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 They generally do this during a confrontation. This is a defensive reaction indicating that your cat wishes to be left alone. "The classic Halloween pose of a puffed tail and arched back indicates they are startled, frightened, or in danger. "When your cat wants to show you affection, they may wrap their tail around your hand, arm or even neck." Fluffed-Up Tail If you don't, the thrashing tail may be a prelude to hissing, growling, swatting or biting." Wrapping Tail Around Owners If you're petting your cat and they start thrashing their tail, they are trying to tell you to stop. "When your cat thrashes their tail, or is thumping it on the ground, they are irritated, annoyed or angry. "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 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. "A tail quiver means they're especially excited to see you or another cat. If your cat swishes its tail from side to side quickly while stalking "prey," it's probably about to pounce. The wagging is often accompanied by chirping or chattering." Cats typically display this language when they are window watching a small animal or bird. "If you notice your cat's tail doing a short, quick twitch, it usually indicates they are concentrating, hunting, playing or mildly irritated. Their quick swishing tail may be coupled with dilated pupils and forward pointed ears." Quick Twitch If their tail begins to swish quickly from side to side, it means they are feeling playful and ready to pounce. "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 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
#CAT TAIL QUIVER MEANING FREE#
When you see this, end your interaction with your cat and ensure that your cat's environment is free of stressors. "If your cat's tail is tucked between their legs, this indicates that they are really scared or may be experiencing pain. "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 "A cat wagging its tail low is generally an indicator that they're scared or anxious," Harrison 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 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.
"This could mean they are stalking prey or a toy, or maybe they are just watching a bird outside the window. 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.
Each wag can have a different meaning, but new owners in particular might find it tricky to interpret their pet's body language. A cat will often use its tail to convey emotions, swishing it from side to side or thumping it on the ground.