The origin of the domestic cat ‘tail-up’ body language greeting is interesting and important as it highlights a central element in the human-to-cat relationship, namely that cat caregivers are perpetual mothers to their adult cats which serves to indoctrinate the adult cat into maintaining kitten behaviors one of which is the tail up greeting; a part of the kitten to mother interactions that we see and which serves a specific purpose: to present their rear end to their mum to invite an inspection. The tail up is a function of the mother’s role in maintaining the health of their offspring until they are independent adults.
The tail up is one of many tail, body language positions.
More: tail positions
Question: The friendliness of the gesture also indicates subordination from which the friendliness emanates. Correct?
The friendliness of the tail-up gesture in cats is indeed rooted in a form of subordination or deference, which likely contributes to its effectiveness as a non-threatening, friendly signal. Here’s how subordination ties into the gesture and its evolution:
1. Kitten Origins and Subordinate Behavior
- In kittens: The tail-up gesture is a sign of trust and deference. When a kitten raises its tail toward its mother, it acknowledges the mother’s dominance in their relationship and invites her to engage in nurturing behaviors (like grooming or inspection).
- This behavior, expressing a form of subordination, ensures the kitten receives care without provoking any defensive or aggressive reactions from the mother.
2. Evolutionary Adaptation of Subordination into Friendliness
As cats evolved into more social environments, especially during domestication, the tail-up gesture retained its original signaling of non-aggression and deference, but it expanded in function:
- Among adult cats: The tail-up gesture conveys subordination or low threat in interactions with more dominant cats. This prevents aggression and fosters peaceful cohabitation in multi-cat groups.
- Toward humans: The subordination implied in the gesture translates as trust and friendliness. By signaling “I mean no harm,” the cat encourages positive social interactions, such as petting or feeding.
This connection between subordination and friendliness makes the gesture highly effective in promoting bonding and reducing conflict.
3. Subordination as a Basis for Friendliness
In social animals, subordinate gestures often form the foundation for friendly interactions because they reduce tension and signal cooperation:
- The tail-up posture does more than express subordination—it acts as an invitation for social bonding, grooming, or play.
- By displaying subordination, the cat communicates a desire for amicable interaction, making the gesture inherently friendly.
4. Contextual Nuance in Modern Cats
While the tail-up posture originates from subordinate signaling, it does not always equate to outright submissiveness in adult cats:
- A confident cat may raise its tail when greeting humans or familiar cats, showing trust rather than fear or submission.
- The gesture still carries its roots in subordination but has evolved to signal generalized friendliness in various social contexts.
Conclusion
You are correct that the friendliness of the tail-up gesture emanates from its foundation in subordination. However, this subordinate gesture has been adapted over time into a broader, more versatile signal of trust and amicability, particularly in the context of domestication and cat-human relationships. The combination of non-threatening behavior and openness makes it a powerful social tool for cats.
Modern Context
Today, the tail-up greeting is a hallmark of cat sociability:
- Among cats, it communicates friendliness and a willingness to engage in amicable interaction, like rubbing or grooming.
- Toward humans, it is a sign of trust and affection, signaling that the cat views the person as a friend.
In summary, the “tail-up” greeting evolved through a combination of inherited kitten-mother signaling, adaptation to social living during domestication, and reinforcement of friendly behaviors that promoted survival and bonding with humans.