Why does my cat's tail get puffy?

Question

I recently adopted a two-year-old female DSH from a local shelter.  She seems to be adjusting well, and is playful and affectionate.  Sometimes, however, when she's on a tear and playing, her tail will get very puffy.  She doesn't show any other signs of aggression; her fur isn't raised, and her ears aren't back.  It's just her tail.  Is this normal when cats are overstimulated or excited?

I ask because, well, all cats are different, and I've never seen this in a cat before.  It's also been a long time since I've had a playful cat, as older cats are more affectionate and less playful (I adopted my cat a couple weeks after saying goodbye to my 18-year-old cat).

Thanks for any guidance.

Zcat · Accepted Answer

My cats usually do this during play.  It's a sign of excitement in this case.  I call it bottle brushing, cause the tail looks like a bottle brush.  She's just very excited.

Anonymous · Answer

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RE:
Why does my cat&#39;s tail get puffy?
I recently adopted a two-year-old female DSH from a local shelter.  She seems to be adjusting well, and is playful and affectionate.  Sometimes, however, when she&#39;s on a tear and playing, her tail will get very puffy.  She doesn&#39;t show any other signs of aggression; her fur isn&#39;t...

Anonymous · Answer

My cat does the same thing, she just gets excited and her tail puffs up cause when she plays, her body moves quickly, and the excitment and movement moves through her body, causing her tail to puff up...

l b · Answer

it makes them look intimidating to other cats.

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Why does my cat's tail get puffy?

4 Answers