Feline Behaviour27 July 20263 min read
Translating Your Cat's Tail
A field guide to the most expressive appendage in the household.
Cats are often called mysterious by people who are not looking at the tail. It is, frankly, subtitles.
- Tall and upright, tip slightly curved: delighted, confident, pleased with you specifically.
- Quivering upright tail on approach: pure greeting joy — the highest compliment available.
- Wrapped around his own paws: content, settled, no requests at this time.
- Low and swishing hard: irritation. Stop whatever charming thing you are doing.
- Puffed like a bottle brush: alarm. Something has offended him, possibly a cucumber.
- Tail tip flicking while otherwise still: focused hunting attention. Something is about to be pounced upon.
Read the tail alongside the ears and you will rarely be surprised again. Ignore both and you will continue to describe your cat as unpredictable while he considers you extremely easy to read.