Cats have long been loved by humans as the most affectionate and pliable pets. But it’s not every day that these furry creatures are gentle and obedient. It seems like just yesterday your pet was rubbing itself at your feet and purring, but today it does not respond to calls to come to you. At first glance, it seems that nothing has changed in its condition and behavior, the animal is calm, but its tail is twitching strangely. It becomes curious why cats wag their tail, whether they control it consciously, and what these movements mean. Let's clarify this issue.
Why do cats need a tail?
Roughly speaking, the tail ends the spine of representatives of the cat family. It is a collection of vertebrae, blood vessels and nerve endings, due to the large number of which this part of the body in cats is especially weak and sensitive to touch and can easily be injured by abuse. This is why animals don't like it when someone tries to touch their tail, or, even worse, pull it.
Thanks to the presence of a tail, cats maintain coordination of movements, moving along narrow surfaces and jumping from heights, and also have excellent spatial orientation, deftly and quickly climb to the tops of trees, and successfully track down small animals.
But the main thing for the owner is that by watching how the pet wags its tail, he can recognize the mood and even unravel the pet’s plans. Having learned what a cat's tail wagging means, you will be able to understand the animal and support it. trusting relationship and respond correctly to his wishes.
Why do cats wag their tail?
Ethologists say that pets can move their tails in completely different ways, in this way expressing their feelings and emotions - both positive and negative - at a given time. The more intensely the cat twitches its tail, the more vivid experiences it experiences.
Of course, each cat has its own characteristics and behavior. Therefore, based on already known interpretations When considering non-verbal “body language” signals given by animals using their tail, it is still better to focus on your own feelings and experience of communicating with your pet.
Now it’s clear why cats wag their tail - this is how they try to describe their state and mood at a certain period of time.
Wagging the tail can indicate different feelings in animals: it all depends on its speed and on the part of the tail involved in “communication”: a slight twitching of the tip indicates a relaxed state, if the tail gradually “unwinds” - the pet is ready to jump and pounce on the object of hunting.
- Slow vertical tail wagging will mean that the dog is very interested in something.
- Slowly wagging its tail, the pet is trying to make a choice and pondering the options.
- An animal demonstrates its contentment with something by holding its tail high. If at the same time its tip trembles a little, the cat is very happy about something, or is anticipating pleasure. Slightly arching its back and stretching its head forward, it greets the owner or its relative, while raising its tail with a pipe.
- Chaotic tail wagging performed by a resting pet indicates that the seemingly dozing animal is always alert and ready to act. When a cat falls into a sleepy state, the movements of the tail slow down and stop altogether when falling asleep.
If you see your favorite cat wagging its tail, what it means can be understood by the intensity of the waving and the movements it makes.
When hunting for small rodents or insects, the cat presses its tail to the ground, slightly twitching its tip and thereby betraying its excitement.
The twitching tip of the tail indicates a slight irritation that a pet may experience if, for example, its “rival” is nearby - another pet, be it a cat or a dog, caressed by the owner.
When a cat begins to strongly swing its tail and hit it in all directions on the floor and on its sides, you need to be careful: it is extremely hostile towards the object or subject at which its menacing gaze is fixed, and its claws and teeth. A fight or tearing apart of the hunted object is planned.
If a cat's tail sways quickly back and forth, it means the pet is terribly angry.
That is, if your cat is wagging its tail, you don’t have to be on guard - depending on the situation, this movement can be either a good or bad sign.
A long flexible whip or a fluffy fox tail - any tail is undoubtedly the most noticeable “decoration” of a cat. But Nature, a tireless dreamer and a brilliant scientist rolled into one, probably endowed animals with this part of the skeleton for a reason. Let's figure out why a cat needs a tail and how mustachioed impatiens use this valuable gift of evolution.
A cat's spine consists of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions - sounds familiar, doesn't it? But then we see the differences between humans and cats: where our coccygeal part is located, in cats the tail begins - another part of the spine. The structure of a cat's tail is quite simple: the first and largest vertebra is connected to the sacrum, the next vertebrae become thinner and shorter, and so on until the last, very small vertebra at the tip of the tail.
Normally, there are joint spaces between the vertebrae that are filled with a jelly-like substance that acts as a lubricant - this is why cats wag their tail in any direction, and can bend their tail up or sideways without risking injury or experiencing discomfort.
The number of vertebrae is from 20 to 27, the length of the tail is from 20 to 40 cm. The Siamese cat waves its long and thin tail, because it itself is a slender and elongated athlete. The Persian lady is square in size, dense and stocky, boasting a thick and short tail. Such harmony is obvious and necessary, because one of the reasons why cats wave their tail is an attempt to maintain balance.
Tail and balancing
“He’s like a cat: no matter what happens, he always lands on four paws,” they say about a person who will find a way out of the most difficult situation. Scientists around the world are closely studying this ability of cats and even applying the acquired knowledge in areas related to the study of aerodynamics. Thanks to the development of photographic technology, zoologists have found out why a cat twitches its tail during a fall - by maneuvering this part of the body, the unrivaled tightrope walker helps herself to take the desired pose for a spectacular landing.
But what about pets that are deprived of a tail by nature or by coincidence? After all, they do not flop out of the tree, but land just as elegantly, although without the help of a tail. Because of this fact, some zoologists even began to doubt whether the position of a cat’s tail at the moment of a fall was of decisive importance. However, there are two circumstances that leave no doubt that the cat really actively uses its tail to maintain balance. First: a cat that has lost its tail as a result of injury adapts to its absence for some time, moving and jumping less deftly. And this proves that the cat waves its tail while jumping for a reason. Second: a cat born without a tail has longer and stronger hind legs compared to the hind legs of its tailed relatives. Apparently, nature compensates for the lack of a tail by slightly changing the structure of the skeleton.
In addition, zoologists have found out why a cat needs a tail when hunting. It turns out that the cat uses it as a rudder: in the same way, fish, when swimming, bend their tail in the direction opposite to the movement. And it’s easier for a tailed cat to walk along fences: the tail, working as a counterweight, helps it stay on the thin rail.
Read also: Why cats love to sleep with their owners: a privilege or a necessity. Reasoning from experienced breeders
Tail and communication
Since understanding a cat by its tail is not so difficult, ethologists, analyzing the behavior of cats, pay attention to Special attention on this part of the body. Cats are frank and straightforward animals, they do not know how to lie and do not hide their emotions, so every owner can learn to understand a cat’s mood by its tail. You just need to observe the position of the tail in a given situation.
Peace: the tail hangs in a natural, relaxed position. A cat sits or lies with its tail wrapped around itself - it is in a good mood and trusts those around it.
Friendliness: Why does a cat have a tail like a pipe when it approaches a person? This position of the tail means that the pet is happy to meet you and does not mind being stroked on its silky coat. In the same way, she meets a familiar fellow tribesman.
Alertness: if the cat does not know whether it is a friend or an enemy, it holds its tail raised at an angle of 45 degrees. Why do cats wag their tail even when they are sitting next to their loved one and seem completely happy with life? It's simple - the pet checks to see if there is an enemy behind who wants to attack treacherously.
Curiosity: Why does a cat twitch its tail, moving the very tip from side to side? Most likely, she sees or hears something that interests her and awakens in the hunter one of the most striking traits of her character - curiosity. It could be a fly, the sound of rain, or even the smell of pilaf from a neighboring apartment, but be careful: perhaps the cat is interested in the hand stroking it, and in this case it is wiser to leave the pet alone.
Playfulness: How to recognize a cat by its tail while playing? The cat, remembering the established limits, wags its relaxed tail, moving it smoothly, without nervousness. If a cat gets too excited, it waves its tail faster and faster, and its movements become more and more abrupt - beware, the next moment the pet may prefer your hand to a toy. Why does a cat shake its tail pointing vertically? This is also a form of expression of playfulness, bordering on sexual arousal.
Irritation: The easiest way to see a cat's bad mood is by its tail. A pet, irritated by something, moves its tail from side to side with sharp movements, not waving it, but as if shifting the tail back and forth. The tail sticks out almost vertically, and the tip is curved, resembling a hook - I don’t want to communicate, although I understand that it’s not you who is to blame for my nervousness.
Fury: the cat has fluffed up its tail and the fur growing along its ridge - save yourself, whoever can. In this state, even the most affectionate pet is able to prove that there is no beast worse than a cat. She may take a defensive position or attack first, she may be frightened or angry about something, the essence is the same - the cat is in an extremely excited state. If a cat literally flails its tail across the surface, be careful, it can attack at any moment. However, there is an exception: kittens, susceptible cats and pets neutered before their first heat, which often fluff their tails while playfully running around, which is not a sign of aggression.
There are reasons why a cat shakes its tail that are not related to the pet’s mood. For example, cats shake their vertically raised tail when they mark walls and other elevations. If a cat is in pain or stressed, it will nervously, with sudden movements, wave its tail or lightly tap it on the floor. If your cat bites her tail, she may have fleas or itching due to dermatitis. In the heat, especially long-haired pets, lie on their sides and stretch their tail to its full length. On a cold evening, the cat comfortably wraps its tail around itself, trying to reduce heat transfer.
Cats have developed a complex, multifaceted and expressive language to communicate with people. Pets express their emotions and desires through verbal and nonverbal communication. An observant owner will not only be able to understand the cat's language, but also identify useful patterns.
Since cats are interested in learning new methods of communication with the owner, your initiative will help establish close interpersonal contact and achieve obedience from the pet. The more actively you communicate with your cat, the faster it will learn to understand you.
To show your cat that you are friendly and satisfied, use a raised tone of voice. To express disappointment, resentment or dissatisfaction, speak quietly and clearly pronounce hissing sounds.
Verbal communication
When communicating with your cat, try to use the same words and say them slowly. Periodic repetition will allow you to consolidate a clear associative connection.
Experiments have shown that at the age of up to 6 months, cats are able to easily remember from 30 to 70 voice messages from the owner. It is important to understand that this is not about commands or orders, but about explaining your actions.
For example, by repeating the words “sleep” every time, you can train your cat not to disturb you at night, to climb into your bed, or to ask for food in advance.
When communicating with a cat, always be consistent in your intentions.
If you need to punish your pet, do not shout or use the word “no”. The true relationship has not yet been clarified, but zoologists have proven that cats are embarrassed when they hear the word “no”, but normally perceive the words “later”, “later”, “not now” and so on.
Observations by animal psychologists have shown that stopping a cat’s actions with the word “no” most often leads to a second attempt to perform an unwanted action.
Non-verbal communication
Cats perceive non-verbal communication signals instinctively and without difficulty. You can test it on your own pet: slow blinking expresses affection and provokes the cat into close communication.
Watching your pet hesitate in its decision to jump on your bed, be silent and lightly tap your palm next to you - the pet will perceive the gesture as an invitation.
Learning to understand a cat by meowing
Determining a cat's intentions by meowing is not so easy, since this method of communication is not a priority. A cat's primary language of communication consists of a complex of smells, facial expressions, body language and gestures.
After moving to new house cats quickly understand that some nonverbal cues the owner does not understand, so they reinforce their messages with meows.
This is interesting! After contacting the owner, the cat observes the reaction and records it. In this way, it determines how a person reacts to their way of communication.
How can owners understand what their pet wants? Observe the cat's actions that caused the meow. Most likely, you will be able to intuitively determine what is causing such a violent expression of emotions.
Despite the uniqueness of a cat's meow, almost all cats produce some of the same signals:
- Single short meow- a greeting or expression of recognition.
- Excited, often prolonged meowing- a stormy greeting or demand for something.
- Monotonous, not too frequent, but loud meow- asking for something, such as food or water.
- Single prolonged meow– indicates discomfort or strong need.
- Meowing with a long “r” sound– expresses dissatisfaction, inconvenience.
- Hiss– expresses aggression or warning.
- Loud cry with a predominance of the sound “a”– warns of a possible attack, indicates severe discomfort.
In addition to meowing, cats express their emotions by purring. While purring, the cat makes soft sounds; its larynx, and sometimes its entire body, vibrates.
It has been established that cats purr at people, experiencing mild pleasure and satisfaction. In addition to communication, a cat can use purring to relieve pain, stress and other negative feelings.
Cat sign language
Unlike humans, cats have a much better command of body and body language. Our pets speak an unfamiliar language fluently, barely perceptibly, especially for less experienced owners. Fortunately, pets are well aware that they may not be understood the first time and reinforce their nonverbal messages with their voice or additional gestures.
For example, if a cat raises its nose and tilts its head slightly to the side, it is expressing its recognition and trust. With this gesture, cats quite often greet owners whom they see from the window.
It is impossible to understand a cat by judging only gestures or voice messages. The basic understanding is formed by observing the behavior of the pet.
Expressing fear by meowing and dilated pupils, the cat presses its ears back and with its entire appearance makes it clear that it is not comfortable. Similar behavior can be observed if the pet encounters something unfamiliar or unexpected.
Many owners cannot understand what a cat is saying when it tenses up and clicks its tongue rapidly. Typically, this behavior is observed in pets who watch birds through the window. This gesture has not yet been studied and is interpreted differently, but it clearly indicates concern and excitement.
When a cat actively circles around you and rubs against your legs, it makes it clear that it considers the owner to be its property (in in a good way). Simply put, a pet leaves its scent on your clothes as a message: “this person already has a cat.” So that no oncoming cat “gets your paws.”
If a cat is very obsessively trying to sniff your face, it means that it needs to make sure that you belong to you. This usually happens after a long day at work or if you have been visiting a place where other animals live.
This is interesting! If a pet rubs its head, side and tail against you while passing by, it says hello.
Once in your arms, your cat may start nuzzling your face. This gesture expresses strong affection and helps the cat express affection. By poking you with its nose, the cat says that it loves you and feels completely safe.
This is interesting! If a cat asks to pet itself, but moves its head away as soon as you raise your palm, this indicates a playful mood and affection.
The funny habit of trampling the owner expresses pleasure, playfulness, affection and other positive feelings of the cat towards the person.
A pet that does not trust its owner will never trample his clothes or body parts with its paws. The most expressive sign of love and trust is a cat licking your face. Please note that four-legged animals consider only family members worthy of licking.
This is interesting! Temperamental, young, playful cats are prone to imitation.
The owners managed to capture quite a lot of moments when cats repeat the gestures and behavior of people. In this case, the cat not only loves the owner, but also recognizes him as the leader of the “pride”.
How to understand a cat by its tail
Like dogs, cats communicate using tail movements. Once you understand your pet's tail drop cues, it will become much easier to appreciate the big picture and understand your cat's emotions.
The “translator” by the tail looks something like this:
- The tail is raised vertically, the tip is inclined or twisted into a half ring - the cat is happy and satisfied.
- The tail is raised vertically and quivers– the cat is agitated, anxious, agitated or afraid of something.
- The fur on the tail is vertical, the tail visually looks much larger - the cat is excited, in a state of aggression or panic.
- The tail is constantly wriggling periodically vibrates - this is how cats express the joy of meeting.
- The fur on the tail stands on end, vertical position, tail very tense - a sign of an early degree of aggression, readiness for self-defense or fight.
- fluffy tail lowered to the ground or tucked between its paws is a sign of severe fear, panic, fear for one’s own life.
- The tail is lowered to the ground, squeezed between the hind legs, but not fluffed up - the cat is scared or very shy.
Cats with naturally short tails express their emotions through body language.
Language of the eyes
The familiar phrase “the eyes are the mirror of the soul” is also true when communicating with a cat.
Signals that are useful to know:
- Dilated pupils, direct bold gaze- from a cat good mood, she is in the excitement of the game or excited. This same sign, combined with an attacking posture, indicates aggression and readiness to fight.
- The cat constantly seeks direct eye contact with you and blinks slowly- an expression of trust, showing that the cat is comfortable and safe with you.
- Slow blinking, significantly dilated pupils and purring– indicates comfort, a positive mood and a desire to show affection towards the owner.
- Constricted pupils and barely noticeable blinking– the cat is afraid, ready to run or fight.
A prolonged direct gaze into the eyes can be interpreted by a pet as an expression of aggression or a warning of an attack. Try to evaluate eye position and gaze without your pet noticing.
The vast majority of people believe that our smaller brothers, namely cats, do not know how to express their feelings and moods. But this is not true at all. Cats' body language is very simple. The emotions of cats are very understandable and accessible to everyone.
To do this, you just have to watch carefully, and you will learn to distinguish, how to understand the cat's language. It is expressed primarily in the way the cat shakes. But let's take a closer look at how and why cats shake their tail.
How cats show their mood
A cat's tail consists of many vertebrae and performs a large number of functions. The main role is balancing while moving and hunting. But a cat's tail is also an expression of her behavior and character. This means that if the owner is attentive and loving, then it will be easy for him to determine the cat’s mood by the tail. It is when and how a cat shakes its tail that you can understand what mood it is in.
A cat's tail twitches differently - both vertically and horizontally. To figure out how to understand a cat by its tail, you need to take into account many factors. These may include:
- people unfamiliar and incomprehensible to them. For older cats, this can be a stressful environment. And if this is a cat with kittens, then the trembling tail will immediately let you understand displeasure and fear for its offspring;
- general situation in the breeder’s family. If you constantly scream and at the same time can periodically hit the kitten, you should be prepared for the fact that the cat arches its back and its tail is fluffed or tucked. But when you love and cherish your pet, then his tail will almost always be a pipe, and the threat of an arched back and hissing sounds will bypass you;
- If an animal beats its tail, meows, shakes, its pupils are dilated and it tucks or arches its tail, then the pet is letting you know that it is experiencing fear. In such a situation, it is better to remove the object that provoked panic;
- An unfamiliar environment or moving can also cause displeasure in the pet, which will be expressed in the fact that the cat jerks its fifth limb. Let her know that you are looking out for her and want the best for her.
Read more: TOP 5 most popular shampoos for cats
Cats can perfectly understand what you are communicating with them about. As the kitten grows up, it learns to understand its owner, and you learn how to determine its mood and how to understand your pet’s language.
If you're trying to understand what's going on in your cat's head, interpreting her body language will be just as important as understanding the sounds she makes. Cats constantly talk to us through their bodies - often much more than through their voices. You've probably noticed some of the behaviors that your cat shows you - twitching its tail, stretching out on its back, exposing its belly, looking at you with narrowed eyes and blinking slowly... Is it possible to understand what all this means? Definitely! This article talks about what your cat is trying to tell you through body language and explains what certain behaviors mean.
1. Tail
Tail wagging (that is, the entire tail moves slowly and gently from side to side) usually means that the cat is alert, curious, or interested in something.
Tail wagging : If a cat is waving its tail (the entire tail moves quickly and sharply from side to side), it means that it is agitated and very irritated. Sometimes this will cause the cat's entire body to take on an aggressive stance (more on this below.) The hair on her tail may stand on end, giving it a fluffy appearance. If you see a cat in this condition, it is better to leave it alone, otherwise you may become a victim of an attack!
Twitching. If a cat twitches the tip of its tail, this usually indicates that it is interested in what it is seeing. However, it can also be the first sign of aggression - for example, if another cat has just invaded its territory.
Shaking . Cats have tails that quiver at the base when they mark their territory. However, this behavior can be observed when the cat rubs against your legs, when you rub its back or scratch it (especially near the tail), while it stands. In this case, the trembling of the tail is a sign of her Great love to you.
Straight, raised tail . If a cat is walking and its tail is in a vertical position (pointing to the sky), it means that it is happy, content and confident.
Tail half tucked between legs . This usually means the cat is afraid, unhappy, or feels threatened. The rest of her body will confirm this (eg head down, ears flattened, body crouched towards the ground).
2. Ears
The cat perked up its ears. This means that your pet is interested in what she hears around her. You may notice that your cat moves its ears to hear what is happening behind it without moving its head.
Ears pressed to head . If the ears are pressed to the head and turned back, then the cat feels threatened and seeks to protect them.
3. Head and mustache
Head raised . The meaning of this gesture varies depending on the circumstances. If the cat is happy, a raised head indicates curiosity and confidence, and is usually combined with perked ears. On the other hand, if he is in a confrontation with another cat, a raised head indicates dominance and in this case the ears will be flat against the head.
Head down . When confronting another cat, a lowered head indicates submission. In other circumstances, a lowered head may indicate sleepiness, contentment, or boredom.
cat whiskers . Whiskers can serve as an indicator of a cat's mood. If the whiskers are forward, the cat is relaxed, content, or curious. If they are pulled back, the cat is preparing to defend itself or attack.
4. Eyes
Wide eyes, stare . As a rule, cats look this way during a fight or before attacking another animal or person. They look like that, trying to scare them.
Squinted eyes, slow blinking . This means the opposite of what was discussed above - the cat is saying that it is happy to be around another cat, animal or person and that it trusts them.
5. Body
Shifting paws . It is a sign of love, comfort and satisfaction.
The cat rubs against your legs . When your pet does this, she leaves her scent on you, marking you as part of “her territory.” This is a sign of love.
The cat rolls over onto its back and exposes its belly . This is how the cat shows its submission. She compliments you, saying that she loves and trusts you.
Straight feet . If the cat's paws are straight and upright, head up and ears perked, the cat is happy, curious and confident. Conversely, flexed front and rear legs indicate that the cat prefers to avoid a fight, but will defend itself if necessary.
Arched back . In kittens this is usually a playful position - they want to play fight. In adult cats, however, this usually means that the cat is preparing for a real fight. This stance is accompanied by flattened ears, wide open eyes and the hair standing on end on the back and tail.
When you're trying to interpret a cat's body language, it's important to look at the whole body, not just one specific part. It is important to take into account the environment and the cat’s voice messages. I hope you have fun, have fun, and have a lot of positive emotions while trying to understand her!
