Do all cats raise (or flick) their tails in acknowledgement when you talk to them?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (228277)
Walnut Creek, California
October 17, 2024 11:04am CST
Kitty just explored my bed (I am at my desk), poked around, and then settled in at my feet. I meowed at her and she flicked her tail about an inch, as she always does.
When she is in deep sleep, she does not flick her tail. But when she is in light (REM) sleep, or in "guard her slave" mode, she flicks her tail in acknowledgement when I talk to her.
Is this true of all cats? Do they all communicate with their tails? As you know, I am not a cat person.
14 people like this
12 responses
@akalinus (44321)
• United States
17 Oct
I did not know the tail raising meant anything special. It is good when they are happy to see you. One this morning tried to scratch me when I petted him. He was lying on the top of the couch back and I guess he did not want to be disturbed. Other time, he purrs and snuggles into your lap.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (176625)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Oct
Cats do this when they are relaxed. But, if they are moving the tail back and forth they may be anxious. And, it really does depend on what is going on because sometimes they flick and move their tails up to show some aggression. It really depends on whats going on.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (176625)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Oct
@akalinus .......Yes, they are unique creatures.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (86616)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Oct
Yup, it is cold here and brisk in Florida, Freddie slept glued to my side, and every time I turned or he turned I had a tail flicked in my face, I told him to put the tail away flick flick and so it went all night long, I think there's a song in there somewhere,
2 people like this
@akalinus (44321)
• United States
17 Oct
I know a couple of cats that meow at me when I talk to them. I never noticed what their tails do but get a kick out of them answering me when I speak.
It is like we are having a conversation. You know, cat stuff like clean the litter box or my supper is 10 minutes late. Sometimes it is purring and rubbing against my legs back and forth.
3 people like this
@somewitch (1768)
•
17 Oct
No, I didn't know you were not a cat person. But you are a Kitty's person, maybe that's different.
First of all, it means she's alive. 
Second, it can mean many things but I guess she's just listening, the way we humans sometimes walk back and forth when we're on a phone call. Yes, that's prolly the human equivalent! 
After all, the internet says cats flick their tails when they're stressed, excited or "engaged".
Second, it can mean many things but I guess she's just listening, the way we humans sometimes walk back and forth when we're on a phone call. Yes, that's prolly the human equivalent!
After all, the internet says cats flick their tails when they're stressed, excited or "engaged".2 people like this
@allknowing (148840)
• India
18 Oct
Peppie circles round my feet which is not a happy situation as it can make me trip (lol)
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (45284)
• Wapello, Iowa
18 Oct
I'm not a cat person, either and at the moment, I only have two of them (I want at least one more but it hasn't happened yet), so I'm not qualified to answer your questions.
@LindaOHio (193517)
• United States
18 Oct
I am a dog person and only know about dogs wagging their tails. I love it. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (228277)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Oct
@LindaOHio Happy dog, happy life.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (193517)
• United States
23 Oct
@TheHorse I don't care much for the licking...I love the wagging! Makes my day.
1 person likes this
@porwest (102411)
• United States
18 Oct
Both of our cats do. And curl them up into question marks a lot too, which I have heard means they love you. I don't know if it's true or not. But when I pet them their tales become quite animated. When I talk to them, they seem to talk back with meows too. lol
1 person likes this
