Why Does My Cat’s Tail Twitch? 6 Vet-Reviewed Causes

Why Does My Cat’s Tail Twitch? 6 Vet-Reviewed Causes

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The info is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian evaluation.

Cat possession may very well be hundreds less complicated if our pets may inform us their concepts. However, until any individual develops a cat-to-human translator, now we have now to utilize context clues and our pet’s physique language to decipher their moods.

A cat’s tail is among the many most expressive parts of their physique. So, in case your cat’s tail is twitching, you’re probably questioning what they’re pondering. Sadly, a quivering tail can indicate many different points, so that you simply’ll should put in your pondering cap to search out out what’s occurring.

From the thrill of working in direction of their trying experience to the frustration of aggravating situations, there are many potential causes in your cat’s tail twitching. Be taught on to be taught further so chances are you’ll begin to raised understand your cat’s mood and the driving forces behind this conduct.

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The 6 Causes Why Cats Twitch Their Tails

1. They’re Trying

Cats will usually twitch their tails on account of they’re trying or having fun with. This happens after they’re focused intensely on their prey, whether or not or not it’s a real-life mouse or a fluffy one you merely bought from Amazon.

Burmese cat face before pounce hunting to toy mouse at home
Image Credit score rating: Viacheslav Lopatin, Shutterstock

2. They’re Excited

When kids are happy and excited, they often bounce up and down as an answer to launch their pent-up energy and categorical their enthusiasm. Our cats don’t have the an identical potential to point their happiness, so a quivering tail might mark anticipation and pleasure.


3. They’re Irritated

When your cat twitches the tip of their tail strongly back and forth, it may be that they’re mildly irritated or pissed off. This might presumably be a warning sign that your pet isn’t eager on one factor you’ve been doing, nonetheless they’re not pretty on the extent however the place they’re going to take the next step and act on their annoyance.

the cat walking or runs with its tail raised in the room
Image Credit score rating: Alexander Sobol, Shutterstock

4. They’re Feeling Aggressive

Tail twitching is often moreover associated to aggression. The additional your pet’s tail strikes forwards and backwards, the a lot much less happy they may very well be. Speedy tail actions can indicate they’re issuing a danger to you or one different pet throughout the dwelling. You may also see totally different aggressive behaviors, similar to growling or hissing. Their tails may also thwack audibly on the bottom or shut by partitions.


5. They’re Spraying

You acknowledge your cat is spraying after they come up, keep their tail straight up throughout the air, and put their rear end in direction of a purpose (e.g., partitions, bedding, curtains, and so forth.). Their tail will in all probability be quivering, they often’ll spray urine onto an object.

Spraying is most actually to occur in cats which have reached sexual maturity, and it’ll presumably occur in every feminine and male cats. It happens most continuously in intact women and men in heat, though these which have been spayed or neutered might spray.

male-norwegian-forest-cat-spraying
Image Credit score rating: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock

6. They Have Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS)—typically often called “twitchy cat syndrome”—is a unusual state of affairs that causes elevated sensitivity to the contact and uncontrollable muscle contractions. FHS is poorly understood, and its root set off continues to be unknown, though it is most continuously attributed to neurological, psychological, or dermatological causes. Sooner than it could be recognized, totally different conditions that set off associated indicators needs to be dominated out.

Cats with this example may quiver their tail, nonetheless they’ll often exhibit totally different indicators, along with:

  • Rippling or twitching of pores and pores and skin on the once more
  • Biting or licking themselves (considerably throughout the once more, facet, and rear areas)
  • Ache or discomfort when petted
  • Dilated pupils
  • Transient bursts of working
  • Tail chasing

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How Can I Know Why My Cat’s Tail Is Twitching?

With so many causes in your cat’s tail twitching, it is going to presumably actually really feel not potential to search out out what your cat is feeling. However, it’s actually comparatively simple for individuals who stop and ponder your conduct and your kitty’s current environment.

Think about what your kitty is presently doing, their physique language, and what’s occurring spherical them to search out out the exact motive in your pet’s tail twitching.

As an example, a cat that your toddler is tormenting is unlikely to be twitching their tail out of delight, significantly if their ears are pulled once more they often’re staring your child down. It’s extra probably on this example that your cat is feeling irritated and in a position to strike.

Likewise, for individuals who’re using your cat’s favorite toy to play with them, it’s unlikely they’re twitching their tail on account of they’re spraying or feeling aggressive.

Consulting with a vet is an excellent method to help set up environmental or behavioral factors if you would like some additional assist.

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What Else Your Cat’s Tail Can Inform You

Cats exhibit totally different tail postures apart from twitching on account of it’s one in every of many few strategies they are going to convey their mood and discuss with totally different cats and other people.

Question mark tail Nice, playful
Puffy tail Afraid, defensive, or aggressive
Low tail Unease or concern
Tucked beneath: Fearful or anxious
Straight up: Assured, happy, nice
Wagging: Offended, pissed off
Sluggish swish: Centered, doubtlessly trying
Quick thrashing: Irritated, uncertainty
Catster_Cat Tail Language_Positive Signs_Infographic_v1-4_Mar 6 2024
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Catster_Cat Tail Language_Negative Signs_Infographic_v1-4 FINAL_Mar 6 2024
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How Else Do Cats Convey Mood?

Cats don’t solely use their tails to convey their mood. Completely different delicate (and by no means so delicate) physique language cues embody:

  • Facial expressions. The strategies your cat strikes their eyes, ears, and mouth can level out their mood. Cats feeling relaxed might have common eye and ear positioning, whereas these feeling indignant might have erect ears and narrowed eyes. Cats with flattened ears and dilated pupils is also fearful.
  • Eye contact. How lots eye contact your cat is holding can let you know the way relaxed or confrontational they’re feeling. These sluggish blinking with a relaxed stare may actually really feel comfortable and composed, whereas these staring with out blinking is also troublesome you.
  • Posture. Cats exhibiting the fundamental black cat Halloween pose with an arched once more and bottle brush tail are feeling aggressive or defensive, whereas these stretched out with their bellies up are relaxed and comfortable.
Bengal kitten playing
Image Credit score rating: Ian McGlasham, Shutterstock

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Final Concepts

As you may even see, a cat’s tail twitches can indicate a number of points. It’ll be laborious to search out out the exact motive behind your pet’s tail actions with out moreover bearing in mind their physique language and context clues from their environment. However, once you ponder what else is occurring in your cat’s world and simple strategies to study their physique language, you’ll be an skilled in your pet’s moods and feelings.


Featured Image Credit score rating: olivier.laurent.photographs, Shutterstock

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