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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Dr. Amanda Charles PhotoDr. Amanda Charles Photo

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the most recent veterinarian evaluation.


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Cat possession might be a lot easier if our pets might inform us their concepts. Nonetheless, until anyone develops a cat-to-human translator, we have to utilize context clues and our pet’s physique language to decipher their moods.

A cat’s tail is doubtless one of the expressive parts of their physique. So, in case you uncover your cat’s tail twitching, you’re possibly questioning what they’re contemplating. Sadly, a twitching cat tail can indicate many different points, so that you just’ll should put in your contemplating cap to search out out what’s occurring.

From the enjoyable of practising their trying experience to the frustration of aggravating circumstances, there are quite a few potential causes in your cat’s tail twitching. Be taught on to be taught further so you’ll begin to greater 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 Wanting

Cats will usually twitch their tails because of they’re trying or collaborating in. This happens as soon as they’re centered 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 youngsters are blissful and excited, they usually leap up and down as an answer to launch their pent-up vitality and particular their enthusiasm. Our cats don’t have the similar ability to point their happiness, so a quivering tail can also mark anticipation and pleasure.


3. They’re Irritated

When your cat twitches the tip of their tail strongly , it might be that they’re mildly irritated or pissed off. This is likely to 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 usually moreover associated to aggression. The additional your pet’s tail strikes forwards and backwards, the a lot much less blissful they is likely to be. Speedy tail actions can indicate they’re issuing a threat to you or one different pet throughout the dwelling. You may also see completely different aggressive behaviors, akin to growling or hissing. Their tails might also thwack audibly on the bottom or shut by partitions.


5. They’re Spraying

You understand your cat is spraying as soon as they stand up, keep their tail straight up throughout the air, and put their rear end in the direction of a aim (e.g., partitions, bedding, curtains, and lots of others.). Their tail is likely to be quivering, and they also’ll spray urine onto an object.

Spraying is greater than more likely to occur in cats which have reached sexual maturity, and it’d occur in every feminine and male cats. It happens most incessantly in intact women and men in heat, though these which have been spayed or neutered can also spray.

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

6. They Have Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS)—usually generally known as “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 stays to be unknown, though it is most incessantly attributed to neurological, psychological, or dermatological causes. Sooner than it could be acknowledged, completely different conditions that set off associated indicators must be dominated out.

Cats with this example may quiver their tail, nonetheless they’ll usually exhibit completely 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, aspect, 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’d actually really feel unimaginable to search out out what your cat is feeling. Nonetheless, it’s actually comparatively easy in case you stop and bear in mind your conduct and your kitty’s current environment.

Take into accounts what your kitty is at current doing, their physique language, and what’s occurring spherical them to search out out the exact function 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 enjoyment, notably if their ears are pulled once more and they also’re staring your child down. It’s extra probably on this state of affairs that your cat is feeling aggravated and capable of strike.

Likewise, in case you’re using your cat’s favorite toy to play with them, it’s unlikely they’re twitching their tail because of they’re spraying or feeling aggressive.

Consulting with a vet is an outstanding methodology to help set up environmental or behavioral factors if you need some additional assist.

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What Else Your Cat’s Tail Can Inform You

Cats exhibit completely different tail postures other than twitching because of it’s one among many few strategies they will convey their mood and speak with completely different cats and other people.

Catster_Cat Tail Language_Positive Signs_Infographic_v1-4_Mar 6 2024
You is likely to be free to utilize this image nonetheless we do require you to hyperlink once more to Catster.com for credit score rating
Question mark tail Nice, playful
Puffy tail Afraid, defensive, or aggressive
Low tail Unease or concern
Tucked beneath: Fearful or anxious
Straight up: Assured, blissful, nice
Wagging: Offended, pissed off
Gradual swish: Centered, doubtlessly trying
Quick thrashing: Irritated, uncertainty
Catster_Cat Tail Language_Negative Signs_Infographic_v1-4 FINAL_Mar 6 2024
You is likely to be free to utilize this image nonetheless we do require you to hyperlink once more to Catster.com for credit score rating

How Else Do Cats Convey Mood?

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

  • 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 so much eye contact your cat is holding can inform you the way relaxed or confrontational they’re feeling. These sluggish blinking with a relaxed stare may actually really feel cozy and composed, whereas these staring with out blinking is also tough 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 cozy.

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Final Concepts

As you’ll see, a cat’s tail twitches can indicate quite a few points. It’ll be exhausting to search out out the exact function behind your pet’s tail actions with out moreover taking into account their physique language and context clues from their environment. Nonetheless, while you bear in mind what else is going on in your cat’s world and the way one can be taught their physique language, you’ll be an expert in your pet’s moods and feelings.


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



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