http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-cats-signal-with-their-tails.html
What Cats Signal With Their Tails
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living
My cat had such an expressive tail, I sometimes thought she was spelling out letters in an effort to communicate with me. Although she couldn’t form letters as well as, say, the cowboy or Indian chief could make a YMC or A, she could certainly say a lot. As it turns out, a cat’s tail does more than act as a rudder and provide balance–like dogs, cats use their tails to signal their moods.
According to Arden Moore, author of The Cat Behavior Answer Book (Storey, 2007) recognizing the messages delivered in tail talk can help you better communicate with your cat. Here are some key tail positions and what they mean.
Hoisted high
A confident, contented cat will hold her tail high in the air as she moves about her territory. A tail that is erect like a flagpole signals a happy mood or a friendly greeting. Cats often send this message as they approach a welcoming person. If the top third of the tail twitches as the cat nears you, this means he totally adores you.
Question mark
A tail looking bent in a question mark often conveys a playful mood. This would be a good time to engage in a five- or ten-minute play session.
Flying low
A tail positioned straight down, parallel to the legs, may represent an aggressive mood. Be wary. That said, there are exceptions to this rule. Some breeds, such as Persions, Exotics, and Scottish Folds, normally tend to carry their tails lower than their backs.
Tucked away
A tail curved beneath teh body signals fear or submission. Something is making the cat nervous.
Puffed up
A pipe cleaner of a tail reflects a severely agitated or frightened cat whi is trying to look bigger to ward off danger.
Whipping
A tail that whips rapidly back and forth indicates both fear and aggression. It is a warning that says “stay away.”
Swishing
A tail that swishes slowly from side to side usually means the cat is focused on an object. Cats often swish their tails right before they pounce on a toy mouse. It is part of their predatory positioning.
Twitching
A tail that twitches just at the tip is a sign of curiosity and excitement.
Cat-to-cat
A tail wrapped around another cat is equivalent to a person casually putting her arm around a favorite pal. It conveys feline friendship.
More from Melissa Breyer (501 articles available)
related stories
-
(21 comments)
-
(5 comments)
-
(68 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
57 comments
add your comment »thanks for the article. i find it useful for me to more understand my cat. :)
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
My cat, Rogie, strangely has a "sucking" story as well. When she was a kitty, she left for a few days and came back with an injured right hip/leg. Ever since then, she sucks on her hip as though she is nursing on her mother all the while kneading a blanket, bed, or perhaps a person if she is setting on you. It used to bother me and now I know it is very comforting to her and she only does it by those she loves!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
i dont completely agree with this article i have three cats and its true for two of them but my third cat tends to wag her tail almost like a dog when she is getting petted and she is purring the whole time so i know she is not in the least bit agrevated but when the tip of her tail twitches is when she is upset and to leave her alone and usualy you have to watch her ears to know what mood she is in.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I'd like to remind everypne who loves kitties that the Alley Cat Allies charity will let you send one of their mother's day kitty e-cards for a donation as low as $5. I donated ten dollars in my mother's name and sent her the e-card and she loved it. This is a very good charity that supports no-kill shelters and trap-neuter-release programs for feral cats. So if your mom is cat lover, she might appreciate it. Here's the link: https://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=588&srctid=1&erid=3530361
Happy Mother's Day to everyone!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Cats do some strange things in order to comfort themselves, Anna. Did your cat ever injure her tail? I know my mom's cat, Nimue (who turned out to be a boy..Oops) had his paw accidentally slammed in the door by my mom when he was a kitten. he still loves her best and doesn't blame her or anything, but when he's very happy and being petted or held, or just laying on the bed with my mom or someone else he feels close to, he'll start sucking on his paw - very hard and loud, too. It's so strange and adorable, because it really does look like he's sucking his thumb.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
My black female cat Shadow does something very very alternative, lol, instead of massaging her paws on a pillow or something else like other cats, she always sucks the tip of her tail for like 10 to 20 minutes while holding the middle of her tail with her paws, like she is holding a baby bottle, and she does it until she fells asleep, and she makes noise, like kissing noise... its so cute and funny at the same time.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Kuddos to the toilet trained cat! I wish my nine would do that. You should tell us all how you go about doing that.
When your cat "massages", mashes or kneads on something soft it is a comforting action for them. They did this to get milk out of their mother before they were weened. He/She may also try to suckle the soft item. It just means they are very content and comfortable or it may mean they were taken away from their mother too soon.
When your cat has no tail you can also tell their mood by their ears and body language. Flatened ears means they are really ticked and you or whomever should back away NOW. There are many other ways to tell their mood. Just watch them and pay attention. It takes some getting used to but you'll get it.
The tushy wiggle may be a territorial thing or it may mean that the cat is excited to see you or another pet they really like.
Rubbing their mouths against anything including you means they are marking their territory. Cats have pheremones in their cheeks. They rub on things to let others know they are there and that is their territory. It is also a comforting scent and is used to calm cats in stressful situations. It comes in sprays and oil plug ins and is by Feliway. You can find it at Petco. I use it and it works great for my multiple cat household. It is very expensive however.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Maria, When your cat kneads a pillow or the couch with her paws, it means she's extremely (almost hypnotically) content. Nursing kittens knead the belly of their mother like this--to stimulate her milk glands. Your cat is bringing back that warm, cozy feeling...
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
My two female Siamese Ragdoll kitties (9 mos - Precious - & Princess 10 months) have all the 'tail movements' so it was a joy to read your clarifying comments.
Princess - the oldest - decided to try to open the door to my bedroom and was literally throwing her body against the door - which I opened and startled both of us as she sailed by me into the hall.
This morning, I slept in until 9 AM and she began to jump against the living room wall connected to my bedroom...waking me to come give them a bit of food...Both are such a constant joy and too smart to believe! How in the world did she figure out how to do those things?
They often sleep with their 'arms' around each other and groom each other's head - at the same time. They are just a laugh a minute....
Thanks for your delightful tips.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Our cat does a strange thing -- she "massages" her paws usually on a pillow or any soft material like she's seriously playing the piano, with her paws' 'fingers' spread apart ... does anyone know what this means?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: