Flicking or swishing back and forth: Afraid or playful
A cat’s tail typically swishes back and forth when they feel afraid. That said, this posture can also suggest a playful mood. Paying attention to other clues can help you decipher their mood. For instance, a stiff body position and flattened ears may point to fear.
Happy Cat Tail Movements
Quivering: Generally speaking, a quivering cat tail indicates that the cat is happy to see you. Urine marking is another possible cause, though it is less frequent in fixed cats.
Wrapped Around Your Leg: Well done—you just got a cat hug! Cats frequently greet their humans by putting their tails around their legs.
Straight Up in the Air: A very content cat would exhibit this behavior. Cats frequently approach their humans in a friendly manner, tails erect. Occasionally, a tiny hook that resembles a question mark will appear at the end of the tail. This indicates that your cat is at ease and content to see you.
Wrapped Around You or Another Pet
As a gesture of friendship and affection, cats may also curl their tails around the body or tail of another cat. Your cat may wrap his tail around your arm when he feels particularly at ease in your company. This is your cat’s way of saying, “I love you. ”.
Understanding Your Cat’s Tail: The Basics
One way that cats interact with people and other cats and animals is by wagging their tails.
A cat’s long, swishy tail is an essential feature. The majority of domestic cat species have between 18 and 20 caudal vertebrae in their tail, which is a continuation of their spine. The components of a cat’s tail are fur, skin, blood vessels, nerves, and a tiny amount of muscle. A cat’s tail is controlled by its nerve supply and moves in response to stimuli.
Certain cat breeds, like the Manx, are born with a shortened or absent tail. It is more difficult to assess these cat breeds’ behavior because tail positioning cannot be used as a basis.
A cat’s tail does not function solely in communication. Additionally, it serves as a counterbalance when a cat is walking on a narrow path, helps the cat balance when running or jumping, and is crucial when the cat is tracking prey. After all, cats are vertically-inclined creatures. Whether they are in the wild or at home, they frequently jump and climb when they are not sleeping up to 18–20 hours a day.
A cat’s general health depends on having a healthy tail, and tail injuries can cause our cats great pain, discomfort, and worry.
Even though the spinal cord itself ends before the tail, cats may sustain traumatic spinal injuries as a result of nerve damage to the tail, such as that caused by pulling on the tail. Tail fractures can also occur.
It may be necessary for a veterinarian to amputate a tail if the injury is severe or does not heal. Thankfully, most cats tolerate this surgical procedure quite well.
FAQ
What does a cats flicking tail mean?
Why do cats flick their tail when lying down?
Why does my cat flick his tail while cuddling?
Why is my cat flicking me with his tail?