If you’re mystified by your cat’s tail-wagging behavior, you’re not alone. But experts say that a feline’s swishing tail may be one of the key ways to understand what your cat is thinking. Show
“If a cat is wagging their tail, they’re trying to communicate,” Cherice Roth tells Inverse. Roth is the chief veterinary officer at Fuzzy, which provides telehealth veterinary care and vet-approved products. But it can be hard to parse out the subtle emotional differences between various tail movements. In this guide, Inverse interviews experts to break down the complex behavioral science behind your feline’s swishing tail so you can develop a better relationship with your pet. “Reading what their tail is saying is an easy way to keep a cat healthy and happy,” Roth adds. If your cat is swishing its tail while focused on an object or prey, it might be getting ready to play or pounce.Getty A cat’s moving tail can mean a number of different things including excitement, uncertainty, displeasure, or pain, Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training specialist who runs the nonprofit Cat Behavior Solutions, tells Inverse. The speed of the wagging, the position of the tail, and other body language cues can help clue you into what it means. Lindsay Butzer, a veterinarian affiliated with pet company Zesty Paws, tells Inverse that a deliberate “swishing” of the tail could indicate your pet is honing in to pounce on a target such as a mouse or a toy. “On the other hand, if you notice rapid swishing that doesn’t accompany any pouncing or playing activities, it’s more likely that they are perturbed and need some time alone,” Butzer says. Your cat’s tail motions go far beyond swishing, and the position or general movement of your feline’s tail may reveal striking insight into their mood, says Butzer. A puffy and flared upright cat tail indicates a cat is scared and trying to make itself look bigger by arching its tail over its back and angling its body sideways. This fluffy tail behavior — also known as piloerection — may be accompanied by hissing. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian at PetKeen, tells Inverse that a flared tail typically indicates anger. Conversely, “if the tail is upright with a little hook shape at the end, potentially resembling a question mark, then that means they’re happy and come in peace,” Butzer says. Roth adds that some cats will affectionately “hug” their owners while being petted by hooking their tails around their humans’ hands, arms, or neck. Meanwhile, a low and tucked cat tail suggests the cat is nervous. DeVoss says that a frightened cat will hold its tail low — practically touching the floor — and tucked between its legs. “If a cat is nervous and doesn’t feel like they can get away, they’ll crouch close to the ground and tuck their tail around their body or between their legs,” Roth says. Finally, a horizontal tail held parallel to the floor suggests the cat could be uncertain of its environment. Your pet’s tail twitching could indicate they are dreaming. Getty “Tail movement alone isn’t usually enough to discern the mood or temperament of a cat,” Butzer says. To fully understand your cat’s tail swishing behavior, you need to pay attention to the bigger picture. “The eyes, ears, and stance combined with tail position and movement are important clues to what the cat is feeling,” DeVoss says. Is your cat swishing its tail in the corner of the room by itself? It’s probably not in the best mood. But Butzer says if your cat wags its tail while playing or stalking, then its tail swishing likely signals excitement, focus, or engagement with the activity. The kind of noises your cat makes while tail swishing can also help you interpret your cat’s behavior.
“Tail movement while purring is interesting because it can mean that the cat is self-soothing,” Roth says. Contrary to popular belief, purring may not always indicate happiness, but it does signal your pet is trying to feel better, much like a baby sucking its thumb, Roth explains. “Generally, the quicker a cat’s tail is flicking back and forth the more likely it is that they’re on edge or put off in some way,” Butzer says. If your cat is quickly swishing its tail for a prolonged time — while not performing any other activities — along with any pouncing, it’s probably not a good idea to play with your pet then. “When the tail is fully and rapidly wagging, they are about to attack prey or another cat,” DeVoss says. Similarly, Roth says that a cat swishing its tail while looking at a toy or another cat probably means it’s about to jump and play. Speed of tail swishing can also indicate your pet’s emotional state of mind. Roth summarizes the different speeds of feline tagging. Slow and low swishing likely means the cat is slightly annoyed. A low tail flicking quickly back and forth signals unhappiness and may indicate the cat is prepared to defend itself. If you notice this behavior, give your pet some space and let your cat hide if it wants. Finally, a “rapid swishing motion” indicates a cat is happy, playful, and mentally stimulated. Fact-paced tail wagging combined with other telltale behavioral cues can also reveal whether your cat is agitated or not. “Rapid tail movement, along with pinned ears, a tense body, and growling usually indicate anger, annoyance or distress,” Bonk says. DeVoss says she has witnessed cats moving their tail while sleeping — a common observation for many feline owners. Just as sleeping humans might involuntarily move their bodies in response to changes in their environment — like their partner getting up from bed or the noise of a passing vehicle — cats also exhibit the same behavior. Butzer says cats are known to be light sleepers. If something is happening but not important enough to crawl out of bed, cats will usually acknowledge it with a “flick of the tail.” “Cat tail movement while they’re asleep usually indicates an involuntary response to something they hear but don’t fully acknowledge by opening their eyes or getting up,” Butzer says. Bonk adds, “It can also mean that a cat is feeling content and safe enough to continue to sleep even though they may have been momentarily awakened. While we don’t know much about cat sleep (or human sleep), many experts believe cats do dream. Bonk and Roth say that muscle twitching occurs commonly when cats sleep, which can also involve twitching of the feet and tail muscles. DeVoss says her cat’s lips will also twitch as if trying to meow in its sleep. By observing your pet’s sleepy tail twitching behavior, you can gain some insight into their dream world. “It’s likely whatever they are dreaming about matches scenarios where they would express their feelings with their tails when they are awake,” Roth says. But despite all your best efforts, some cats will just send mixed signals. If something seems off, contact your veterinarian. DeVoss remembers being troubled by one cat’s odd behavior, which included swishing its tail high up in the air and shin biting. It turns out the cat had arthritis. “I suspected she might have been in pain and asked the clinic to evaluate her. Lucky was swishing the tail because she was feeling pain,” DeVoss explains.
A cat will often use its tail to convey emotions, swishing it from side to side or thumping it on the ground. Each wag can have a different meaning, but new owners in particular might find it tricky to interpret their pet's body language. Below, experts set out what your cat might be trying to tell you with its tail. Why Does My Cat Wag Its Tail?It's important to pay attention to what your cat's tail is doing, along with the rest of its body language, animal behaviorist Zazie Todd told Newsweek. "If it's only a small movement, and if it only involves the tip of the tail, most likely it's just telling you that the cat is paying attention. If it's a bigger, wider swish, then it's most likely a distance-increasing signal—the cat would like more distance between them and you." Cats also have a "distance-decreasing signal," said Todd, the author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. "There's a lovely signal where they have the tail straight up, often with a little hook in it, at the top. This is a distance-decreasing signal—a sign that happens between friends, whether that friend is another cat or a person." What Does a Cat's Tail Wag Mean?Different cats use signals differently. Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, medical director of Bond Vet in New York City, explained that some swish their tail back and forth when they're excited while others do it when they're unhappy. "This could mean they are stalking prey or a toy, or maybe they are just watching a bird outside the window. In other cases, a cat indicates that they are annoyed or that they dislike something that is happening by swishing their tail," she told Newsweek. Here, Vicki Jo Harrison, president of the the International Cat Association, sets out her guide for interpreting tail wags and body language cues: Low Wagging Tail"A cat wagging its tail low is generally an indicator that they're scared or anxious," Harrison told Newsweek. "The low wag may be accompanied with pinned-back ears and their body crouched low to the ground." Low Wag, Tail Tucked Between Legs or Wrapped Around Their Bodies"If your cat's tail is tucked between their legs, this indicates that they are really scared or may be experiencing pain. When you see this, end your interaction with your cat and ensure that your cat's environment is free of stressors. "If your cat crouches with their tail curled tightly around their body for more than a few days, then an evaluation by your veterinarian is warranted to rule out pain or illness." Slow or Quick Swish"When your cat slowly swishes their tail from side to side, they may be intently focused on something like a toy or another animal. If their tail begins to swish quickly from side to side, it means they are feeling playful and ready to pounce. Their quick swishing tail may be coupled with dilated pupils and forward pointed ears." Quick Twitch"If you notice your cat's tail doing a short, quick twitch, it usually indicates they are concentrating, hunting, playing or mildly irritated. Cats typically display this language when they are window watching a small animal or bird. The wagging is often accompanied by chirping or chattering." Stock image of a cat hunting a toy. If your cat swishes its tail from side to side quickly while stalking "prey," it's probably about to pounce. Getty ImagesQuivering Tail"A tail quiver means they're especially excited to see you or another cat. Your cat will approach you with their tail high up in the air and the tip will do a little quivering movement, similar to how a rattlesnake shakes their tail. "Sometimes, when a cat quivers his tail while holding it straight up and backing up against a vertical surface, they may be urine marking." Thrashing or Thumping"When your cat thrashes their tail, or is thumping it on the ground, they are irritated, annoyed or angry. If you're petting your cat and they start thrashing their tail, they are trying to tell you to stop. If you don't, the thrashing tail may be a prelude to hissing, growling, swatting or biting." Wrapping Tail Around Owners"When your cat wants to show you affection, they may wrap their tail around your hand, arm or even neck." Fluffed-Up Tail"The classic Halloween pose of a puffed tail and arched back indicates they are startled, frightened, or in danger. This is a defensive reaction indicating that your cat wishes to be left alone. They generally do this during a confrontation. They are known to fluff up to try and make themselves look larger and scarier to a predator, which is why they'll arch their back too." Waving Tail While Lying Down"Sometimes a cat wagging its tail may indicate that they're in pain or feeling unwell. If your cat's lying down and waving their tail while also not behaving normally—like not eating or hiding—they should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible." Standing Straight Up"When a cat's tail is upright, they are feeling social and confident, and approaching in a friendly manner. If your cat approaches you with their tail up, this is a good time to pet or play with them." Question Mark Shape"A tail that looks like a question mark—it stands upright and curls at the end— indicates that your cat is happy. This is an invitation to interact with your cat." How to Tell If a Cat Is AnnoyedContext and body language can help you determine if your cat's swishing tail indicates playfulness or annoyance. Fadl explains that playfulness is more likely if the cat is in a hunting stance, getting ready to pounce on a toy. If your cat is trying to nap and you pet their belly, the swishing tail is probably a warning to stop. These signals all mean that your cat is upset or annoyed, according to Harrison: Wagging Tail"If your cat's tail starts lashing back and forth, this indicates your cat is upset and probably about to pounce." Pinned Ears"If a cat is feeling threatened or upset, their ears will turn flat and toward the side. Owners can consider this to be early warnings to back off and stop whatever has prompted the cat to feel threatened." Constricted Eyes"If your cat's eyes are big and round and their pupils are the size of pinholes, combined with a lashing tail, this indicates that your cat is upset, agitated, or angry." The Cold Shoulder"Much like humans, when a cat is mad with you, they might leave the area you're in or sit and stare at you from across the room, just observing your movements." Puffing Up"When a cat is feeling uneasy, gets suddenly startled, or is extremely upset, their fur will puff up. This is something of a defense mechanism to make them look much bigger and much more intimidating." Your cat will use its tail and other body language cues to signal when it wants affection and when it wants to be alone.Getty Images |