Have you ever wondered how much control your cat has over their tail? Do they even realize it’s there, and if so, can they control each movement?
While it might seem foreign to us, cats have a great deal of voluntary control over their tails, much the same way that we can control our fingers and arms. Since they can consciously move and position their tails, they use them for various functions, including communication and balance. While cats have a great deal of voluntary control over their tails, some tail movements can also occur automatically in response to emotions, arousal, or other nervous system activity.
But how does your cat use their tail to communicate, what does it mean, and how do they use their tail to help balance themselves? We answer all those questions and more for you here.
What Does a Cat’s Tail Movements Mean?
Since cats have a great deal of control over their tails, they use them in a wide variety of ways. Chief among the reasons for tail movements is communication. If you know what you’re looking for, you can gather valuable insight into how they’re feeling.
Here, we’ve highlighted four of the most common tail positions and movements. Keep in mind that tail language isn’t always intentional communication; some movements can occur automatically when a cat is excited, frightened, irritated, or highly focused.
Straight Tail
If you notice that a cat has a completely straight tail, one that is pointing straight up, chances are that they’re feeling friendly, confident, or interested in social interaction. A tail held upright is often used as a greeting toward familiar people or other cats.
Slightly Curled Tail
If you’re a good cat owner and your cats feel comfortable at home, you may often see them carry their tail in a relaxed position with a gentle curve. This can be a sign that a cat is relaxed and comfortable.
Look for a slight curve at the tip when they’re walking around or lying down. If they have this, then they’re likely feeling relaxed and content.
Tail Swishing Back and Forth
A swishing tail can have several meanings depending on the rest of your cat’s body language and the situation. For example, a cat concentrating on prey or a toy may swish their tail without consciously trying to communicate with anyone. The most common time that you’ll see this is when your cat is crouched and getting ready to pounce. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in an aggressive mood. In fact, it often signifies that they’re feeling focused, excited, or playful.
However, there is a significant exception to this, and that’s if they’re completely lying down. If your cat isn’t crouched but is lying down and thumping their tail against the ground, there’s a good chance that they’re feeling frustrated, irritated, or overstimulated.
If this is the case, you’ll need to find the source of their frustration to placate them and probably give them a wide berth in the meantime.
Fluffed-Up Tail
The most notable way your cat has to show you that they are on edge is by fluffing up their tail. They typically fluff up both their tail and the hair along their back, and if they’re doing this, they’re usually feeling frightened, defensive, or highly aroused.
If you get too close, they might lash out with claws or teeth. If they have a fluffed-up tail, give them a bit of space; they might need more time to adjust to their new surroundings.
Why Does My Cat Keep Hitting Me With Their Tail?
Have you ever sat down to watch a show or at the dinner table, only to have your cat come up to you and hit you with their tail over and over? If so, you’re not alone. The good news is that if your cat is doing this to you, they’re not trying to hurt you!
In fact, cats may brush or tap people with their tails for a variety of reasons, including friendly social interaction, attention-seeking, or because they want to be petted. Some cats may also do it when they want something, such as food, treats, or access to a favorite spot.
If your cat is hitting you with their tail, they’re usually doing it for attention; it’s up to you to decide how you want to respond and to find out what they want.
How Do Cats Use Their Tail to Balance?
If you took a cat’s tail away, you’d find that they couldn’t handle situations nearly as well as they used to. They could still balance and move around, but certain movements and maneuvers may become more challenging. A cat uses their tail as a counterweight. It’s an instinctual thing; a cat naturally uses their tail in the same way that a tightrope walker uses a balancing pole to help them stay balanced.
It might not make much sense to you, but it works remarkably well for your cat, and it’s why they can walk across small ledges and climb up difficult terrain with ease.
The next time that you watch your cat climbing across the back of the sofa or along another small surface, keep an eye on their tail. It might surprise you how well they adjust its position during each movement to enable them to climb with ease.
Should You Pull Your Cat’s Tail?
The short answer to this is a resounding no! A cat’s tail connects to their entire spinal column, and pulling it can cause pain and, in severe cases, may result in serious injuries to the nerves at the base of the tail.
While you’ll hear the opinions of dangerously misinformed people telling you that it’s like a massage for a cat, the associated risks make it a bad idea.
To be clear, some cats appear to enjoy having the base of their tail or lower back touched, but that doesn’t mean they enjoy having their tail pulled. It’s best to leave their tail alone, even if they do trust you with the occasional tail pull.
Conclusion
Your cat has a great deal of control over their tail in the same way that you can control your leg. They might not think of its location every second of every day, but do you think about how exactly you walk up the stairs?
When a cat needs to, they can move and position their tail with ease. It’s the same situation with many of your body parts, even if you don’t often think of it that way.
Of course, not every tail movement is deliberate. Just as you don’t consciously think about every movement your body makes, some tail movements can occur automatically in response to emotions, excitement, irritation, or other nervous system activity.
By knowing what your cat uses their tail for, you might find that you have a better understanding of what your cat is feeling and can bond with them more completely!
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Featured Image Credit: LuidmilaKot, Pixabay
What Does a Cat’s Tail Movements Mean?
