Why do cats wag their tails? Understanding cat tail language

While a lot of pet parents chat to their furry-friend, they may not always realise that their cat is talking right back! Body language and vocalisations are your cat’s way of letting you know how they’re feeling, and the movement and positioning of their tail is a key component of this kitty communication.

Gaining a better insight into your cat’s emotional state will allow you to respond better to their needs and will also help to minimise the number of cranky feline paw ‘baps’ that are delivered to the human members of your household!

Read on to learn more about cat body language and behaviour, and how to paw-sitively respond to and nurture your cat’s mental state with gentle training.

Tail positions and their baseline meanings

Before your cat even twitches their tail, its resting position can give away a lot. It’s like their own secret mood barometer — no words (or meows) needed! Here are some of the most common tail positions and what they might be trying to tell you:

Tail movements explained

As well as your cat’s tail position, watching for certain movements of their tail can give you further “cat chat” clues as to how they’re feeling. In general, the more your cat’s tail is moving, the more intense their mood is likely to be. Some of the more commonly seen tail movements include:

General cat body language and context

To become a master in kitty communication, try to assess your cat’s general body language, involving their tail position, ear position, pupil size, whisker positioning and posture. It’s important to note that pupil size is also affected by the current light conditions, with bright light causing your cat’s pupils to constrict smaller, and dim lighting stimulating larger “night vision” pupils.

Certain combinations of body language features indicate lower states of arousal, such as relaxation or mild interest. These include small, thin pupils, the ears being held in a relaxed to forward-facing position, and the whiskers being held in a relaxed position. A comfortable, relaxed cat may also blink slowly or hold their eyes half closed, and is likely to sit or lie down with minimal muscle tension and little tail movement. Adorably, they may also knead their paws (also known as ‘making biscuits!’) on the surface they’re lying on.

If your cat is happy and excited to see you, they might even briefly stand up on their hindlimbs with their tail pointing up (often with a small kink at the top) and make an adorable chirrup sound (awww!). If they are feeling playful or curious, they are likely to have their ears and whiskers forward, and they may have their tail pointed up and twitching. If your cat moves into a more intense predatory state, they may start to show stalking behaviours with a crouched posture, a swishing tail and intense eye contact (which may involve constricted or dilated pupils), and will sometimes make a soft chattering sound.

A cat experiencing a high state of arousal such as anxiety or avoidant fear will often show flattened ears and whiskers, larger pupils, and tensed muscles, and they may crouch, tremble or try to slink away. On the other hand, an annoyed cat is likely to remain tense, whilst starting to swish their tail and emit low rumbling or soft mewing sounds. Eventually, a very fearful or overwhelmed cat may demonstrate more aggressive behaviours to try to ward off the perceived threat, involving an intense stare, flattened or sideways ears, hissing or growling, and sometimes a tall posture with fluffed out fur. If pushed, they may swipe, scratch or bite.

It’s helpful to remember that all feline body language cues are best read in context for the most accurate appraisal of your cat’s mental state. This means considering your pet’s general personality as well as the current situation, such as the presence of other animals, any loud noises, or your cat being in an unfamiliar situation.

Common misinterpretations and safety tips

Cat moods can change really quickly, and they can have ‘strong opinions’ about some things! Additionally, they can be complex little mates who sometimes mask their anxiety or discomfort.

Here are a few common kitty behaviour pitfalls to watch out for in your furry friend:

• Overstimulating your cat: Whilst your cat may seek your attention for petting or play, they can sometimes rapidly progress into an overstimulated state that causes them to then lash out at you. Look for warning signs such as your cat’s pupils dilating, their body tensing, their head turning quickly towards your hand, and their tail movement going from a twitch to a lash.
• Petting their belly: Although cats will sometimes roll over to show trusted household members their adorable little fluffy bellies, they may not actually want you to touch! Unless you know your cat likes belly rubs, it’s generally best to keep your hand away from the belly trap (which can trigger sudden claw grabs!).
• Purring: While many people assume that a purring cat is a contented, happy one, cats can also purr for other reasons, such as discomfort, unwellness or stress. If your cat is showing any symptoms of unwellness or pain, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.
• Anxiety: Cats can be adept at masking anxiety. Watch for subtle signs such as lip licking, avoidant behaviour, hiding, overgrooming, toileting behaviour changes, or changes in appetite. Anxious cats may also show defensive aggressive behaviours.

How to respond and train your cat

You can nurture your cat’s best behaviour by respecting their mental state. If your cat is showing signs of being relaxed and wanting to interact, you can pet them or offer them some play-time with one of their favourite toys. Skittish or shy cats will usually prefer more “hands-off” interactions, such as play with a fishing-rod style toy.

If your cat ever shows signs of stress, anxiety, or overstimulation, it’s best to give them space. Ideally, all cats should have several private areas that they can retreat to if they are feeling overwhelmed, such as an elevated bed, a cupboard with a comfortable blanket inside, or a quiet room sectioned off from young children and dogs with a baby-gate.

If you know that your cat becomes stressed with certain activities that can’t be avoided (such as when you vacuum, or when you have to take them to the vet), you should consult your veterinarian regarding recommendations for desensitisation and counter-conditioning training. More consistently anxious cats may also benefit from prescription anti-anxiety medication.

Lastly, don’t forget to reinforce calm behaviour with praise and treats, and gentle petting if your cat is receptive.

(Kitty) communication is key!

With careful observation of your cat’s body language, you’ll gain better insight into their moods and needs. This will allow you to interact with your cat as sensitively as possible, nurturing their mental health and growing your bond with them. The bottom line? You’ll be the paw-fect pet parent!