Why it happens
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Tail straight up
An upright tail, sometimes with a slight hook at the tip, is a friendly greeting. It is how a cat meets you at the door or walks up to a cat it knows.
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A puffed-up tail
A tail fluffed out like a bottle brush with an arched back means strong fear or readiness to defend itself. The cat wants to look bigger, so it is best left alone.
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A lashing tail
Unlike a dog's, a cat's wagging is not joy. A tail lashing from side to side or thumping the floor shows irritation or high arousal, while a twitch at the very tip alone shows interest, for instance when watching a bird.
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Tail low or tucked
A tail held low or tucked under the body shows fear or anxiety. The cat is trying to look smaller and stay unnoticed.
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Ears
Ears pointing forwards show curiosity and calm. Ears turned sideways or flattened back mean fear or anger, and ears constantly swivelling show tension.
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Eyes
A slow blink and half-closed eyes are a sign of trust. Wide pupils can mean fear but also the thrill of play, and a fixed, unblinking stare is a challenge to another cat.
What helps
- Read the whole cat One sign can mean different things, so look at the tail, ears, eyes and posture together. A relaxed cat lies loosely; a tense one hunches, crouches low or freezes.
- Stop when the tail starts lashing If the tail of a cat you are stroking starts to twitch or lash and the skin on its back ripples, stop stroking. You avoid scratches, and the cat learns that its signals are respected.
- Answer with a slow blink Look at the cat and slowly close your eyes halfway. Many cats answer in kind: it is a calm way of showing you are no threat.
- Let a frightened cat retreat Do not reach for or pick up a cat with a puffed-up or tucked tail. Leave its way to a hiding place clear and give it time to calm down.
- A tail is not a handle The tail is an extension of the spine and full of nerves. Do not let children pull or grab it, and teach them to recognise when the cat wants to be left alone.
When it is a question for a vet
See a vet if the cat suddenly stops raising its tail, the tail hangs limp and does not move, the cat will not let you touch it or chews it, if you see a wound or swelling at the base of the tail, or if the cat also has trouble with its back legs or cannot hold its urine. A tail caught in a door can suffer nerve damage.