Expert QA

How does tail movement communicate my cat's mood?

From the Editors of The Daily Cat

We tend to think of communication as just being language-based, but animals exhibit other cues that function similar to language. Your cat's tail, for example, is like a mood ring, because you can look at it to help determine how your cat is feeling. Here are some basic tail moves and their meanings:

• Upright and/or pointed toward you Your cat is feeling confident and is open to bonding with you.



• Moving side to side If your cat is anxious, its tail will swish around and may even thump the floor. Stress has set in, so it's best to let your cat have some alone time.



• Tail hair erect When fur stands on end, it makes your cat look bigger, so this is a defensive mechanism kicking in, usually when your cat is afraid or is ready to attack. Cats do not often get to this stage with their owners. You're more likely to see the happier, upright tail position.