Why does my cat fluff his tail up really big?

Question

Sometimes, when my cat is playing with the other cat, or just randomly, he will fluff his tail up REALLY big. It looks funny. I have heard that they do this when they are scared sometimes. But why exactly do they do it?

Answer 1

They fluff up because it makes them appear bigger (and scarier) than they really are, it's a defense mechanism that often they practice during play, my cats do it too, it is funny!

Answer 2

They are not necessarily scared...but they are trying to scare their enemy. A lot of kittens do that when they are playing.

As for your cat, as friendly as he may be with the other cat, it might just be about dominance and when they are playing or at any other times, he may just go POOF! with his tail to let the other cat know "Beware!". This isn't a mean thing, just a pointer.

I know it's really cute when that happens and it's really funny too. My cat does that around dogs, and she walks sideways and her ears are flat on her head. She is just trying to seem bigger and scarier than the dog to show him off.

Answer 3

It's probably to make him appear bigger and therefore more intimidating. My cat does the same thing when she sees a strange cat outside. It's a defensive/aggresive behaviour that can happen during play or serious encounters in defending territory.

Answer 4

When they are scared they usually do it, but since they are playing it could be something else. Its almost like a way of telling the other cat they are not scared and will fight. My cat did it to her kitten when he was fully grown.

Answer 5

They do this to look bigger and more aggressive or as you said when they are scared. My 2 do this and is so funny, as my Daughter says 'Muffin & Cookie (the cats names) are all bushy again' LOL

Answer 6

My cat does the same thing.

It's just a thing to scare off the preditor or whatever. A thing to look big & bad.
lol

Answer 7

They do that to make themselves look bigger, in the hope that whatever they are frightened by will think that they are too big to fight with. You might also notice that he stands side on, again so he looks as big as possible.

Answer 8

My cat does this when she gets startled when playing or in general - I call it puffy tail time :o)

I think it is just what happens when they get startled...

Answer 9

when they get scared they puff up their fur to scare off the thing they are scared of. my cat does it when we put the dog up in the garage for the night.