Although many people say that cats are independent animals, the truth is that they are very affectionate social animals when they trust us. If you have a cat and spend time petting it frequently, you have probably noticed that the cat raises its tail when you stroke its back. Why?
In this article on our site we will explain what this position of the queue means. Read on and find out Why does a cat lift its tail when you pet it?
Don't forget to comment and share your photos so other members of our site can get to know your cat. Let's go there with the meaning:
Feline language and false beliefs
Cats communicate with us in many different ways, whether through meowing, behavior or body positions. In this case, we are faced with a very specific posture: the cat crouches slightly and raises its tail.
Many people believe that this behavior is of a sexual nature since the cat or cat usually reveals its most intimate parts. But that's not true. Even neutered cats lift their tails with pleasure when petted. If you have doubts about whether or not your cat is sterilized, visit the symptoms of a cat in heat.
What does it mean?
When cats acquire a close posture and attitude they are trying to communicate the proximity or affection they feel towards us. However, if we observe a cat with its tail down and tight, we are probably facing a fearful, frightened or withdrawn animal.
The exchange of smells is essential for feline communication, for this reason when they raise their tails, proximity and caresses take on another meaning: when the cat lifts its tail, it exposes its anal glands, which produce an identifiable and unique odor in each cat.
The meaning of the raised tail is not merely an "introduction" that the cat can make when meeting us or familiarizing us: this behavior is carried out repeatedly as sign of the affection, complicity and great confidence they have with us.
The tail in feline communication
Although cats are able to use their tails to maintain their balance, the truth is that they also express different emotions using it.
- High tail: This position denotes confidence, security and total control of the situation. Generally, the cat shows its tail high in situations of comfort, happiness and well-being.
- Tail close to the body: This type of position indicates the opposite of the previous one: fear, distrust, uncertainty… The cat is trying to go unnoticed in the situation in which he finds himself. It does not expose his particular information
- Ruffled tail: If we see a cat with a swollen, thick and bristling tail, it would be better to leave as soon as possible and leave privacy to the feline This position of the tail is very easy to recognize and identify: our cat is angry.
However, there are many other factors that influence and help us better understand our cat's gestural communication, such as the ears, head, body position… Observing and fraternizing with our cat is the key to understand us with him.
Also discover on our site why cats knead or why cats bite.
