There are many sounds that cats make and their meaning, however, cats mostly use their body language to communicate with us, with other animals and with their environment. Thanks to their body, their postures and facial expressions, our felines transmit their state of mind and their perceptions about their environment.
To help you better interpret the body language of cats, in this article on our site we tell you what it means when a cat has its tail up By understanding their postures and expressions, you will be able to better understand your cat's personality, improve your communication and strengthen your bond with him. Therefore, join us to discover more about these fascinating animals!
The meaning of tail wagging in cats
The tail of cats is a member that helps them express themselves, mainly with their feline congeners, but also with human beings and with other animals. In short, a cat uses its tail to interact with its environment constantly. But why does the cat wag its tail when you pet it? Why do they wag their tails when lying down? Or why does the cat wag its tail when you talk to it?
The different positions of a cat's tail reveal a lot about his perception of the environment, the emotions he experiences and everything he tries to communicate and transmitA cat with its tail raised expresses something totally different from a feline that shows the drop attached to the body or bristling, for example.
Each individual is unique
Felines have a special personality, different from that of other species, but this can also vary enormously depending on the specific individual. Due to past experiences, socialization period or other factors, such as genetics, each cat may adopt different postures, expressions and sounds to capture the attention of its tutors, express themselves and communicate with their environment. Therefore, it is impossible to write a precise manual on "how to understand cats", since each individual is unique.
Precisely because it is unique, each feline can have its own "feline behavior dictionary" which means that in order to understand your cat well, you will need to set aside time on a daily basis to play and share quality moments with it, which will help you to get to know their personality, observe their specific behavior and interpret their body language. Still, in general, you can start by discovering the language and communication of cats, which will help you interpret your feline's behavior on a daily basis and know how to recognize its different moods.
Keep reading to find out what it means when a cat has its tail up…
The cat with its tail up as a sign of well-being
A raised tail is usually interpreted as a positive posture in cat body language, indicating a state of happiness, relaxation and/or well-being However, it can express different emotions depending on the specific "pattern" that the tail adopts when it is raised. To understand exactly what it means when a cat has its tail up, we must pay attention to other "signals" that its body transmits to us. Below, we summarize the main meanings of the raised tail in cats.
- Cat with tail up and shaking: If your cat has a tail up and shaking, it means that your presence makes him happy. You'll likely see this design on his tail when you come home from work, for example. In this way, your feline tries to communicate that he is happy to see you and to be able to enjoy your company
- Tail Raised Pointing Up ("Stretched"): A cat with its tail pointing up experiences a quiet moment and becomes kind sign. It is very positive that your cat has this tail design at home, as it means that he feels relaxed and safe in his environment and in your presence.
- Tail up and slightly forward (over the back): By raising their tail in this way, cats expose their anal glands. We should not interpret this as sexual conduct; it is a friendly gesture, which invites interaction. In the "feline world", cats do this not only to "introduce themselves", but also to demonstrate trust and complicity with other individuals in their community. Therefore, when you notice that your cat raises its tail when you pet it and then throws it forward on its back, you can interpret this posture as a sign that your cat loves your touch and feels comfortable and happy in your hands. company.
Tail up like a question mark
On some occasions, the cat's raised tail can be interpreted as a question mark, indicating that the kitten is not entirely sureabout something that happens in his environment. It does not mean a positive or negative emotion, but rather a state of mind in which the cat is intrigued by some stimulus. There are two main "intrigued tails" in cats, as we see below:
- Tail raised at an angle: This design can appear when the cat perceives some new stimulus in its environment and does not know exactly how to react to it. to the. For example, when an unknown animal or person enters your home for the first time. In these cases, it is important that this first contact takes place in a positive environment where the feline feels "invited" to exercise his curiosity and explore this new presence in his own time.
- Upturned tail with a hook at the tip: This is literally the "question mark" tail on cats. This is a reserved or shy posture, but not threatening or angry. Your kitty is simply not entirely sure about something going on in his environment and takes a conciliatory stance.
Raised and bristling tail: a sign of anger in cats
If your cat has a raised and swollen tail (the "brush tail"), with thick and bristly hairs, you should be aware because your cat is probably very angry or feels so scared that he may be aggressive if you don't respect their space. In these cases, you may also notice other signs of anger or fear in their body language, such as their ears pushed back or set to the side, their spine extended, and their pupils very dilated.
On the other hand, if your cat has a raised and very wavy or twitching tail, it can also be interpreted as a negative sign. Your cat can adopt this posture to express that he is starting to feel angryor simply prefers to be alone and not be bothered at that time. Therefore, it is best to distance yourself for some time or wait for your kitty to be more receptive to play and interact with you.
In addition, if you perceive that your cat is very frightened or aggressive, we advise you to take it to the veterinarian you trust to check its he alth status and rule out any disease that could cause these behavior problems. After ruling out any organic cause, you can consult a veterinary specialized in feline ethology to help you identify the cause of said abnormal behavior and establish a treatment based on specific guidelines according to the needs of your cat.
