Cat's tail?

Question

Whenever our cat plays with my fiance and me, her tail bristles out into a thick brush. Why is this? Happy or Angry?

Answer 1

Irritated.

Answer 2

I've got eight cats, and when they're happy their tails are up and fluffy. Cats are like humans, they react in different ways to different things.

Does she do anything else? Hissing? Backing away? Ears flat? or is she quite happy to play along? You can tell from the other signs - the tail isn't such a good indicator I've found.

The link below is quite informative on what the different tail positions mean xxx

Answer 3

Fear makes their tails bristle out - it makes them look bigger so they feel better! Is your cat still young? Maybe she is just learning stuff. My cat had kittens, and it is amazing how they play. I kept one, and she is mad as a hatter. Her tail still bushes out when i play with her, but she is purring at the same time so i know she is happy.

Answer 4

A cats tail is puffed out in order to make themselves look bigger to a threatening animal or situation., and hence not be attacked. I wouldn't worry about it, she is just getting carried away in the game, just be careful in case you are accidently hurting her in some way. if she wasn't happy she would sratch or bite you, not carry on playing.

Answer 5

Hi James...whenever a cat puffs up it's tail like this generally means they are upset or frightened. Here's a chart of tail expressions: http://messybeast.com/images/cat-chat3.png

Answer 6

angry, if u notice cats fighting their tail bushes out to almost 5x its size, its to show aggression and fearlessness

Answer 7

They generally do that when they've gotten a fright - it makes them look bigger. I imagine that it feels like goosebumps. So your kitty is probably just overexcited while playing.

Answer 8

If shes playing she is happy.

Answer 9

stop poking your cat with a stick

Answer 10

irritated, agitated, angry, or maybe scared..