Every cat owner will agree that a cat’s tail is one of the most appealing body parts. Understanding your cat’s body language is the first step toward establishing a positive relationship with him.
It serves a variety of functions in a cat’s body, including displaying emotions and concealing itself during sleep. The behavior of a cat’s tail raises several problems, such as whether or not cats have control over their tails.
Yes, cats have some control over their tails, but not complete control. The majority of a cat’s tail motions are intentional, while others are involuntary, according to a National Geographic report. Some of these spontaneous movements are sporadic and are caused by external factors such as mental or physical conditions. Its tail can also be used to communicate with you by exhibiting its feelings. When the cat is unwell or hungry, keeping an eye on its tail can be beneficial. Concentrate on the cat’s tail movement to get a sense of its mood and attention.
All responsible cat caregivers must be able to read their cat’s body language and tail movement. By investing in learning and understanding this skill, you can tell a lot more than you believe. The tail movement pattern must alter when your cat is pleased from when it is upset, and knowing this will strengthen your bond with your cat. Except for involuntary behaviors, which differ from cat to cat, the majority of these movements are common to all cats.
The human eye is a great example of how to understand this concept. You blink without consciously thinking about it every now and again.
However, you can choose whether or not to close your eyes and for how long; cats have the same power over their tails. When your cat is sleeping, you may see its tail twitching or thumping; this is an involuntary tail movement.
Table of Contents
1. Is it possible for cats to feel their tails?
Cats are aware of their tails in the same way that they are aware of their other body parts. In simple terms, it is a vertebral extension that consists of numerous vertebrae. The sensitivity is provided by nerve terminals deliberately placed within it.
It’s crucial to remember that cat sensitivity varies, thus your cat’s tail can be more or less sensitive than your friends’.
Cat Name: 5 Tips to Teach Cat its Name
When you brush their tails, you can see how sensitive they are. Some cats despise having their tails brushed, while others appear to enjoy their grooming appointments. Susceptible animals despise having their tails brushed since they can’t stand the sensation. This finding demonstrates that cats are aware of their tails, implying that they have significant control over them.
2. What Does a Cat Do With His Tail?
Body balance is the most important function of a cat’s tail. Even under harsh conditions, cats rely on their tails to maintain balance, which is why they are such nimble animals. A cat walking on a narrow ledge, for example, will move its tail in one way to attain the balance needed to glance to the other side. This stance will assist in repositioning its center of gravity, preventing it from falling off the ledge. A cat’s tail also serves as a means of conveying feelings. A cat’s tail can be used to communicate its mood and motivation because it is delicate and responsive.
You can get a sense of how your cat is feeling by watching and focusing on its tail movement and position. The following section will provide some pointers on how to decode your cat’s tail.
3. How Do You Interpret Your Cat’s Tail?
When it comes to deciphering your cat’s tail, there are two factors to consider: tail position and tail movement. Here’s a step-by-step method to deciphering what your cat is trying to tell you through its tail.
4. Tails in a high position
In cats, a high tail indicates that the animal is happy. It could be that the cat is ecstatic to see you, and they are usually extremely eager about engaging. Examining the cat family’s evolutionary history can help us understand why they do this when they’re happy. To maximize their chances of survival in the wild, cats relied significantly on stealth, which they achieved by keeping their tails low.
Raising its tail denotes that it is highly visible, and hence represents openness, inquiry, and friendship. If the tip of your pet’s tail is slightly bent forward, it means your pet is actively seeking excellent interaction, which is especially important if you’ve had a long day at work. Be careful not to confuse a scared cat with a joyful cat; the latter will tighten their legs and puff up the furs along their spines.
5. Tails that aren’t too long
Low tails aren’t always the antithesis of happiness; it all depends on how low they are. Let’s use the horizontally positioned tail as an example of the cat’s neutral posture, in which it neither wants nor dislikes engagement. This mood is best described as a state of quiet caution, and your attempts to pet it are rebuffed.
When your cat’s tail is really low, practically touching the ground, it’s advisable to express worry. Remember the cat’s natural instincts and take this as a warning; perhaps it is scared and hides its tail to avoid being seen. After moving to a new house where the cat is unfamiliar, you may notice them skulking around the walls with their legs bent and tail low. They are hyper-alert to any noise, including the refrigerator, as they strive to live in their new environment.
6. Tails Curled
It is correct to interpret your cat’s tail tucked under its body or out of sight as an indicator of a distant kitty. You may also see that it is studying its surroundings in a distant manner, with no intention of interacting. When sitting, some cats carefully curl their tails to indicate that they do not want to be touched. If you approach it with some snacks or petting gloves, it will be easier.
7. Movement of the Tail
The movement of a cat’s tail is controlled by its autonomous neurological system via the spinal cord, indicating that cats are partially in charge. Here are some common movement patterns that you can utilize to help decode and comprehend its feelings.
8. Tails Flicking
The most typical tail movements you’ve probably noticed are gentle swishes from the cat’s tail. When you see a cat swishing its tail while casually sleeping or reclining in the sun, you know it’s a relaxed cat. It’s worth noting that if the cat’s tip is the only part that flicks, it means the cat is hyper-alert and concentrated on something.
9. Tails thrashing
Tail thrashing or whipping might signify either eagerness or irritation. Consider your session ended if you witness the cat’s flailing tail followed by a faint thumping sound from the tail’s contact with the floor while patting it. This movement pattern is used by the cat to indicate that something is wrong: either your hand is too close to its sensitive regions or you have mishandled its feet. To avoid unintentionally activating the whiskered bear trap of anguish, pay careful attention when touching her stomach.
10. Tails that wiggle
A cheerful cat has a quick wagging tail in an upright attitude. It’s likely that it’s looking forward to things like attention, treats, or you. It’s easy to confuse a thrashing tail with a wriggling tail, which is a typical error made by pet owners.
