#CAT TAIL QUIVER FULL#

One of the regular games, from as a kitten, is chasing, humans, or nothing, and being chased in return, more often by that nothing. I don’t think I’m the brains of the outfit. I am currently sitting my Bengal grandKitty, 6yo with me wrapped firmly where I belong. Read Next: 6 Cat Meow Sounds and What They Mean Thumbnail: Photography ©GlobalP | Thinkstock. This piece was originally published in 2017. Bonus points if you have photos or videos of the tail talk in action. Tell us: What are your favorite “tail talk” phrases? Share them in the comments. The very end of their tails twitch just the tiniest bit, as if it’s the only way they have to discharge some of the adrenalin coursing through their bodies. When my cats are stalking rodents or their favorite interactive toys, they hunker down with their tails stretched out behind them. Photography by LeniKovaleva / Shutterstock. A hunting cat stretches her tail just behind her. Here’s a video of a tail tag game in action. Bella gets all excited and starts smacking at his tail. He flicks his tail back and forth, all the while looking at Bella with wide eyes. Thomas absolutely loves to play tail tag with Bella. This is her equivalent of “Eek!” For her, it doesn’t seem to mean “I’m terrified” as much as “You shocked the hell out of me … and I kinda liked it!” When I see her in exclamation-point-tail mode, I gently stroke said tail and tell her, “Oh, Bella, what are you all fat-tailed for?” Then it’s time for skritches around the neck and ears as she slowly de-floofs.

#CAT TAIL QUIVER FULL#

When Bella gets startled, she jumps backwards and her tail instantly goes full vertical and all the fur stands on end. Photography ©PeopleImages | DigitalVision / Getty. Cats who get scared or startled may get the exclamation point tail. I call this a “tail hug” and I melt every time it happens. When Thomas climbs into my lap while I’m sitting at the computer, he either drapes himself over my arm or settles in for a snuggle and wraps his tail around my wrist. Photography by Dan Kosmayer / Shutterstock. I interpret this as the cat tail language equivalent of a teenager’s smart-ass comment and reply with, “Don’t you twitch your tail at me, young lady!” A cat with a curled tail. When I scold Bella for getting on the counter while I prepare her food, she hops onto the floor and does a single whole-tail twitch. If you see the tip twitch, you should heed this polite request.

If you’re petting your cat and you start seeing the tip of her tail twitch a little bit, that’s an early sign that your cat is getting overstimulated and wants you to back off. If your cat’s tail twitches, it’s time to take a break from pets, cuddles and other affection. As soon as you say something like, “Hello, darling,” and reach out a hand, the tail straightens out and you’re greeted with head bonks and love. May I come to you?” I saw this a lot in my shelter cats, and my own kitty roommates do that when guests come over to visit. Question mark cat tailĪ cat that approaches you with an erect tail with a tiny hook at the end is saying, “I’m friendly and I’m also just a tiny bit tentative and curious. Photography by mimagephotography / Shutterstock. It’s a sign that needs little translation. Nothing says, “OMG, I love you so much and I’m so happy to see you!” quite like high-tailed kittens. This would quickly be followed by purrs and head bonks all over my shoes.

When Sinéad and Siouxsie were kittens, they’d come running up to me with their tails held high the minute I opened my apartment door. Here are the facts behind some of my favorite cat tail signs and what they mean. Even the most obtuse of humans can learn the secrets of this behavior - “cat tail talk,” if you will - with a little observation, and your cat will love you even more if you can interpret her special sign language. Not only is it an anatomical wonder, it’s an excellent tool for feline self-expression. A cat tail is an amazing and beautiful thing.

Cat tail quiver