How to Read Your Cat's Tail Language
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A cat’s tail is one of the most expressive aspects of feline body language. Learning to interpret your cat’s tail signs will give you greater insight to your kitty-cat’s moods and feelings, and is sure to improve your bond with your pet.
In this video, we will break down different feline tail positions and explain what your cat is trying to tell you.
An upright tail
When cats hold their tail straight up, it means that they are happy and confident.
You'll often see this tail position when you come home after a long day at work, or when a kitten greets her mother.
Interestingly, a research study conducted by Cameron-Beaumont in 1997 found that cats were willing to readily approach a cat-shaped silhouette if it had a raised tail, but they were very reluctant to approach the silhouette if it had a lowered tail.
Tail-up therefore seems to signal the intention that the cat is friendly and wants to interact with you or other cats.
Wrapping their tails around you
When your cat wraps their tail around you or others, they are trying to show love, relaxation and affection.
This tail stance essentially symbolizes friendship and love, similar to how humans wrap their arms around loved ones for a warm hug.
A cat may also wrap their tail around the tail of another cat. This is a sign that the two felines are friendly and have a strong bond.
A quivering tail
A “Quiver” is a rapid, tiny cat tail wagging action. More often than not, cats quiver their tail when they are very excited, like when you open a new can of cat food. It is a friendly greeting and indicates your cat is happy.
But remember, if a cat quivers their tail while holding their tail straight up and backing up against a vertical surface, then that cat is urine marking. Although both female and male cats spray a concentrated mix of urine, unneutered males are more likely to leave their mark to let the opposite sex know they're available.
A puffed-up tail
While some people think a puffed-up tail indicates aggression, it doesn’t.
A cat that fluffs up their tail is usually frightened or threatened. By puffing up, your cat is trying to appear bigger and more threatening to their opponent.
Tail held low
A lower tail often indicates your cat is frightened, anxious, afraid or defensive. Something in the cat's environment is making them uneasy.
And when the cat tucks their tail all the way under the body and between their legs, it is an unmistakable indicator that the cat is feeling nervous, submissive or frightened.
Twitching the end of the tail
Tail twitching is similar to tail wagging but often involves lots of flicks of the tail at its tip. Cats twitch the end of their tails when they are hunting or actively playing with a toy, as well as when they are mildly or frustrated or irritated.
Tail swaying slowly from side to side
This is when a cat moves its entire tail slowly from side to side.
More often than not, a slow swaying tail indicates that the cat is deeply concentrating on something, or is engaged in predatory behavior.
A Thumping Tail
You may think cats are as happy as dogs when they wag their tail, but they aren’t.
A tail that whips quickly back and forth with more ferocity than a graceful swishing, or one that thumps loudly against the floor indicates that a cat is unhappy, agitated or fearful. The angrier the cat is, the faster they thrash their tail back and forth.
A Question Mark Tail
You have probably noticed that your cat’s tail sometimes looks like a question mark-it stands upright and curls at the tip. This tail position often indicates that your cat is happy and friendly.
Symbolic of the question mark shape that it represents, this position can also mean that your cat is feeling curious about something.
Tail up at a 45-degree angle
A tail held out behind but angled up may mean your cat is unsure how to feel right now. They’re neither welcoming nor threatening.
Curling their tails around their bodies
If your cat is sitting or lying down with their tail curled tightly around their body, it means they are fearful, defensive, nervous, or feeling uncomfortable.
Tail hanging down with a curve
If your cat’s tail is hanging down with a dip near the base, it’s a sign that your feline friend is mildly afraid, or a little defensive. Remember, the lower a cat’s tail is, the more anxious or afraid they are. And all in all, a tail below the level of their back indicates some negative feelings.
Although the tail is the most expressive part of a cat’s body language, you should look at more than just their tail movements to fully understand their emotional state. Better understanding your cat’s body language will surely improve your bond with your feline.
Be sure to check our other videos to learn more about cat vocalizations, quirks and body language.
Пікірлер: 545
Interesting, my cat appears to be broken then lol. My cat puffs up her tail and meows loudly every time she wants to play. Her tail puffs, she looks you dead in the eye, then quickly runs off to be chased. If you don’t chase her, she’ll keep coming back until you do. I’ve noticed her tail also puffs when we give her treats or when she gets excited. She’s so cute 🥰
@LittleKittyCat
2 жыл бұрын
My cat does that as well when she's playful. Looks me dead in the eyes, chirps, then runs away for me to chase her. Sometimes she hides and jumps out to grab my leg then runs away.
@ASMRMagic
2 жыл бұрын
@@LittleKittyCat Awww, your kitty sounds adorable too, it’s so cute when they get excited to play. What colour is she? 😻
@LittleKittyCat
2 жыл бұрын
@@ASMRMagic She's an orange and white long-haired domestic. 😊❤
@rainxplayz4242
2 жыл бұрын
Awww that is soo cute! 🥰
@katrinalynn6194
2 жыл бұрын
Was she separated from her mommy & siblings before she was 10-12 weeks old? I only ask because my kitten also has mixed signals (not the "normal" cat body language) & she was a rescue, but they couldn't catch her mom so they had to take the kittens at just over 3 weeks old) & keep trying to catch mom. Then she was given to me when she was 6 weeks old but just big enough to get her 1st shots. My other cat I got from a home breeder at 12 weeks old. Her body language is spot on. A cat's body language is half genetically programmed, but the other half is learned behaviors from watching mom & playing with siblings. If they miss out on that other half or only get a small example of it, they don't learn that body language & then you end up with mixed signals. Especially if you don't have another, older cat to be an example for them. Even then, beware. If the older cat has bad habits they WILL teach the younger cat. I know that for a fact because until my kitten got around my cat who likes to clean her feet in the drinking water (she's so dainty she must wash her feet in the drinking water after she eats dinner, after she uses the litter box, etc. Ragdolls, amirite?) she NEVER put her feet in the water bowl. Once she saw my older cat doing it...well, monkey see, monkey do. Now I can't get either of them to keep their paws out of the drinking water. That's why I had to get fountains. It's also why I have to clean them weekly.
Cats tails are SO expressive! It's actually one of the main ways cats communicate with each-other. Thanks for this vlog, it was really interesting!
@StopItGarrison
Жыл бұрын
This is not a vlog
@rhamlet5290
Жыл бұрын
@@StopItGarrison What is a vlog then?
@StopItGarrison
Жыл бұрын
@R Hamlet A video log. Typically of a creator's life or day. Possibly just a specific event or routine. Definitely not just a cartoon.
@rhamlet5290
Жыл бұрын
@@StopItGarrison This is not a cartoon. It is just a short, informational video. Blogs were also used for things like recipes, DIY, etc. There is nothing wrong with calling this a vlog even though the term has mostly died off.
@StopItGarrison
Жыл бұрын
@@rhamlet5290 this still isn't a vlog. So sorry boutcha. Have a good night!
There's always an exception to the rule. One of my cats wags his tail like a dog and he IS happy. While doing this he head butts me, rubs up against me and purrs very loudly. He also has a smiley expression on his face. He is a very loving cat, definitely a cuddlebug.
@gabrielleperson4794
2 жыл бұрын
We had a foster kitten that did that
@art_art1716
2 жыл бұрын
Same
@Daisiest
8 ай бұрын
Same with my cat, whenever he wags his tail I stop petting him thinking he's annoying and the moment I stop, he rubs her head on my legs or hand demanding more petting and ears scratches
@ChordChaserz
7 ай бұрын
Same
My favorite is the "quivery" tail. It's like she's so excited, she can't stand it.
My cat has a "flip" switch and he actually insists that I pull his tail so he can flip over for a belly rub, he's hilarious
@pavandeepkaur7416
10 ай бұрын
😂😂😂
My cat wraps her tail around me. I always call her my best friend and it’s lovely to know she feels the same 😻
@pujaonwebs
2 жыл бұрын
I guess I'm not the only one!
@04astrid4c5
10 ай бұрын
@@pujaonwebs same! every time I open my door to go fed her she always meows and purrs at me! when I sometimes crouch or squat she comes to me and goes around me and make purring sounds!
Having had two lovely pet cats 🐈 I’ve realised that when a cat loves you There is absolutely nothing better in the world Yes nothing Not even a dogs love When a cat loves you it’s amazing
@katrinalynn6194
2 жыл бұрын
When they come running into the bedroom in the morning & jumps on you, tail all aquiver & gives you head butts, there's nothing better in the world, right? When they wanna love love all over you? My cats follow me around the house like a dog except I don't have to worry about picking up shit off my floor or cleaning pee spots. I've had both cats & dogs. While I loved my dogs all they do is destroy shit. Cats are clean creatures. Personally, I prefer cats. But I'm a cat person. After all, my name is Kat.
@daniyahaider6468
2 жыл бұрын
@@katrinalynn6194 i love cats and i am a cat person but i lost my cat now i dont want any pet other then my lost cat
@daniellledeclue1299
2 жыл бұрын
I have five pet cats and they all are house cats, my cat, Goose is always purring and laying with me
@penelopelester5083
2 жыл бұрын
A dog lovers answer to that: Yea, cat affection is one of the rarest things ever My answer to that: YES BECAUSE YES
@kumberlykopp1637
Жыл бұрын
They r awesome.
The more we responded to our cats the more we communicated …I love kitty cats!
@kumberlykopp1637
Жыл бұрын
Me 2
@Q11111Q
10 ай бұрын
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Upright tail = happy and confident Wrapping their tails around you = affection, relaxation, love A quivering tail = excited so much A puffed up tail = frightened or threatened Tail held low = anxious,frightened,defensive Between legs = nervous, submissive,frightened Twitching the end of the tail = hunting or playing a toy Tail swaying slowly form side to side = deeply concentrating something or engaged in predatory behavior A thumping tail = unhappy, agitated, fearful A question mark tail = happy, friendly The sleepy flick = cat is sleeping mf Tail up at 45- degree angle = unsure how to feel rn Curling their tails around their bodies = fearful, defensive, nervous or uncomfortable Tail hanging down with a curve = feline is midly or lil defensive
@tensei1710
2 ай бұрын
Mine thumps when hes happy tho? He even purrs
I love it when I walk through the door and my little Ruthie runs up to me with her tail straight up!
@moonstruck562
2 жыл бұрын
That's such a beautiful name ❤ Mine's Maggy (:
@belmum1689
2 жыл бұрын
@@moonstruck562 Well my cats name is Treasure b/c she is a treasure
@moonstruck562
2 жыл бұрын
@@belmum1689 aww I'm sure you treasure every minute with her
@belmum1689
2 жыл бұрын
@@moonstruck562 lol we do she brings us so much joy and entertainment we couldn't imagine our life without her
@Fireaspider
2 жыл бұрын
FULLY ERRECT ??
My cat Mouse is extremely friendly and loving to everyone. He loves people and other animals. His tail is always raised and the tip of his tail is shaped like a question mark. When he’s laying down I talk to him with baby talk and his tail starts wagging like crazy. It’s just so adorable!! 🥰
@Man_fay_the_Bru
2 жыл бұрын
Lmao…I talk to my little kitten in a baby voice too.
@f1amewolf
2 жыл бұрын
Omg same
@Kayenne54
11 ай бұрын
My dad used to have Siamese cats. When he went into the kitchen, they'd walk down the hallway towards the kitchen, tails all shaped like question marks. That's when I realized they're all asking "Is he getting us food? What's he doing??" And my cat would sleep under the bed or couch. I'd spot her, pretend I didn't notice, and call her name. Every time I said her name, the tip of her tail would twitch. "Heck yeah, I'm answering you, but can't be bothered to get up".
@joyfulmornings
11 ай бұрын
@@Kayenne54 that’s so cute!! 🥰🥰
@Kayenne54
11 ай бұрын
@@joyfulmornings But the look she gives me. "Humans are soooo dumb!!" 😁😁
Strays at my neighborhood always approach me with their tails straight up. Good to know they appreciate seeing me after feeding them!
I met a lil friend called Titan today. This is the first time we met and- oh I'm so 💖 to know they where so happy to meet me.
I walk my cat on a leash. When he is walking at a good pace, his tail moves slightly back and forth. When he stops, it always starts wagging almost like a dog. He doesn't seem stressed; I think it may just be a way he helps sense the environment around him when he is constantly changing locations on a walk.
@livingstone8347
11 ай бұрын
Maybe stressed he's on a leash.
@robertd9850
11 ай бұрын
@@livingstone8347 No he isn't. He runs to the door every morning and evening for his walks. He loves it because he gets to be outside.
@Daisiest
8 ай бұрын
@livingstone8347 cats can be taught to walk on leash, if you do it correct way cat won't be stressed and will be comfortable walking this way. I'm sure stressed cat would act differently from what described
@faithschlotzhauer3017
8 ай бұрын
@@Daisiestmy cat prefers her carrier over a leash I tried putting one on mine and she wanted nothing to do with it
@whitemamba0089
3 ай бұрын
Yea a cat being outside is gonna do shit a little more different then one in a safe ass house where theres no threats
There are two cats outside and I always see them create a heart with their 2 tails
Tail hugs are to be treasured
This is a great video and good info about cats. Thank you for explaining about the tail quivering. My cat does that too. Now I now he’s happy. My other cat can’t have a brush or clip his claws until he’s relaxed and laying on his back being sleepy.
@angeldark404
Жыл бұрын
My cats do this quivering thing when they are marking territory. Especially around the cars and outdoor mobile items.
@Q11111Q
10 ай бұрын
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
My eldest, Mister Harry has a permanent stumpy question mark for a tail. We were told when we took him on that his tail got broken as a kitten. It causes him no distress but I think of it as a minor speech impediment. He shows plenty of affection in other ways and is a happy healthy old boy (we've had him more than ten years and he was fully grown when we first had him)
Well done, alot of half attempts to explain this. your vidoe was bang on full of details
My previous cat had no tail he was a bobcat My new cat has a very fluffy big tail so this is a great thing for me to learn Thank you 😀
@robertdaddario8186
2 жыл бұрын
Aa
@triplus198
2 жыл бұрын
Bobcats are big cats
@winchesters4life34
2 жыл бұрын
I think you mean manx perhaps, which often are tailless. a bobcat is a wild cat, and not a suitable pet in pretty much all situations.
@TheSidewindingCobra
8 ай бұрын
@@winchesters4life34figure he means bobtail My grandmother is the world's worst about call all bobtail cats bobcats
Thank you this help me to know what my cats saying! One of my cat is happy and confident
My cat learned that I come home from school with the bus, and now every time she sees or hears the bus she runs to it to see me. It's very cute and I always make sure to pet her. ❤️
First I want to say that I really like your content. I am a small KZreadr who creates dog/cat-related videos, and I have to say that your content really inspired me! Thank You so much ! hope you can get 10M subscribers soon!
There is another tail move: tail held out back, baleful stare, then cat turns away with a definite upward flick of the tail in your direction. That is a cats way of giving you the finger! Usually when you tell him off for something, or refuse to produce food on demand.
I was watching an old movie made by MGM. My cat walked into the room just as the lion roared. Her tail blew up instantly! Funny as hell.
My cat used to live in a bad home so his tail was broken so he always has it in the a hock. But when he gets excited his tail puffs up as big as a racon tail😸
OMG thank you so much I five cats and they do that every day I have no idea what that means thank you for making this video it means a lot to me and my cat from Kentucky
I love it
Very Nice Video, Lots of Information for Cat Owners. I Love Cats. ♥️🖤💚🐈
Newsflash! We cat people know what mood are cats are in. If you're a bit inattentive and slow the cat will help "learn" you. They are very adaptive and persistent.
@leighannkst93
2 жыл бұрын
LOL exactly
Thank you very helpful
Thanks for this information.
Watching this as my cat daughter naps next to me 🥰💚!
3:29 "In such cases, it's best to leave your pet alone and moonwalk into the next room"
What about when the cat is sitting and wraps their tail around their front paws. Seems more regal and “surveying the kingdom” than fearful?
@katrinalynn6194
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I'm wondering about that too. My ragdoll wraps her tail around her, but she doesn't look nervous, she looks relaxed. She loves to flop onto the floor in front of me & then pulls her feet up to her head, wraps her tail around her body & looks up at me all cute & mews for attention. That's her "look, mom, I'm flexible & cute! Give me pets & love!" Not all the time, if their tail is wrapped tight does it mean they're uncomfortable or nervous. My ragdoll is very expressive. When she's unhappy or nervous you know it. She is a panicky cat, so if she doesn't feel comfortable, you know it. She also gets clingy when she's not comfortable or nervous. She won't leave my side & she freaks out if she can't see me if she feels unsafe.
My cat will lay right next to me and start whipping her tail back and forth very hard. She also has an angry look on her face. Why come to me if you're just going to get annoyed by my presence?!
They r so cute and this video also helps a lot thank u
I have a cat called Boe, got her March 2021 when she was 11 months old, wouldn't be without her now. Great company, especially as I was living alone not by choice though.
Thank you great information
THANK YOU FOR THIS HELPFUL INFORMATION 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I'M A NEW KITTEN OWNER ( TUXEDO KITTEN ) 🥰
Great info....ty!
So cute!!
Good video! Thanks! 😺
Thank you
to make it easy to remember: * 120° -> 45° angle : positive mood * 0° angle = neutral mood ( hunting / focusing on something etc) * negative angle / slamming tail against the ground / wagging tail = bad mood
Everytime i rub my cat beside the ear he drops down and goes into a side laying position and then if i keep rubbing beside the ear then he starts purring and rolling side to side and rubbing his hand of his face its so cute
My kittens both have tails that bend forward so that they lay against their backs!!🥰
My neighbor's cat sometimes wants to abandon anything to play with me, and sometimes wishes I would never pet her again (but never, ever attacks). When she's happy, she walks quickly to me with an upright tail and a happy meow. I often sit on the ground and let her sit on my lap. Sometimes, I want her to leave before she's ready, and she somehow senses it and leaves unhappily before I get to move my legs. She would then lie on the ground, tail thumping, probably angry with me. If I pet her again, especially in sensitive areas like her tail (which she usually lets me pet), she would get away from me. If I try to pet her again, she would give an unhappy meow, even a scream, before running for cover. Before we became close friends, though, the cat sometimes attacked me if I want too far, and she caused me to bleed more than once.
My cat lays with me all the time... His tail is always straight and always purrs! I wonder if he's always happy, I always will love cats
Omg this is amazing cuz my cat is a fighter for my family and animals
This is good to know thanks
I just walked up to our kitten and she just had a question Mark tail ! She’s so cute!
My cats are listen very well and the eldest was formerly a street cat born and raised in the woods behind a culdesac
Roy Rogers tipped me off to the importance of the posture of a cat's tail in his signature song: Happy tails to you Until we meet again Happy tails to you Keep purring until then …
@jaw-dropping facts could you do a video on cat’s ears positions?
thank you so much
My cat is always happy- her tail is up all he time lol😹
My cat quivers his tail every time I feed her.so funny to watch
A tail puffed up could also indicate playfullness. My cat does thing sometimes when she is extremely playful and isn't at all frightened or threatened.
My cats software has malfunctioned then, cus they always raise their tail when they are demanding food or water. i love them so much
thanks
My cat is so sweet
Great video
awe
My kitties tail sways from side to side when I’m talking to him, so he’s either listening intensely or thinking of ways to hunt me 😂😂😂
I don't even have a cat but yet I've been learning so much about them
Like this information provided my 🐱was his tail up curls up if he get own way ways it
My cat only does the tail puffed. I've had him for a year and he doesn't stop he used to be an indoor and outdoor cat but he's just in door now because he's not fixed because I want to breed him but he doesn't show fear or anger just love what does that mean
Thanks! I can understand what my cats want to say me.I got superpower.
My cat loves me and i love him too. and he’s gray and follows me wherever. I go.
Me: *finally having a rest* My floppa: I DEMAND FOOD
My cat thumps her tail sometimes when she lies down on the top of the recliner. I think its more to do with boredom.
There's a stray cat outside my house and every time i go outside he rubs himself on me
one reason I watch this video: so I know how my cats are feeling❤️ bc I love them
When my cat is angry he sweeps the floor clean
after watching this i have concluded that my cat is always happy or confident 😂 must be nice
I’m sorry, I laughed my ass off when the tail was compared to a question mark.
Please explain this to my cat 😁
My oldest cat shakes her tail when I get up in the morning. She must be so glad I woke up
~I once had a cat whose tail did a corkscrew motion!~It was really funny to see?!~
I have outside and one of them I call Pumpkin (since she's a calico) is super sassy to other cats since she is very overprotective of us, and this other cat came and we called her mean momma since she had a kitten and was mean to everyone, but he time pumpkin had enough and beat up mean momma.. she had her tail in her legs so I knew she was sacred. Anyway thanks for this video I need to know what mood my cats are in so thanks.
Also, tail pointing straight backwards, without curve or angle, while standing or walking, means "attending to business, no time for socializing"; there's some tension, but mostly focus. You'll see it most often in tomcats. It can also signify being tired, hungry, and fed up, in which case the business is "food and a nap". Don't ask what the business is, though. If the cat doesn't tell you, it means you're probably better off not knowing.
My cats always happy ☺️
5:17 I laughed so hard when it got faster and faster lmao
My cats always have the question mark tail. Nice to know what it means
@JusticeGort
2 жыл бұрын
yeah same for me
as i recall, the Cheshire Cat had something to say about tail-wagging.
Nice 😃👍
I have 5 cats and one of my cats does the tail twitching a lot and she looks adorable xd she also makes snoring noises when she’s awake and sleeps with her eyes open she looks funny
@chimenychime
2 жыл бұрын
If shes snoring when awake make sure she doesnt have any boogies around her nose!! Its not a bad thing but just to keep their nose clear of boogers 💕
The question mark tail is a good sign we call "the welcome tail". Our cats will move towards us with this type tail.
Just put my boy down this week and is heart broken. I wish I could see his rattle snake one more time.
Thankyou this was really helpfull!My cat always in the morning wakes me up in my bed and runs immediatly to the kitchen.That means she wants food i quess lol.Tho y cats tail is only a half tail because when she was a bit smaller she was allowed to walk free in the neighborhood.But one night she came back with her tail and leg badly injured.It seemed she had fighted a fox.But no worries her leg wasn't that bad only her tail was broken i guess, so the vet had to cut it smaller.But shes alright and happy and she can still climb on the fence tho she has a small tail.Now we just go for a walk with her and don't let her free because i'm scared she would meet a fox again.
Every time i pet my cat or feed her her tail goes up, I never knew what it ment but that makes me feel so good
Best tail signal from a cat is when it is in a cray pot about to be slung overboard.
My cat would often swat his tail on the floor when he lays on the floor and I call his name and he just looks at me like I am disturbing his peace
I LOVE CATS HAVE EIGHT CATS INDOOR AND THEY ARE PURRFECT CATS ❤️♥️
i have white persain cat and my cat behave just like you show in this video u r ryt👍
As an owner of a tailless cat, I see this as an absolute win
Do cats know these signals by instinct or do they learn them as kittens? One of my cats was an orphaned kitten and only had her siblings, and I notice she has her tail down a lot, even just when exploring the house (we've lived here for years). She will put her tail up sometimes when she's feeling very affectionate, but overall she's not an affectionate cat and I'm just wondering if maybe she's unhappy
Thank you now I know what it means I have two cats there are fluffy
At 1:38, where a quivering tail is mentioned, is a new one to me. I've had cats since I was 8 years old (I am 50 now), & I have never seen any of them do this. 🤷♀
@robinpayne7974
Жыл бұрын
My maine coon cat "Mikey" quickly quivers his tail when he wants to bepetted all over. This is friendly behavior as far as I can tell.