Cat Tail Talk

When caring for your cat or having a cat at all, it's essential to know your cat's mood, and what it's saying/thinking. One good way to find this out is to look at your cat's tail. 

The tail is curved gently downwards, and then curved up again at the tip.

The cat is relaxed and comfortable. 

The tail is rather raised and slightly curved. 

The cat is beginning to be interested in something. 

The tail is up, and tilted at the tip.

The cat is very interested and feeling happy/friendly.

The tail is fully erect and vertical. 

The cat is making a friendly, cheery greeting.

The tail is erect and quivering slightly. 

The cat is being affectionate. 

The tail is twitching slightly.

The cat is thinking, or is slightly annoyed. 

The tail is twitching more vigorously.

In most cases this means the cat is very annoyed.

The tail is swishing vigorously. 

The cat is angry. 

The tail is erect and bristled.

The cat is showing aggression. 

The tail is hooked and bristled.

The cat may attack, or may just be feeling very playful. 

The tail is lowered and fluffed out. 

The cat is scared. 

The tail is raised and fluffed out. 

The cat is happily chasing around. 

The tail is between the cat's legs. 

The cat is showing defeat towards another cat, or may be ill. 

Credit for the pictures goes to CatStuff: Tail Talk.