat is frightened, was taken by surprise, or there is an imminent threat. Sometimes a puffed-up tail is accompanied by an arched back, which further indicates them feeling threatened.
It’s best to leave kitty alone if you see a puffed-up tail. Let them calm down and try to approach them later when they seem more relaxed.
Thumping or Twitching Tail
If you see your cat thumping their tail on the ground or twitching it, it usually means they are feeling a little annoyed or agitated by something. It could be something you are doing to annoy them. Or, it could be another animal nearby that they don’t appreciate being in their space. Best to leave them be for now!
A twitching tail might not always indicate an irritated kitty, however. If you see your cat twitching the end of their tail while playing with a toy, it could also be their hunting instinct kicking in.
Swaying Tail
Cats will frequently sway their tail back and forth when they are feeling curious or playful. You can compare this to a dog wagging their tail. You will also notice them swaying their tail back and forth when zoned in on a target, such as a toy or prey. This swaying will usually be a lot slower than their annoyed thumping or twitching we talked about before.
Wrapping Their Tail Around
Consider yourself lucky if a cat ever wraps its tail around you. Cats wrap their tails around things that they are feeling affectionate towards as a sign of acceptance. You’ll often see this when a cat is rubbing up against you, which is another way cats communicate their affection or acceptance by marking their scent.
How do Cats With Short Tails Communicate?
Do you happen to have a cat with a short tail? Cats can have short tails for a variety of reasons. They may have had their tail removed due to infection or trauma. Or, they may just be a breed of cat that has a short tail, such as an American Bobtail like my kitten Hazel, or a Manx.
Cats with short tails often have to rely on other forms of communication, especially when interacting with other animals. They will use their eyes, whiskers, vocalizations, and other body language besides their tails to express themselves.
It’s hard to not notice when a cat with a short tail is excited or happy, however. They will often wag their little tail very fast like a dog, especially American Bobtails, and it’s so adorable!
Also, cats with short tails can and will puff up their tails when scared or threatened. It just looks more like a little cotton ball!
In Conclusion
Cats have a wide range of tail language that they use to communicate with the outside world, other animals, and their humans. Understanding this language will allow you to recognize how your kitty is feeling and how to best meet their needs. After all, we all want our fur babies to be as happy and as healthy as can be!
About the Author
Caitlyn is a mama to her two adorable fur babies, Luna and Hazel. Luna is a tabby cat who survived Feline Infectious Peritonitis when she was just 5 months old, and Hazel is a spunky little American Bobtail. Caitlyn runs a blog called Caitycat, where she covers topics for multi-cat households including wellness, companionship, and more!
