Are Cat Tail Movements Voluntary?

You've watched Lucy lightly tap her tail while she sleeps. You've probably also seen it swish about madly when she spies a bird or some other interesting potential prey. That's not reflex at work; she knows exactly what she's doing with that tail. Pay attention, because it tells a story.

  1. Nuts and Bolts of Tails

    • Like her erect ears and her wide whiskers, Lucy's tail is more than for enhancing her cute factor; it has a job or two to do. If all's well with her tail, she has complete control over it. A cat's tail contains about 10 percent of her body's bones, between 19 and 23 vertebrae. The vertebrae are held together by an extensive network of muscles, tendons and ligaments, giving her tail great mobility. A male cat's tale averages 11 inches long, while a female's averages just shy of 10 inches.

    Tail for Balance

    • Pay attention the next time Lucy perches precariously on the back of your chair. You'll probably notice her tail swaying back and forth. She's not fanning her bottom, she's using her tail as a counterweight. Whether she's navigating a narrow fence top or making a sharp turn during one of her play streaks, her tail helps her maintain her balance. Its side-to-side and up-and-down mobility helps her steady herself when she might otherwise stumble.

    Talk to the Tail

    • Lucy doesn't speak English, so she relies on her tail, the international language of cats. If she's feeling content, Lucy's tail will be straight up. A bit of a curl on the top of that straight tail indicates she's feeling friendly but a bit unsure. If she greets you at the door with the straight tail rapidly quivering, she's very happy to see you. In a relaxed mood, her tail will be horizontal behind her or even drooping. When she's sitting and watching the world go by, you'll know if something fascinating has her attention if her tail twitches at the tip. If her entire tail thrashes, be forewarned: she's not pleased. If she's especially angry, her entire tail will puff up to resemble a fluffy bottle brush. In case you ever wondered, Lucy can use her tail to make an impolite gesture; if her upright tail suddenly jerks forward, she's giving you the business.

    Cat Tail Tales

    • Cats communicate with each other with their tails. A mother cat will raise her tail upright to signal her babies to follow her. The kitten's upright tail helps mom locate where she's wandered off to. Cats will tail-twine in greeting, wrapping their tails together to help exchange their scents. Your pant leg has probably received the same treatment -- and if you responded with pets or treats, Lucy got what she was after. Cats may also wag their tails at other cats as an invitation to play.