Why do cats swish or wag their tails?
A cat shows its mood through the height, shape, speed and fur of its tail.
A cat's tail shows how it feels. A tail held straight up, often with a curl at the tip, is a friendly hello; if it quivers too, your cat is happy. A puffed tail means fright, a low or tucked tail means worry, and a tail that swishes, lashes or thumps is not a happy dog-style wag: it means I have had enough, give me space. Always read the tail together with the ears, eyes and body.
Usually normal. A moving tail is just normal cat talk. A limp or crooked tail, or a low tail that keeps flicking in a cat that seems unwell, is one for the vet.
How to read a cat's tail
- 1
The tail is part of the spine
A cat's tail is a row of about 18 to 23 small bones with muscles around them. That is why it can curl, quiver, whip and wrap around things.
- 2
Height, shape, speed and fur
Look at four things. Height: up is friendly and confident, low is unsure or afraid. Shape: a curl at the tip is a friendly hello. Speed: slow and loose is friendly, fast and stiff means keep your distance. Fur: a puffed tail is fright. The faster the tail moves, the more tense the cat.
- 3
Why a tail puffs up
Tiny muscles at the roots of the hairs make the fur stand up, just like goosebumps. The tail then looks two or three times thicker and the cat looks bigger.
- 4
A tail for balance
The tail also works as a counterweight. On a narrow ledge, a fence or during a jump it swings the other way to the body, so the cat does not fall.
- 5
Read the tail with the rest of the cat
The tail is only part of the story. In a large study of shelter cats, the ears said more about how a meeting would go than the tail. So look at the ears, eyes, body and what is going on around your cat too.
- 6
A blanket when it is cold
In a chilly room a cat may curl its tail around its body to keep warm.
What each tail position means
Tail straight up
A friendly, confident hello. Your cat wants contact and usually rubs against your legs next.
HappyGo ahead and say hello
Tail up like a question mark
A friendly hello and an invitation to stroke or play. It does not mean your cat is confused.
HappyGo ahead and say hello
Tail up, tip bent forward
Seems to show great joy or anticipation, for example just before a meal.
HappyGo ahead and say hello
Tail up and quivering
Great excitement: your cat sees its favourite person or a cat friend, or expects food or play.
HappyGo ahead and say hello
Quivering tail against a wall
Spraying: your cat leaves a scent message with urine. This is not a greeting.
AlertTake it slowly
Tail loose at back height
Relaxed, calm and confident. Between cats it goes with a friendly approach.
RelaxedGo ahead and say hello
Tail hanging loosely
Relaxed. Any movement is slow; your cat is in no hurry.
RelaxedGo ahead and say hello
Slow, lazy sway
Relaxed and comfortable. Speed and tension are what set it apart from an annoyed swish.
RelaxedGo ahead and say hello
Tail in an upside-down U
Great excitement and play. Mostly seen in kittens and young cats chasing each other.
PlayfulGo ahead and say hello
Tail wrapped around you
Affection and trust, a bit like a hug. Cats that are close friends wrap their tails around each other too.
HappyGo ahead and say hello
Tail straight out and still
Full focus and alert, for example when your cat is on the prowl.
HuntingTake it slowly
Tip twitching at a bird or toy
Hunting focus and excitement. If your cat cannot reach the prey, it can be frustration too. It is not anger.
HuntingTake it slowly
Tip flicking while you pet
An early warning: it is getting too much and the mood can change fast. Stop and give space.
AnnoyedTake it slowly
Slow swish while stalking
Focused on a toy, bird or other animal and maybe ready to pounce. With a toy, this is good play.
HuntingTake it slowly
Tail swishing side to side
Annoyance or impatience, not a dog-style wag. The faster and broader the swish, the more tense the cat.
AnnoyedTake it slowly
Tail lashing hard and fast
Angry or very annoyed: a warning before hissing, swiping or biting. Keep away.
AngryGive it some space
Tail thumping down
Annoyed or frustrated. On a lap it is one of the most missed signs that your cat has had enough petting.
AnnoyedGive it some space
Slow flop while purring
Possibly just content. Do check the face: soft and purring is relaxed, a tense body is not.
RelaxedGo ahead and say hello
Bottle-brush tail
Scared or threatened: your cat makes itself look bigger. It is a bluff out of fear, and it may lash out if pushed. Step back.
ScaredGive it some space
Fluffed tail in play
Excited in a friendly way. Forward ears and playful moves mean play, not fear.
PlayfulGo ahead and say hello
Stiff tail down, fur up
A threat posture: your cat is trying to look big and scary. Do not touch or approach.
AngryGive it some space
Tail up, tip curving down
Seen in tense meetings between cats, but also in play. The rest of the body tells you which.
AlertTake it slowly
Tail held low
Unease, worry or discontent, or your cat may be hiding pain. Sometimes it is just getting ready for a nap.
TenseTake it slowly
Tail tucked under
Afraid or insecure. A frightened cat that cannot get away may hiss, swat or bite. Leave it alone until it calms down.
ScaredGive it some space
Tail wrapped round, resting
Most often just a comfy resting position. A cat also does it to keep warm.
RelaxedGo ahead and say hello
Tail wrapped tight, tense
Your cat wants distance and no contact. A curled tail only means rest or cold when the whole cat looks relaxed.
TenseGive it some space
Low flicking tail, off-colour
Possibly pain, discomfort or fear. If your cat also eats less, drinks differently or hides, see a vet soon.
TenseTake it slowly
Limp or crooked tail
Often an injury, for example after the tail was pulled or caught. See a vet.
UnsureTake it slowly
Tail twitching in sleep
Your cat is sleeping deeply and feels safe. It is probably dreaming.
RelaxedGo ahead and say helloTail to one side in heat
A female cat in heat may do this to show she is ready to mate. Spayed cats do not.
AlertTake it slowly
Why does a cat move its tail?
Showing how it feels
Most commonMost tail movement is talking. With its tail a cat greets people and other cats, shows joy or worry, and warns when it has had enough. Cats use the same signs with each other, so your cat talks to you as it would to another cat.
How to tell- Up with a curled tip: hello
- Puffed or tucked: afraid
- Swishing, lashing or thumping: annoyed
Keeping balance
Every dayA cat uses its tail as a counterweight. On a narrow ledge, a fence or a jump the tail swings the other way so the cat does not fall. That is really why a cat has a tail.
How to tell- The tail moves along on a narrow edge
- The tail swings during a jump or turn
Hunting a bird or a toy
Common in indoor catsA cat that watches a bird, stalks a toy or waits to pounce twitches the tip of its tail or swishes it slowly. It is excited and focused, not angry. If it cannot reach the prey, it can also be frustration.
How to tell- Body still or low, eyes fixed on one thing
- Only the tip moves
- Chattering at birds
Too much petting or irritation
Very commonA tail that flicks, thumps or lashes while you pet or hold your cat usually means it has gone on too long or your cat is unsure. Cats also swish when something bothers them, when they are frustrated or cannot decide, like wanting to go out but not in the rain.
How to tell- First the tip flicks, then the tail thumps or swishes
- Rippling skin or ears turning back
- Stops purring or wants to leave
A friendly hello
DailyA tail held up, often with a curled or quivering tip, is a greeting. Cats do this much more often when they walk up to a person than to another cat. Usually they then rub against your legs.
How to tell- Tail straight up as it walks to you
- Soft face, ears up
- Rubbing, circling your legs, tail wrapped round you
Marking a spot
Mostly in unneutered or stressed catsIf a cat backs up to a wall or door frame with its tail up and quivering or vibrating and its back feet treading, it is probably spraying urine as a scent message. That is different from the quiver of a happy greeting.
How to tell- Quivering tail against an upright surface
- Treading back feet
Pain or feeling unwell
UncommonA low tail that flicks or wags while your cat lies down, a limp tail or a tail at an odd angle can point to pain or an injury. Cats hide pain well, so small changes are easy to miss.
How to tell- Eats less, drinks differently or hides more
- Tail limp or crooked
- Avoids being touched near the tail
The tail when you pet it, when it lies down, at birds and at mealtimes
- Your cat swishes its tail while you pet it
- This is what people ask about most. First the tip flicks, then the tail thumps or swishes: the petting is getting too much, even if your cat is still purring. Stop, take your hands away and let it come back by itself. Do not wait for a bite or swipe; the tail is the warning. Long strokes in one spot and the belly are common triggers.
- On your lap, the tail thumps
- A cat on your lap that thumps its tail is often saying it has had enough, even though it is close to you. Gently stop petting and see whether it settles or leaves. If it lies there with half-closed eyes, a soft face and slow movements, it may simply be content.
- Your cat wags its tail while lying down
- A tail that sways slowly or twitches in sleep is usually relaxed or dreaming. A tail that thrashes while your cat lies awake means annoyance. A low tail that keeps flicking, with changes in eating or drinking or more hiding, can mean pain. Compare with how your cat normally lies.
- Watching birds through a window
- The tip twitches or the tail swishes lightly, and your cat may chatter. It is in hunting mode and cannot reach the prey. Play with a wand toy afterwards so it can finish the hunt.
- At the door or before a meal
- A tail straight up, hooked or quivering, while your cat rubs against your legs, is a happy greeting. A tail up with the tip bent forward seems to show that it is really looking forward to food.
- Two cats meet
- Cats that know and like each other often come with the tail up, rub against each other or wrap their tails together. Between cats the tail is usually held low, and the ears say more. A tail curled round the body with ears back means: give me space.
- A puffed tail at a visitor, something outside or a new noise
- Your cat is startled or frightened and making itself bigger, often sideways with an arched back, sometimes hissing. Stay calm, do not pick it up and do not corner it. Let it hide and settle.
- A puffed tail during play
- Excited cats and kittens sometimes fluff their tail while chasing a toy or each other, ears forward and body bouncy. That is not fear. If your cat hisses, flattens its ears or turns sideways with an arched back, it has stopped being play.
What to do when the tail swishes or thumps
- 1
Look at the whole cat before you read the tail: ears, eyes, body and what is going on around it.
The tail alone can mislead you; in a large study the ears said more.
- 2
Notice how fast, stiff and low the tail moves. Slow, loose and lifted is friendly; fast, stiff and low means keep your distance.
Speed and tension show how worked up your cat is.
- 3
Does the tip flick or the tail thump while you pet? Stop at once, take your hands away and let your cat come back by itself.
It is the warning before a swipe or nip, and stopping keeps your cat trusting your hands.
- 4
Is the tail lashing? Give space, remove whatever bothers your cat and leave it a way to go or hide.
An annoyed cat that is pushed can turn aggressive.
- 5
Is the tail puffed or tucked? Stay calm and quiet, do not corner or pick up your cat, and let it hide until it settles.
Your cat is afraid and may defend itself if it feels trapped.
- 6
Does the tip twitch at birds or toys? Have a play session with a wand toy.
It lets your cat finish the hunt it is thinking about.
- 7
Learn what your own cat's tail normally does, and notice a change: a tail that hangs, stays low or no longer moves as before.
Cats hide pain, so a change in the tail may be the first sign.
Better not
- Do not keep stroking or holding a cat whose tail tip flicks or whose tail thumps.Your cat is torn and may suddenly bite or swipe.
- Do not take a swishing tail as a wag or an invitation to play.It is annoyance, and playing with an annoyed cat can end in a bite.
- Do not pick up, corner or startle a cat with a puffed or tucked tail.It is frightened and close to defending itself.
- Do not punish your cat for tail signals, hissing or turning away.The tail is how your cat warns you; punishment teaches it to skip the warning and trust you less.
- Do not pull, grab or squeeze the tail.The tail is part of the spine; pulling can hurt the nerves, which can even affect peeing and pooing.
When to see a vet?
Normal tail talk needs no vet. Do go if the tail is limp or crooked, or if a low, flicking or swishing tail comes with signs that your cat is sick or feels unwell.
- The tail hangs limp or sits at an odd angle, especially after a pull, a fall or being caught in a door: the same day, as nerve damage can affect peeing and pooing.
- The tail is in an unnatural position and your cat cries out or avoids touch: the same day, it may be a break or injury.
- A low tail that flicks or wags while your cat lies down, and it eats less, drinks differently or hides more: book a visit as soon as you can.
- A cat bite that swells, turns red or gets painful: have it checked promptly.
- Sudden new lashing, or a tail that stays low for no clear reason: have your cat checked, since pain can cause both.
What research says
The ears predicted a meeting better than the tail
Researchers watched 29 cats in a shelter group for 100 hours and logged 254 meetings between cats. When both cats had their ears up, it went friendly far more often, with rubbing or staying close. Both cats usually held the tail down (in 75.6 percent), so the tail said little. Tail movement was not recorded.
Deputte, Jumelet, Gilbert en Titeux, 2021Cats raise the tail more for people than for other cats
In the same study a cat raised its tail much more often when it walked up to a person than to another cat, and then usually rubbed against the legs. The researchers think cats may greet us a little as a kitten greets its mother, but that has not been tested.
Deputte et al., 2021A raised tail is a friendly sign
Cats walked up faster and with less hesitation to a cat silhouette with its tail up than to one with its tail down. Small wild cats did not use this greeting, so it probably came about when cats became pets. A later study could only partly confirm this.
Cameron-Beaumont, 1997Cats use the tail to stay on a narrow beam
Cats walked along a narrow beam that moved sideways, and their tail swung the other way. Without a working tail they fell far more often: in 16.1 percent of tries instead of 4.6 percent. So the tail really helps with balance.
Walker, Vierck en Ritz, 1998
Story or true?
A wagging tail means a happy cat, just like a dog.
No. A swishing, lashing or thumping cat tail usually means annoyance, and big swishes can mean a swipe is close. The happy signs are a tail held up, a curled tip or a light quiver.
A raised tail always means a cat is friendly.
A raised tail shows your cat is ready for action. The ears, face and fur tell you whether it is friendly, playing or threatening.
A swishing tail is an invitation to play.
Swishing is a warning, and dogs and children often get it wrong. Playing with an annoyed cat can end in a bite or scratch.
The tail alone tells you how a cat feels.
Always read the tail with the ears, eyes, body and what is going on. In one study the ears said more than the tail.
A tail wrapped around the body always means the cat is cold or resting.
Only when the whole cat is relaxed. A cat crouched low with ears back and a tightly curled tail wants distance.
A cat that walks up with its tail up is showing it is the boss.
That 'being the boss' idea does not fit animals well. A tail up with ears up is a friendly greeting, often followed by rubbing.
Did you know?
- 18 to 23 bones
A cat's tail has about 18 to 23 small bones. That is why it moves so freely.
- 2 to 3 times
A puffed tail can look two or three times thicker than normal.
- A house-cat hello
Small wild cats kept in groups did not greet each other with the tail up. That friendly hello seems to have come about when cats became pets.
- 4.6% vs 16.1%
In a balance test, cats fell off a moving beam in 4.6 percent of tries, and in 16.1 percent when their tail no longer worked.
- A flag for kittens
A mother cat often walks ahead with her tail up, so her kittens can follow it.
- A little stub
A Manx with only a small stub often moves it as if it were a whole tail.
Kittens and older cats
- Kitten
Kittens and young cats raise the base of the tail and hold the rest stiff when they play, like an upside-down U. It means: this is great fun!
Frequently asked questions
Why does my cat swish its tail when I pet it?
Most often the petting has become too much, or your cat is unsure. A flicking tip, then thumping or swishing, is the warning before a nip. Stop, take your hands away and let it come back by itself.
Why do cats swish, flick or whip their tails?
Mostly annoyance or impatience, not joy. The faster and broader the swish, the more tense the cat. A tail that whips hard and fast from side to side means anger, and a hiss, swipe or bite may follow, so give your cat space.
Do cats wag their tails like dogs when they are happy?
No. A cat swishing or lashing its tail is usually annoyed or tense. You see a happy cat by a tail held straight up, a curl at the tip or a light quiver. Only a slow, lazy sway in a loose, relaxed cat is calm.
Why does my cat wiggle its tail?
A tail tip that wiggles or twitches while your cat watches a bird or a toy means hunting focus and excitement, not anger. A slow wiggle of the whole tail while it crouches means it may be about to pounce. A slow, loose sway when it is lying about is just relaxed. If the tip flicks while you pet it, stop: it is getting too much.
Why does my cat hit me with its tail?
A tail thumping on your lap or against you while you pet your cat usually means it has had enough. It is one of the most missed signs. Stop petting, and check the ears and body too.
Why does my cat wrap its tail around me?
Out of affection and trust, a bit like a hug. It is often part of a greeting, and cats that are close friends wrap their tails around each other too.
Why does my cat wag its tail when lying down?
Slow sways and sleepy twitches usually mean relaxed or dreaming. Hard thumping or fast swishing is annoyance. If a low tail keeps flicking and your cat eats, drinks or hides differently than usual, book a vet visit.
Why is my cat's tail quivering or shaking?
A raised tail that quivers or shakes lightly is usually joy, for example when your cat sees you or expects food or play. If it backs up to a wall or door frame, tail vibrating and back feet treading, it is probably spraying to mark.
Why does my cat's tail puff up?
A tail that puffs or fluffs up mostly means fear or a fright: the fur stands up so your cat looks bigger. Step back, stay calm and do not pick it up. A slightly fluffed tail with forward ears during play is just fun.
What does it mean when a cat walks with its tail up, or in a question mark?
A friendly, confident hello. A curl at the tip, like a question mark, is an invitation to stroke or play, not confusion. Your cat often rubs against your legs next.
What does it mean when a cat's tail is low, between the legs or wrapped round it?
Low or tucked means unease or fear; give space and quiet. A tail round the body is also simply how a relaxed cat rests or keeps warm. A tight curl on a crouched cat with ears back means it wants distance.
Why do cats have tails?
For balance and for talking. The tail works as a counterweight on narrow ledges, jumps and quick turns: on a moving beam, cats without a working tail fell in 16.1 percent of tries, against 4.6 percent with one. And cats use it to show people and other cats how they feel. Wrapped round the body, it also keeps your cat warm.
Can a cat break its tail?
Yes. The tail is part of the spine and can be injured or even broken, for example when it is pulled, caught in a door or stepped on. If it hangs limp or crooked, or your cat cries out when touched, see a vet the same day.
How accurate is cat tail language?
Useful, but not the whole story. In the one large study of tail position, in shelter cats, the ears said more about how a meeting would go than the tail. So always read the tail together with the ears, eyes and body.
A cat at home?
Register your cat with SpotKat for free, with photos and chip number in one place.
