My cats tail gets very big when it sees another cat. Y is this? Does this happen to both male and female cat?

Hi there,

A cat displaying a "bushy" tail is his or her way making itself to appear "bigger" to the other cat. It is generally a sign of fear, but can also mean, "stay away this is my territory". I bet your cat also arches his back like a "halloween" cat when he does this when seeing a strange cat.

A tail moving side to side quickly, almost "wagging" means " I am angry and watch out". Accompanied by ears flat back on the head, this is time for you to not approach a cat.

Both males and females communicate a lot of information to both other cats, and to us, if we learn to "listen" to their body language.

Here is a link to learn more about what "tail" language can mean.

http://library.thinkquest.org/6250/cats.html

On the other hand, if your kitty starts "bushing" his or her tail from the tip, rather than from the base, it can mean extreme happiness and good feelings. Our two orientals, when very, very happy, bush their tails to communicate their feelings. We call it "happy tail" and love it when we see it.

Hope this helps,

Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Member: Cat Writer's Association

Its usually an a good sign, indicating "friendliness" towards the other cat (kinda like how a dog's tail wags when its happy!) but it can have other meanings too.

If it is slightly weary of the the other cat, the upright tail can be slightly hooked over at the tip while a mother's upright tail is a signal for her kittens to follow and their upright tails may help littermates or their mother to spot their whereabouts.

It means thge cat is excited or agitated. Does her tail stick straight up or out? that would mean the cat is upset, fearful of the other cat or having a territorial display meant to tell the other cat that the house is your cat's territory. If it looks like an upside down U, then it means the cat is excited and wants to play.

Elvis, this happens to both male and female cats. It's a part of the animal's defense mechanism, in which all or part of the fur stands on end, making it look bigger to a challenger or predator.

Our cat Pebble used to get her tail as fat as a baseball bat, while the fur on her back didn't stand up nearly so big. Of course, the 'threat' was our new baby...

Yes it happens to both male and female cats. My cat who is a female cat does this whenever she sees another cat.

Cats will normally do this when they feel threatened to make themselves appear larger to their competition or to a predator. And sometimes they don't require a reason at all. My one cat will often sit in the middle of the floor and observe it's own tail as he practises his fluffing technique and his tail twitching control.

yes they all do it! they do it in defence and also to make themselves appear bigger to the other cat!