The very short two second video shows the feline behavior that I am referring to in the title. It is long enough to get the message across 🙄.
I first saw this form of cat tail action/body language many years ago in Notting Hill Gate, London when an abandoned cat saw me after I had shown friendliness towards her earlier. She sensed that I was going to be her next caregiver and I was!
This section was written more or less out of my head and covers the most likely meaning. The second section comes from some research which as it happens supports what I have said plus adds a bit to the page.
She was under a car and when she saw me her tail quivered excitedly. The last word of that sentence explains what is going in when a cat demonstrates this behavior: they are excited to see you.
And the tail is erect when it quivers as this is the friendly tail up greeting position.
Gentle tail quivering is often seen after a cat has been greeted by their owner. Interestingly it is the same action that is observed when a cat is urine spraying to mark territory. But in the case of tail quivering due to the excitement of greeting someone that they love, no urine is produced! 😉.
Dr Morris suggests that ‘some slight invisible scent’ might be expelled at the same time but he is unsure.
He describes the action as meaning a ‘personal identification’ as if the cat is saying ‘Yes, this is me!’ This interpretation chimes with my experience described above and in general.
The domestic cat tail quiver is essentially a form of body language which signals excitement and eagerness to interact.
Note: the video has to be short as I am currently limited to the size of the uploaded file.
RELATED: How many tail-signals does a domestic cat make?
What does domestic cat tail quivering mean?
This section has been prepared based on internet research. A quivering cat tail is one of the ways in which your feline friend communicates with you. Cats are skilled at expressing themselves through body language, and their tails play a significant role in this. Here are some common reasons why a cat’s tail might shake or vibrate:
- Anxiety: Sometimes, a vibrating tail indicates anxiety. If there’s no obvious cause, it could be triggered by a sudden noise or a change in the environment that your cat perceives. Cats have incredibly sensitive senses, so they might react to things that humans can’t detect.
- Happiness and Excitement: Interestingly, a softly quivering tail can also signify happiness and excitement. When your cat is feeling content, it may purr, chirrup, and gently shake its tail. You might even receive a friendly headbutt as a sign of affection.
- Urine Marking: An upright, rapidly shaking, or vibrating tail could indicate that your cat is about to engage in urine marking. This behavior is more common in unneutered male cats, but females can also exhibit it.
- Context Matters: To understand your cat’s tail language, consider the context. Observe what else is happening at the time and pay attention to other behaviors. Cats are masters of non-verbal communication, and their tails are a key part of their expressive repertoire.
Remember that each cat is unique, so it’s essential to consider individual personality and circumstances when interpreting tail movements. Whether it’s anxiety, happiness, or a territorial signal, your cat’s tail provides valuable insights into its emotional state! 🐾
RELATED: Classic example of human body language signal and loving feline response
