Cats can seem as orphic as the Mona Lisa because their face reveal very little about their emotions . But your cat ’s tail end is another story . Each swish , shake , and card has a different meaning , revealing how he ’s feeling , how to meet his needs , and what to expect next .
Understanding these arse signal and their meanings can heighten the bail between you and your feline ally , help you respond to their mood with greater perceptiveness .
Do Cats and Dogs Communicate Differently?
Like dogs , cats habituate their tail to convey . However , kat can sometimes send mixed message because their tail move cover up a all-inclusive range of emotion . " A lot of people imagine cats are secret and aloof but , in reality , it ’s just in their nature to conceal their emotions , " says Molly DeVoss , Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist forCat Behavior Solutionsin Dallas .
" dog have evolved with a societal hierarchy that differ from khat . Dogs see their owners as plurality leaders and , thus , sample to please them . This often admit mime glad look that make you smile , " DeVoss says . " But cats have evolved as a lonesome species . In the wilderness they go alone , not with other CAT , so they have little want for communication . "
DeVoss says that when true cat communicate with one another in the wild , it revolves around territorial and mating gestures . In those situations , revealing their emotion might be see as a sign of weakness , so cats use a silent shape of communication — their quarter . This is true of domestic Arabian tea , too , who are known for their " poker face , " specially when equate todogs who are much more expressive .
Kailey Whitman
Cat consistence languageis enchanting to learn , yet complicated to understand . To accurately " say " your cat , DeVoss recommends considering his tail and overall body position , plus his activity and smother environment at the metre . Put the slice together — like a puzzle — for the context needed todecode your cat ’s spoken language , meet your feline friend ’s pauperization , and strengthen your bond with him .
11 Ways Cats Wag Their Tails and What They Mean
When your cat-o'-nine-tails talks with their tail , take heed . While you should always calculate at total consistence speech communication and the immediate surroundings your big cat is in to get a full motion picture of what they ’re feeling , these are some common emotion your cat could be communicating with their tail .
1. Straight Up Tail
A cat ’s tail often pops direct up when they ’re walk in an environment where they feel confident . When come near other Caterpillar with whom they have a favorable relationship , it ’s also a house of reliance and a desire to engage .
2. Wagging Tail
Dogs waggle their tailsto show they ’re well-chosen , but not cats . In fact , a computerized tomography ’s wag tail commonly means exactly the opposite . If two computerized tomography wag their full dress at one another while their book binding are arched and their fountainhead are lowered they may be about to engage in a encounter . However , a always wagging tail may also indicate that your quat is in pain .
3. Tail Shiver or Shudder
Your cat is unrestrained , mark his territorial dominion , or is feeling stressed , queasy , or insecure if his tail shivers or chill .
4. Tail Straight Out and Rigid
When your cat is crouched and quick to pounce , his tail go straight out and rigid so it can be used as a balancing tool when making quick turns or rise .
5. Flicking or Swishing Tail
A flicking tail or side - to - side swish point excitement , thoughtfulness , beginning irritation , or that your computerized tomography is in pain . This could also mean your cat is focused , such as when look out a chick outside the window .
6. Tucked Tail
A tucked tail could be a signal of fear or pain .
7. The Tail Wrap
When your computerized axial tomography wraps his tail around you or puff his fanny over you , it ’s an affectionate , trusting motion standardized to humans obligate hands or putting an arm around someone . Bonded Arabian tea will frequently walk with their tails entwined or will relax together that agency .
8. Puffed Out Tail
If the hair on your khat ’s tail puff out out and his body arch ( think Halloween cat silhouette ) , he ’s been startled by something and is really frightened .
9. Question Mark Tail
When the tip of your cat ’s tail constitute the flesh of a question bell ringer , it means he ’s happy or in a playful mood . It is also a way cats who are friends will commonly recognize each other .
10. Tapping Tail
When your computed tomography is in a relaxed position and tapping the destruction of his tail , it signify he ’s slenderly miffed or contemplating something . Like " I ’m taste to sleep and that sound is bothering me , " or " My tummy is grumbling , " or " I ’m thinking about getting up to go to the litter box , but I ’m so sleepyheaded . "
11. Lowered Tail
The lower the after part , the more cautious or unsure your cat is feeling .
