# Cats' tails? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 18, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123 "2018-07-18T04:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/1 "2018-07-18T04:20:49Z")
Is the waving of Cupcake the Destroyer’s tail voluntary or involuntary? I often wonder about this when she’s on my shoulder or chest and waving that thing in my face. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/2 "2018-07-18T04:23:52Z")
My cats are tail talkers. Have you seen the curled sideways question mark. It means they are asking a question. The tail speaks. ETA I have determined the tail waving is saying “Hello, friend” ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/3 "2018-07-18T04:58:15Z")
I’m convinced it’s intentional. Watching my two cats sleep together. One cat’s tail will be waving in the other cat’s face. Other cat will swat the tail a few times, then the offender will move it to the side out of annoyed cat’s face. After about 30 seconds or so, cat will start waving his tail in front of cat’s face again. This process repeats itself a few times until they eventually start to rumble. So, I’m guessing this is cat’s way of initiating play. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/4 "2018-07-18T05:12:10Z")
Yep, tail flicking can be an irritated mood or a let’s play. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/5 "2018-07-18T05:27:48Z")
Here’s what I want to know, when my cat is stalking something (a bird, say) and his tail wiggles gives him away, how is that an evolutionary advantage? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/6 "2018-07-18T06:37:47Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Here’s what I want to know, when my cat is stalking something (a bird, say) and his tail wiggles gives him away, how is that an evolutionary advantage? Since you cat probably has a tummy full of the mushy food, I don’t think what you’re seeing is “hunting” mode. Your cat either wants to play with bird, or is trying to tell the bird to get off his lawn. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/7 "2018-07-18T08:14:54Z")
Cats wiggle their tails for balance. Think of a cat on a fence, waving its tail back and forth to keep from falling off. By inference, this means that cats wave their tails whenever they feel uncertain about their footing, whether physically or psychologically. It’s a nervous tic. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/8 "2018-07-18T12:32:26Z")
I love the straight up tail and prancing around , like they are on a fashion run way. They’re saying " I am so pretty, give me a treat, ain’t I beautiful?" ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/9 "2018-07-18T13:12:14Z")
_…Else how can he hold up his tail perpendicular, or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?_ ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/10 "2018-07-18T13:32:57Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I love the straight up tail and prancing around , like they are on a fashion run way. They’re saying " I am so pretty, give me a treat, ain’t I beautiful?" Whenever my bushy tailed guy does that I sing the line from _Stray Cat Strut_ “I strut right by with my tail in air” ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/11 "2018-07-18T19:15:26Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Since you cat probably has a tummy full of the mushy food, I don’t think what you’re seeing is “hunting” mode. Your cat either wants to play with bird, or is trying to tell the bird to get off his lawn. Not correct. The hunting behavior is instinctual, not dependent on hunger. Well-fed, pampered pet cats are notorious for hunting & catching small prey but not eating it – just bringing it back to show their owners. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/12 "2018-07-18T19:28:45Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Cats wiggle their tails for balance. Think of a cat on a fence, waving its tail back and forth to keep from falling off. By inference, this means that cats wave their tails whenever they feel uncertain about their footing, whether physically or psychologically. It’s a nervous tic. What if it’s a Manx cat? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/13 "2018-07-18T19:57:58Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > What if it’s a Manx cat? Watch them whiskers. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/14 "2018-07-18T21:47:44Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Here’s what I want to know, when my cat is stalking something (a bird, say) and his tail wiggles gives him away, how is that an evolutionary advantage? It’s an evolutionary advantage for the bird, not the cat. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/15 "2018-07-18T22:00:55Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > It’s an evolutionary advantage for the bird, not the cat. 😉 IIRC , cats don’t actually hunt birds in nature. Their main prey is small rodents and fish. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/16 "2018-07-19T00:51:52Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > IIRC , cats don’t actually hunt birds in nature. Their main prey is small rodents and fish. Whatever my cat is stalking he wiggles his tail. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/17 "2018-07-19T00:56:34Z")
My BIL firmly believes that his cat’s tail is a separate intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/18 "2018-07-19T03:28:42Z")
Cupcake used to play chicken with me. Now she counts coup. Either way, she’ll get in an “get ready to pounce on my prey” pose first. The tail is slowly moving. I think. The surprise would be better if she hid behind or under something before the vicious bloodthirsty attack. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/19 "2018-07-20T18:58:21Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > IIRC , cats don’t actually hunt birds in nature. Their main prey is small rodents and fish. I’d like a cite for that. Judging by the victims actually seen\* our cat’s prey seems to be 80% avian, 20% rodents. No fish at all but living in Arizona, they’re hard to come by. \*Generally a trophy brought into the house. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123/20 "2018-07-20T19:47:06Z")
Sylvester and Tweety bird? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-tails/818123.md?page=2)