Cat Whispering

Here at Saving Grace LA, we are learning loads, every day, from our animals. So much so that we've decided to do a weekly blog series on Cat Whispering.
Our first installation involves cat tails...of the animal, not vegetal, variety. What in the world do all those various cat tail positions mean? And does the cat really use its tail for balance?

My neighbor stopped by yesterday, delighted that  my super-timid cat, Pippy, greeted her with her "Parade Tail" held high in greeting. My other cat, the gregarious Brian, often shakes his little rump & tail when he greets me. Happy, right? But what does it mean when the end of his tail bends a little? And do cats really counterbalance their weight with their tails?


Apparently, yes, not quite the way squirrels and kangaroos do, but kitties they are dynamic little creatures, and the rare ones born without tails are missing out more than we'd imagine!

Now, everyone should know that flicking and thumping tails mean "Get Away From Me. (thump!) Now!" But what about the rest of it? Here is a list that should help:

Typical Cat Tail Positions and What They Mean

• Sideways S Curve: the tail curving gently down, then up again at the end means that the cat is relaxed and all is well with the world.
  
• Tail slightly raised with a soft curve: something has piqued the cat's interest.
   
• Upright Tail Without Bristling, the tip may be tilted over: A full-fledged friendly greeting to another cat or to a human who appears to be no threat; the tilted tailtip signifies slight reservations.

• Upright Tail stiffly vertical: Wholehearted happiness and excitement when anticipating something nice, like a snack. This is a holdover from kitten stage, when greeting mom, and inviting her to inspect the kitten's rear end.

• Upright Tail with the whole length quivering: Gentle quivering may be seen after a cat has been greeted by its human. The same action when the cat is marking its territory outdoors. This gesture seems to connect to a statement of personal identification as if to say, "yes, this is me!"

• Slightly Raised Tail but Gently Curved: Something has caught the cat’s interest.
  
• Tail held still, but gently switching: mild irritation. If the twitching increases, a swipe from the paw may be imminent.
  
• Tail held to one side: Sexual invitation of a female cat in heat; a signal to the male that he can mount without being attacked...and for cat rescuers, a signal that this cat has not yet been spayed. 
  
• Tail held straight and fully bristled: This is the sign of an aggressive cat.
  
• Tail arched and bristled: a defensive stance which may indicate the cat will attack if provoked further. Puffed fur on the tail and the arched back make the cat look larger and is nature's tactic to deter the enemy.
  

The chart above is also a good guide, and if you are curious about that, you can read more here.

Next on our blog, we'll cover ears, eyes, whiskers, mouth, vocalization, and body language.  If you pay attention, you may end up getting a stint as a Cat Whisperer!