Cat possession can be quite a bit simpler if our pets may inform us their ideas. Nonetheless, till somebody develops a cat-to-human translator, we’ve got to make use of context clues and our pet’s physique language to decipher their moods.
A cat’s tail is among the most expressive elements of their physique. So, in case your cat’s tail is twitching, you’re in all probability questioning what they’re considering. Sadly, a quivering tail can imply many alternative issues, so that you’ll must put in your considering cap to find out what’s occurring.
From the fun of working towards their looking abilities to the frustration of aggravating conditions, there are various potential causes on your cat’s tail twitching. Learn on to study extra so you’ll be able to start to higher perceive your cat’s temper and the driving forces behind this habits.
The 6 Causes Why Cats Twitch Their Tails
1. They’re Searching
Cats will generally twitch their tails as a result of they’re looking or enjoying. This occurs after they’re targeted intensely on their prey, whether or not it’s a real-life mouse or a fluffy one you simply purchased from Amazon.
2. They’re Excited
When youngsters are pleased and excited, they typically bounce up and down as a solution to launch their pent-up vitality and specific their enthusiasm. Our cats don’t have the identical capacity to point out their happiness, so a quivering tail may also mark anticipation and pleasure.
3. They’re Aggravated
When your cat twitches the tip of their tail strongly backward and forward, it might be that they’re mildly irritated or pissed off. This might be a warning signal that your pet isn’t keen on one thing you’ve been doing, however they’re not fairly on the level but the place they’re going to take the subsequent step and act on their annoyance.
4. They’re Feeling Aggressive
Tail twitching is typically additionally related to aggression. The extra your pet’s tail strikes backwards and forwards, the much less pleased they could be. Fast tail actions can imply they’re issuing a risk to you or one other pet within the dwelling. You may also see different aggressive behaviors, corresponding to growling or hissing. Their tails may additionally thwack audibly on the ground or close by partitions.
5. They’re Spraying
You realize your cat is spraying after they rise up, maintain their tail straight up within the air, and put their rear finish towards a goal (e.g., partitions, bedding, curtains, and so on.). Their tail will likely be quivering, they usually’ll spray urine onto an object.
Spraying is most certainly to happen in cats which have reached sexual maturity, and it will probably happen in each female and male cats. It occurs most frequently in intact women and men in warmth, although these which have been spayed or neutered may also spray.
6. They Have Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS)—often known as “twitchy cat syndrome”—is a uncommon situation that causes elevated sensitivity to the touch and uncontrollable muscle contractions. FHS is poorly understood, and its root trigger remains to be unknown, although it’s most frequently attributed to neurological, psychological, or dermatological causes. Earlier than it may be identified, different circumstances that trigger related indicators should be dominated out.
Cats with this situation might quiver their tail, however they’ll typically exhibit different indicators, together with:
- Rippling or twitching of pores and skin on the again
- Biting or licking themselves (significantly within the again, facet, and rear areas)
- Ache or discomfort when petted
- Dilated pupils
- Transient bursts of operating
- Tail chasing
How Can I Know Why My Cat’s Tail Is Twitching?
With so many causes on your cat’s tail twitching, it will probably really feel not possible to find out what your cat is feeling. Nonetheless, it’s really comparatively simple in the event you cease and contemplate your habits and your kitty’s present surroundings.
Take into consideration what your kitty is at the moment doing, their physique language, and what’s occurring round them to find out the precise cause on your pet’s tail twitching.
For instance, a cat that your toddler is tormenting is unlikely to be twitching their tail out of pleasure, particularly if their ears are pulled again they usually’re staring your little one down. It’s more likely on this state of affairs that your cat is feeling aggravated and able to strike.
Likewise, in the event you’re utilizing your cat’s favourite toy to play with them, it’s unlikely they’re twitching their tail as a result of they’re spraying or feeling aggressive.
What Else Your Cat’s Tail Cat Inform You
Cats exhibit different tail postures apart from twitching as a result of it’s one of many few methods they’ll convey their temper and talk with different cats and people.
| Query mark tail | Pleasant, playful |
| Puffy tail | Afraid, defensive, or aggressive |
| Low tail | Unease or worry |
| Tucked below: | Fearful or anxious |
| Straight up: | Assured, pleased, pleasant |
| Wagging: | Offended, pissed off |
| Gradual swish: | Targeted, doubtlessly looking |
| Fast thrashing: | Aggravated, uncertainty |
How Else Do Cats Convey Temper?
Cats don’t solely use their tails to convey their temper. Different delicate (and never so delicate) physique language cues embody:
- Facial expressions. The methods your cat strikes their eyes, ears, and mouth can point out their temper. Cats feeling relaxed may have regular eye and ear positioning, whereas these feeling offended may have erect ears and narrowed eyes. Cats with flattened ears and dilated pupils could also be fearful.
- Eye contact. How a lot eye contact your cat is holding can inform you how relaxed or confrontational they’re feeling. These sluggish blinking with a peaceful stare might really feel comfy and composed, whereas these staring with out blinking could also be difficult you.
- Posture. Cats exhibiting the traditional black cat Halloween pose with an arched again and bottle brush tail are feeling aggressive or defensive, whereas these stretched out with their bellies up are relaxed and comfy.
Last Ideas
As you’ll be able to see, a cat’s tail twitches can imply loads of issues. It’ll be laborious to find out the precise cause behind your pet’s tail actions with out additionally making an allowance for their physique language and context clues from their surroundings. Nonetheless, when you contemplate what else is going on in your cat’s world and how one can learn their physique language, you’ll be an skilled in your pet’s moods and emotions.
Featured Picture Credit score: olivier.laurent.photographs, Shutterstock
