Glossary

Tail language

What the position and movement of a cat's tail reveal about its mood, from a friendly upright tail to a lashing one.

Also called: cat tail positions, tail up, tail wrap, tail twitching

A cat's tail is one of the clearest signs of its feelings. A tail held straight up, often with a small curl or quiver at the tip, is a friendly greeting. Cats carry it that way when they approach people or cats they trust. A tail that wraps around your leg or another cat's tail is also affectionate.

A relaxed cat carries its tail low or in a gentle curve. A tail that swishes slowly may mean the cat is concentrating, while a hard, fast lash shows irritation and means you should stop what you are doing. A twitching tip often means the cat is aroused or conflicted. Tucking the tail under the body shows fear or insecurity, and a puffed-up tail, the bottle brush, shows fright or anger, see piloerection. A tail quivering while held upright can mean either excitement or, in some cats, the start of spraying.

Signals vary between individuals and breeds. Bobtailed and short-tailed cats such as the Manx rely more on the ears and body. A tail that hangs limp, is held at an odd angle or is painful to touch needs a vet check.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Body language How a cat shows mood and intent through its tail, ears, eyes, whiskers, posture and fur. Piloerection The upright bristling of a cat's fur, most often a sign of fear or arousal, which makes the cat look larger. Bunting A cat pressing its head, cheeks or chin against a person, object or another cat to leave scent and say hello. Hissing A sharp, breathy warning sound a frightened or angry cat makes to tell another animal or person to back off.

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