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6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

It's time once again to peek into the pamphlet Happy Cat Happy You. These quick tips for building a bond with your feline friend are suggested by the authors at the Catnip Newsletter and compiled for Tufts Institute. This is a series that I'm running which is not sponsored by anyone. I'm just offering my stunning opinions.

Tip #4: A Cat's Tail—Mood Barometer. OK. Fair enough. I'm going to compare their educated opinions with my own—as a cat. A feral cat who takes no prisoners. What they say is in blue type.

When the tail is help loosely upright while the cat is walking, it signals confidence. I am confident that I am going to bite either TW or Pop. I'm an extremely confident cat.

6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

A tail that flicks toward you means "Hello my friend." No, it means, try to pet me so I can bite you. Come a little bit closer now baby. Heh heh.

Whipping the tail from side to side or thumping it on the floor signifies agitation. It means the peeps are really in trouble. I'm just deciding which of them to go after. I've been known to wag my tail like a dog.

6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

A lightly twitching tail conveys relaxed alertness. Are you relaxed, TW? Good cos soon you're gonna be screaming and chasing me through the house with your hand bleeding. TW says I'm the reason she has high blood pressure even though having a cat is supposed to lower it.

A puffed-up tail indicates total fright. No, it indicates total anger and someone is gonna get bit. You don't wanna mess with me when I get mad. TW calls it a "Spitty Tail" cos his is so nice and floofy. Sometimes when TW and I play and she "chases" me around the condo, I'll jump up on Pop's bed and my tail will be all puffy. She always tells me we're only playing but I play for keeps.

6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

They left one out. When everyone is ignoring me or they refuse to give me table scraps, I'll walk away with my tail down practically between my legs. It never fails to make TW feel bad for me. If she comes after me to comfort me, guess what I do? Yep, I bite her.

I'll bet many of you identify with my comments. Let's see a show of paws and don't forget to wag those tails.

Hope you've all enjoyed looking at my tail today. Oh and HAPPY TOCK-TOBER, Angel Derby! I know I'm early but I don't post on Thursday.

6 Ways to Tell A Cat's Mood—Or Not

Would you like to comment?

  1. Mostly I have a happy tail - up in the air and curved over. I don't think my tail's ever gotten poofy... mostly because it already is poofy!

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  2. CK, you should write an informational pamphlet of your own. Or, better yet, a whole book of cat wisdom! It would be a best-seller, guaranteed.

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  3. MOL so all tails point to bites??? That makes sense to us!

    The Florida Furkids

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  4. Shortly said, whatever your tail does, it means a bite sooner or later MOL ! Purrs

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  5. You have a beautiful tail CK. My tail says a lot too - pretty much what your tail says.

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  6. It was fun learning your tail language :-) Love the tail shadow in the last picture!

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  7. You are a tail expert for sure CK. There are a lot of tail conversations going on around the yurt.

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  8. MOL...you tell em' CK. You're talkin' bout our secret, secret code and the peeps should listen.

    Shoks

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  9. The tail always knows, always! Great demo CK!

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  10. Your tail gives a lot of information...keep away! My tail is much friendlier. When I am very happy I poof just the base of it.

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  11. Yeah, C.K., we don't totally agree with those either. Misty may puts up her tail so it is about the size of her body when she is chasing and terrorizing Astrid. Misty May s in no way frightened. That twitching/twacking tail usually means more than agitation. More like run for your life! MOL. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  12. Dat's very innerestin' CK. Now did you say this all comes from supposed Cat pros? Cuz we gotta tell ya' we don't think they know very much. Just what kinda cats are they studyin', stuffed ones? Big hugs to all.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  13. CK...like once eye was sew eye rate at de food servizz gurl eye cut de hem oh de drapez kleen off....N due ya think her getted de message...noe...her fuzzed bout de dam drapez ~~~~~~

    {oh kay sew like thiz iz all in me mindz eye but it soundz good tho huh !! }

    ♥♥♥♥

    tuna of moon ~~~~

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  14. You have a beautiful tail, thank you for letting us know what it is saying.

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  15. Everything comes back to biting for you, doesn't it? Mudpie's tail is always happy and upright :)

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  16. If we take your tips to heart, CK, our tails just show one thing...when and how we're gonna bite a human!

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  17. Those are very nice tail shots, CK. Olive has the most expressive tail in this house. Although, it usually doesn't end with her biting us.

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  18. "Spitty Tail"?? Really? She does?? Gosh, I'm starting to like her more and more. Are you sure you have to bite her so much?

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  19. Bear Cat says you are pretty accurate, CK. I had to laugh out loud several times ... biting just had to be slipped in there every time didn't it? Bear doesn't bite anyone but me - so I guess I should feel lucky :p

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  20. Thats very interesting. I guess the tail knows it all! Hehe Thank you for sharing! :)
    Miley

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