When you stroke your cat,

Thats a cute thing to tell your kids. Lol!!! I have never noticd that before. I cant really tell with my cats because they dont have tails.

When I was younger I thought that cats would fart when you slid your hand down their back, kind of like you were sliding the gas down the tubes. I decided that the tail came up when you reached the base of it because the cat didn't want to blow the hair off their tail with the escaping gas. Now I figure it is a result of the stimulation of the nerves in the spine and it is a reaction to that stimulation....although I like the fart idea much better!

I have never really paid much attention to it. We have not owned a cat in a very long time though. Cats just do not seem to likeme for some reason. I thought they were being friendly and liked being rubbed or petted when their tails went up but that is not always the case. Some get mean.

hi jugsjugs I read some place that if a cats tail is up he or seh is pretty happy but if its tail drops it is either angry or not feeling well,I don't know how true this is but it sounded interesting. I like your idea much better though and its a good one to tell the kids,he he

The tail of the cat goes up when you stroke it because they like it! It is a postive response to being stroked. Just like they will also purr and many will try to stroke you with their heads. They like what you are doing and they want to be affectionate right back at ya! They are very affectionate and loving animals.

Hey there, jugsjugs... That's a really sweet, cute thing you told your children about why their tail goes up when a person strokes it!! :) Maybe it's even true, but hopefully it will help your kids to "bond with" all of the cats in their lives from this point on, and also help them to understand that in whatever way, the cats tail reaction thing, definitely does have something to do with them acknowledging and showing appreciation for/of being stroked and loved upon by a human being! My cat "friends", at this point in time are outside little creatures. Wish I could domesticize them becuz of the winter. But I always provide food, fresh water , and especially whatever little love pats, with which they will allow me to accommodate them!! *lol*... They are usually most receptive, however. Yes their tail does seem to go up, even tho' I am pretty sure they know MY hand won't slip off! But then I also pet/stroke their tail and even give it an affectionate little squeeze/touch at the tip of it. Then they usually respond by gently nudging upon or briefly rubbing against the lower part of my leg. Take care, firefox333

I think the reason is, they want what you are doing. They appreciate when you stroke them. It is like a friendly touch for them. The tail goes up just to make you a sign that they really like what you are doing, it makes them happy and they wish you will not stop. It is like caressing them. Like some of men do with their rooster.

elevator butt! usually the whole body goes up with the tail,and it just wants to lean into that petting.

I think that it is for excitement and pleasure. I believe that the cat enjoys the feeling, and that they are relaxed in a comfortable state. It males a cat feel great. You can also look in their face, they have this tired and relaxed look about them. It looks so adorable!

I read once that the instinct to raise the hind end when one's hand or another object approaches a cat's tail is a hold over from when the cat was a kitten and the mother cat used her tongue to clean the kitten, including the private parts. I like your explanation better.

Hey jugs! My cats tails are always up when they are being petted and they are purring like crazy! And that is because they just love it when their Mom is petting them and paying attention to them! There is a definite difference when a cat's tail is up when they are scared! Their body is rigid! But, it is definitely easy to tell the difference!

You are sexually stimulating the cat, because its hips, just like a dogs are sensitive in that area. His tail lifting is just letting you know he appreciates your attention.

our cats do that also.when I stroke their back,their tails stand up.I think it is their expression that they really appreciate the strokes.one of our cats would even put her head on my hand.it is her way of saying that she wants to be stroked.when I stop stroking,she will nudge my hand more.

Most of the time my cat's tail stays where it is. It depends on the position the cat is in. Precious's tail only stands up when he does. It is my understanding they do this for balance and to show their state of content. Streight up happy, down aggiated, twitching pissed-off.Though cats are unique. Chinia's tail is broken to it only goes about half way and curls.

Hi there my dear friend. I haven't really thought about it that way, but i do believe it makes sense if you come to think about it. I wander where and when have the cats developed this behavior, perhaps back in Egypt when they were worshiped ? Makes you wonder, doesn't it ?

Hi jugs, That is exactley what I hink too, lol! Tamara

Thats a good thing to tell your kids! Very sweet and cute by the way. I believe the cats tail goes up because of a nerve reaction, is like when you scratch a dog on a certain part its leg will start drimming off. It could also be a pleasure reaction? Maybe the cat cant reach that far and thats why it stick its tail up in the air.

I am not a cat persons now but when I was younger ,I noticed this phenomenon and I think its just how they show affection ,its voluntary for them and it would be like a smile.I must admit though that cats are fairly affectionate creatures ,its just that I dont like the way the bretahe ,it creates the impression that they are having touble breathing

only one of my four cats does that,and his tail is permanately upright,not like the others which are sometimes a bit drooped

Hi Jugs, For me the meaning of it is an affirmation. The cat affirms that she likes what you're doing. She's enjoying the fact that you are giving her a stroke of care and attention. She's enjoying it to the point of stretching her tail, wagging it slowly and even touching your face. In this way she's simply expressing her gratitude for taking care of her.