Why does my cat greet me with his tail in the air. He doesn't greet other cats this way. Why?

Answer 1

It is a standard form of cat greeting for family members; which should include other cats living with you if there is that kind of relationship between them. Often, it is a greeting reserved for mothers and kittens; or adolescent cats in love! (Don't laugh! I mean in love, and not in heat! It happens!) As you feed your cat, he or she will think of you as "Great Mother Cat" and will always greet you this way. Take it to mean "Hello! I missed you! I love you! Can I eat now?" Kittens do the same to their mum cats and mum cats to the kittens. It is a compliment. Be grateful!

Answer 2

a breeder told me that when the tail goes up in the air the cat is very happy! He wouldn't greet other cats like that as he doesnt know if they are friendly

Answer 3

I've seen that with my cats. Tail position is an important element of communication, and 'tail up' is when they are announcing themselves, maybe because tail markings are an important identification feature.
They do lots of other stuff. Next time you greet your cat, try blinking and swaying your head from side to side, both friendly greeting signals.

Dr Doolittle rocks!

Answer 4

This is often accompanied by the tip of the tail being hooked over, like a walking-stick. This is a greeting, and is shown only to those they really love and are very pleased to see.

Answer 5

Because he loves you and is happy to see you!
Just think of it like a dog. When a dog owner gets home 9 times out of 10 the dog will jump around, wag it tail, etc.
Cats aren't as hyper, so you just have to look for the little signs, like the tail in the air.

Answer 6

Mine do that. They come in and walk next to my legs with their tails straight up in the air! maybe it's coz they know they're safe and are confident. Maybe they greet other cats with their tails down so as not to appear to cocky?! A mystery!

Answer 7

it's a sign of affection/respect when it comes to greeting humans


normally, in a household, the cat who holds it's tail up in the air in the alfa male/female, so your cat must be in the lower ranks

Answer 8

I have been told that cats do that as a sign of admiration and respect. Kittens will greet their mothers this way.

Answer 9

He is doing just that, greeting you. My old cats still do it.

Dont' want to gross you out and a kitten raises its tail like that because part of the mother's job is to clean and stimulate her kittens at their anuses.

You are now your cat's "mom" so that's why he does it.

Answer 10

Cats normally use their tails to protect their genital region in the event of attack. They are being cautious with other cats. They lift their tails when confident and as a sign of acceptance.