Why Is My Cat's Tail Fur Standing on End?

People who do not know much about cats believe that they are unable to express themselves like dogs. However, cats have the ability to communicate using different signals and gestures. Understanding what your cat is trying to tell you will allow you to know when to play with your pet and when to leave it alone. While cats may seem aloof and difficult to read, paying attention to its tail can tell you a lot about its moods, feelings and needs.

  1. Tail Fur Standing on End

    • Generally, a cat reacts with fluffed up tail when it comes across something new and strange. This could be a new pet, a stranger or a new object in the house. This basically is a warning. It will fluff its tail whenever it sees anything that appears threatening or intimidating. Along with this, the cat will stand sideways, and also have dilated pupils and wide eyes. When the tail fur fluffs out, the cat appears to be bigger than its actual size and it hopes that this will frighten away the threatening object, animal or person.

    Spitting and Hissing

    • If the fluffing of the tail does not intimidate the threat, the cat may begin hissing and spitting. At this point, the cat will push its ears backwards, arch its back and the tail will become fluffier. This is an offensive stance and it is best to leave the cat alone until it calms down.

    Upright Tail

    • A cat with an upright tail is a confident, happy and contented cat. The ears also will be upright. This is the right time to pet your cat. At this point, you may be rewarded with a lick or rubbing of the head in response to the petting.

    Swishing Tail

    • A cat swishing the tail back and forth is annoyed. Besides the tail movement, the ears will be flattened against the head and the whiskers will be pushed back tightly against the face. This is not the right time to pet or play with your cat. It is best to leave the cat alone until it calms down.

    Hooked Tail

    • A tail that is shaped like a question mark is a sign of a curious and cautious cat. When something strange happens around the cat and it cannot figure it out, it will respond by curving the tip of the tail like a hook.