What Your Cat Tells With Its Tale

Since animals are not as vocal as we humans, their other senses are very sensitive.  Body language is everything in the animal kingdom and usually comes down to two messages; distance increasing or distance decreasing, after all that is what keeps it alive and decreases risk of harm.

Tails, ears, eyes, whiskers are used in their non-vocal communications, along with body positions.  For example, if your cat walks up to you with a confident gait, his tail high over its back, it is looking for interaction.

A cat's tail is not just a tool for balancing, it is a flag!  or not.  Since the cat's tail is easily visible when upright, he can use it to tell others if he is open to interaction....or not.  Like a flag it can be seen from far away and its position can be read by other cats.  When straight up with a slight curl to the end usually means 'I am friendly'.  When held parallel to the body, horizontally, half-lowered and when walking it may mean he is relaxed.  When lowered to the ground, it can mean aggression.  A lashing, whipping motion usually means agitation,  I see this all to frequently in the clinic.

The tail by itself is not the tell all of the cat's mood.  But when you add the tale language with the rest of his body language, it speaks volumes.  Again, I invite you to think cat, watch your cat during it's interaction with you and others, watch his tail in relation to other body postures and see if you can interpret what you can is saying with his body.