Just Curious! Tail Body Language

mmin

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Whenever i bring my cat out for a walk on his leash and harness, every now and then i notice that his tail is down / occassionally but rarely between his legs. i've read and assumed that that means that he's uncertain and anxious. but whenever i notice that, when i reach over to give him pets or strokes, he raises his tail right back high up for a while. :hyper:

anyone have any idea if its because that eases his anxiousness or? just curious.
he does like to go for walks though, running right to me whenever i hold up the harness :anticipation:
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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Sometimes I think of upright tails as I would a human smile. Humans cannot smile ALL the time, and we get distracted too, so that a smile fades while we explore or think about something else. Then a reminder of how happy we are happens (like you petting your cat again), and boom! there is the tail up and a smile!
:petcat:
 

KarenKat

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This happens with Gohan. We used to joke that we had to “fix his tail” - he would get anxious or nervous and my BF would come and pet him and it would instantly raise up.

I would think that means you are comforting him on his walks and providing confidence and reassurance.
 

mservant

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'Up' tails make me think of human smiles too, and like human smiles when we see one it is infectious and we tend to smile too.
As for the more extended rather than up tail when out walking, perhaps it is that instinctive lowering for reduced visibility while exploring? More stealth, concentration and alertness than straight forward play but every bit as happy, esp when the occasional scritch and stroke happens. :petcat:
 
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