Although it is hard to tell how cats feel, as a matter of fact, their tails tell you how they feel. We summarize 14 patterns with illustrations and comments. Once you know these patterns, it will help you when you live with a cat.

They show this sign when they feel good at a safe place or happy. Also, they raise their tail to show themselves off. They are masters of their territories. It is as if they are saying, “I’m nice, ain’t I?”

They do this sign when they stand are apprehensive or aggressive. They do this to intimidate an opponent or prey. They make themselves look bigger by standing their hairs on end. Their size is important to help avoid conflict. Sometimes the cause is fear, but most of the time, they do this for attacking.

They do this when they are in tension or before fighting. When there is an opportunity, they make pattern 2 and 3 in combination, which means fighting. The sign means “Do not come any closer.”

This is a sign when they feel helpless fear. Sometimes they do this pose as a sign of “submission” to an opponent, whom they cannot win against at all. In addition, they make this sign when they feel sad, or when they feel extreme anxiety when they go to a new place or an animal hospital. It is one step before a panic situation. So avoid giving them stimulus.

When they are disappointed because they got yelled at by their master, they are down, or they feel ill, they do this sign. You can tell their health condition with this sign.

They do this sign when they find something interesting. When they feel “What's this?”, they have a question, or they watch something, they often do this sign. Sometimes they wave their tails when they are relaxed or when they are not thinking anything.

This is when they are annoyed or feel bad. It can also show they are restless. It is like people shaking their leg.