When you stroke your cat,

@jugsjugs (12967)
December 5, 2009 1:05pm CST
do you notice its tail always go up,i told my children the reason for the tail going up is to stop your hand from slipping off.lol.What do you think the reason is for the tail going up when you stroke the cat.
5 people like this
26 responses
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
8 Dec 09
Thats a cute thing to tell your kids. Lol!!! I have never noticd that before. I cant really tell with my cats because they dont have tails.
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@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
9 Dec 09
Ya, my 3 stooges are manx. Miss Kitty Kat, her children Missy Sissy Kat and Bubba Kat. Im so used to looking at them without tails that when i see a cat with a tail it now looks strange to me.
@jugsjugs (12967)
23 Dec 09
lol,i know what you mean as my children think a manx cat is a cat that someone has had taken the cats tail off and i have tried to explain to them that is the way they are born,but still they do not under stand.
@jugsjugs (12967)
8 Dec 09
My friend has a manx cat so that has no tail either,she has always had a manx cat so when she comes to mine she forgets about the cats tail and nearly sits on the tail all the time.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
6 Dec 09
When I was younger I thought that cats would fart when you slid your hand down their back, kind of like you were sliding the gas down the tubes. I decided that the tail came up when you reached the base of it because the cat didn't want to blow the hair off their tail with the escaping gas. Now I figure it is a result of the stimulation of the nerves in the spine and it is a reaction to that stimulation....although I like the fart idea much better!
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@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
6 Dec 09
I have to tell about Murphy, she is a lynx point Siamese and very spoiled...when I get up she HAS to have her two tablespoons of cream that has been warmed in the microwave for exactly 9 seconds. (Not too spoiled is she? ) Anyhow, my BF and I were sitting watching television one night, and I was talking on the phone to a friend when suddenly the most horrible smell assaulted our noses. We started gagging and choking and my BF grabbed a magazine and was fanning the air trying to disperse the smell...Murphy had been sleeping on the back of the couch and had farted. We both swear she fermented that one for 10 years and saved it specially for us! My friend on the phone was LHAO because she heard the whole episode! What added insult to injury was that Murphy slept through the whole thing!!!
@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
lol oh yes the fart idea is funny,but if you have have smelt a cat fart you would know if that was the case they would never get their backs stroked,lol.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I have never really paid much attention to it. We have not owned a cat in a very long time though. Cats just do not seem to likeme for some reason. I thought they were being friendly and liked being rubbed or petted when their tails went up but that is not always the case. Some get mean.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
8 Dec 09
Thankfully mine have never got mean only when i am playing or teasing them.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Dec 09
hi jugsjugs I read some place that if a cats tail is up he or seh is pretty happy but if its tail drops it is either angry or not feeling well,I don't know how true this is but it sounded interesting. I like your idea much better though and its a good one to tell the kids,he he
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Dec 09
hi jugsjugs sorry typo should be he or she,not seh. my fingers slipped on that. he he
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@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
They seem to purr alot of the time when they are stroked as well as when the tail is up so i would think it is because they are happy.All 6 of the cats are the same as i have now tried it with all 6 of them.
@celticeagle (164670)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Dec 09
The tail of the cat goes up when you stroke it because they like it! It is a postive response to being stroked. Just like they will also purr and many will try to stroke you with their heads. They like what you are doing and they want to be affectionate right back at ya! They are very affectionate and loving animals.
@celticeagle (164670)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Dec 09
And they are so cute how can you not??
@jugsjugs (12967)
5 Dec 09
I do love cats as they are soo loving.
• United States
8 Dec 09
Hey there, jugsjugs... That's a really sweet, cute thing you told your children about why their tail goes up when a person strokes it!! :) Maybe it's even true, but hopefully it will help your kids to "bond with" all of the cats in their lives from this point on, and also help them to understand that in whatever way, the cats tail reaction thing, definitely does have something to do with them acknowledging and showing appreciation for/of being stroked and loved upon by a human being! My cat "friends", at this point in time are outside little creatures. Wish I could domesticize them becuz of the winter. But I always provide food, fresh water , and especially whatever little love pats, with which they will allow me to accommodate them!! *lol*... They are usually most receptive, however. Yes their tail does seem to go up, even tho' I am pretty sure they know MY hand won't slip off! But then I also pet/stroke their tail and even give it an affectionate little squeeze/touch at the tip of it. Then they usually respond by gently nudging upon or briefly rubbing against the lower part of my leg. Take care, firefox333
1 person likes this
@jugsjugs (12967)
8 Dec 09
Hi my children have always been brought up with animals and so they know how to treat them as well as look after them.I think that it give a child a feeling of responseability as well as knowing if you are nice to the pet the pet will love you in return.
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
I think the reason is, they want what you are doing. They appreciate when you stroke them. It is like a friendly touch for them. The tail goes up just to make you a sign that they really like what you are doing, it makes them happy and they wish you will not stop. It is like caressing them. Like some of men do with their rooster.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
8 Dec 09
My cat seems to be like that all the time.Cats are loving and are always there when you come in as well as they always greet you when you get up in the mornings,thanks for your response
• United States
7 Dec 09
elevator butt! usually the whole body goes up with the tail,and it just wants to lean into that petting.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
7 Dec 09
I think that you are right.
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@cream97 (29087)
• United States
6 Dec 09
I think that it is for excitement and pleasure. I believe that the cat enjoys the feeling, and that they are relaxed in a comfortable state. It males a cat feel great. You can also look in their face, they have this tired and relaxed look about them. It looks so adorable!
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@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
My cats face looks like it is on a high as its eyes close or its eyes go up into its head and yes they do seem to be very relaxed and chilled out.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
6 Dec 09
I read once that the instinct to raise the hind end when one's hand or another object approaches a cat's tail is a hold over from when the cat was a kitten and the mother cat used her tongue to clean the kitten, including the private parts. I like your explanation better.
1 person likes this
@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
Lol well there is no chance in me doing that either lol.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
6 Dec 09
Hey jugs! My cats tails are always up when they are being petted and they are purring like crazy! And that is because they just love it when their Mom is petting them and paying attention to them! There is a definite difference when a cat's tail is up when they are scared! Their body is rigid! But, it is definitely easy to tell the difference!
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@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
Oh yes you can tell the difference in a cat that is scared as to when one is relaxed and happy.
• United States
6 Dec 09
You are sexually stimulating the cat, because its hips, just like a dogs are sensitive in that area. His tail lifting is just letting you know he appreciates your attention.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
Yes i think you are right there.
• Philippines
6 Dec 09
our cats do that also.when I stroke their back,their tails stand up.I think it is their expression that they really appreciate the strokes.one of our cats would even put her head on my hand.it is her way of saying that she wants to be stroked.when I stop stroking,she will nudge my hand more.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
My cats do the same with their heads as well as when i am peeling the potatos their is one that climbs up my legs and nearly falls into the water to get my attention as well.
@kaylachan (66809)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Dec 09
Most of the time my cat's tail stays where it is. It depends on the position the cat is in. Precious's tail only stands up when he does. It is my understanding they do this for balance and to show their state of content. Streight up happy, down aggiated, twitching pissed-off.Though cats are unique. Chinia's tail is broken to it only goes about half way and curls.
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@jugsjugs (12967)
7 Dec 09
Oh bless,my friends cat has only half a tail and she knows the cat can raise its half tail well when it is purring the only problem she has is that it also sprays at her and the cat has been done as in a male cat and scents all up her leg.I did tell her it shows that it loves her,lol.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
5 Dec 09
Hi there my dear friend. I haven't really thought about it that way, but i do believe it makes sense if you come to think about it. I wander where and when have the cats developed this behavior, perhaps back in Egypt when they were worshiped ? Makes you wonder, doesn't it ?
@jugsjugs (12967)
5 Dec 09
It do make you think.
5 Dec 09
Hi jugs, That is exactley what I hink too, lol! Tamara
@jugsjugs (12967)
5 Dec 09
lol.
• Spain
5 Dec 09
Thats a good thing to tell your kids! Very sweet and cute by the way. I believe the cats tail goes up because of a nerve reaction, is like when you scratch a dog on a certain part its leg will start drimming off. It could also be a pleasure reaction? Maybe the cat cant reach that far and thats why it stick its tail up in the air.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
5 Dec 09
I am not a cat persons now but when I was younger ,I noticed this phenomenon and I think its just how they show affection ,its voluntary for them and it would be like a smile.I must admit though that cats are fairly affectionate creatures ,its just that I dont like the way the bretahe ,it creates the impression that they are having touble breathing
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@jugsjugs (12967)
5 Dec 09
I think it is because they are loving animals.
@doormouse (4599)
5 Dec 09
only one of my four cats does that,and his tail is permanately upright,not like the others which are sometimes a bit drooped
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@jugsjugs (12967)
5 Dec 09
My cats tend to keep their tails up as my hand go towards it,they may just be worried and thats how they show it,lol.
• Boston, Massachusetts
6 Dec 09
Hi Jugs, For me the meaning of it is an affirmation. The cat affirms that she likes what you're doing. She's enjoying the fact that you are giving her a stroke of care and attention. She's enjoying it to the point of stretching her tail, wagging it slowly and even touching your face. In this way she's simply expressing her gratitude for taking care of her.
@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
I have 6 cats and i have just tried it with all of them and they were all purring apart from one,so it must be a loving it thing or a loving it sign to us.I love cats they are so easy to look after as well as they make a fuss out of us as much as we do them.
@jugsjugs (12967)
6 Dec 09
I think you are right there as well as it is unconditional love coming from the cat.
• Boston, Massachusetts
6 Dec 09
it's so amazing how cats express their gratitude. at least they have their way to show it. there are people whose so ungrateful who finds it hard to say thank you and appreciate good things that you do. i may not have pet cats now but we used to have one in the province when my dad is still alive.