Cats always give people the impression of being very proud animals. Although they are human pets, they are not completely domesticated. If owners want to understand what cats are thinking, they can actually look at the cat’s tail. The way a cat moves its tail can indicate its current state and mood.

　　Tail slightly bent downward, tail tip slightly bent upward: This indicates that the cat is enjoying a leisurely and comfortable life.

　　Tail slightly raised and softly curved: The cat is showing interest in something in front of it.

　　Tail raised, tail tip curved: This shows the cat has strong interest in you and is friendly and willing to get close, but still a little reserved.

　　Tail raised with the tip standing straight: The cat is very willing to get close and has no reservations. Adult cats do this as they learn from kittens’ behavior when approaching their mother. Kittens signal this to ask their mother to check their rear end.

　　Tail completely down and tucked between the hind legs: This is a sign of panic, or a submissive cat showing its low status within the cat community to other cats.

　　Tail down with fur standing up: This indicates the cat feels very scared.

　　Tail swung strongly from side to side: This signal means the cat feels very angry. If the tail keeps forcefully swinging from one side to the other, it means the cat is ready to attack at any time.

　　Tail held still but the tip suddenly vibrates: This tail movement shows the cat is slightly irritated. The stronger the tip vibrates, the more likely the cat is going to claw.

　　Tail raised and shaking: A slight shake often appears on a cat that has just been gently petted by its owner. This body language seems to carry a sense of "personal identification."

　　Tail held to one side: When a female cat is ready to mate with a male cat, she moves her tail to one side. When a male cat sees this posture, it knows it can approach her without being attacked.

　　Tail straight up with fur also standing up: This is a defensive signal, indicating that if the threat continues, the cat will attack.

　　Interestingly, many of the meanings of cat tails are the opposite of dogs, no wonder cats and dogs often fight when they meet — it’s “language barrier.” We cat owners can observe cats’ body language more often, and by watching their tails, we can understand many things. This makes it easier to know what the cat wants to express, making communication simpler.