Cats

Why Do Cats Lift Their Tail? ( 5 Reasons Vets Suggest)

If you are a  cat owner, you might have observed that whenever you pet them, your cat raises its butt. Ever wondered why do cats lift their tail when petted? Raising the butt is one of the favourite acts that cat always loves to exhibit. If you are in awe of your cat as I am, you are sure to be aware of this cute behavior of your cat. Some cats show a slight raising of its butt, while a few others show a full yoga pose.

Cats raise the base of their tail or even that butt whenever you pet them just to show that they like what you do and wants you to do it more. Called “buttwagging” or “tail elevation reflex”, this behaviour is known to be showing that they are comfortable with you. If you are wondering why do cats put their butt in the air, you can bee sure that they love you. 

Why Do Cats Lift Their Tail When You Pet Them?

There are several reasons that your cats always lift their tail or straight-up tail when you pet them. Veterinarians consider this as a friendly greeting or a sign of friendliness, Let us explore a few reasons that rasing the tail indicates, and what makes your cat lift bum when petted. 

why do cats raise tail when you pet them

1. They show that they are loving it

The elevator butt sign is that cats love what you are doing. Raising the tail tells you that your cat is in love with it. So, when your cat raises its butt, you have a reason to be honored. Your cat is comfortable with you and is in love with what you are doing with it. In fact, the base of the tail is the sweet spot for your cat and raising it a clear way of its body language and is a form of communication.

2. Your cat may be in heat

If you have a female cat and if it raises its butt and hind paws when you pet them, you should know your furry friend is in heat. Female cats in heat normally lift their hindquarters and lift their tail. Anoter indicator is that your cat will be more affectionate and friendly with you and may rub a lot against the things. Frequent head butts are quite common when it comes to cat behavior when it is in heat cycle.That should be more common and possible answer to why do female cats lift their bums when you pet them. 

3. They love the sensation

Raising the tail and butt is a way for cats to show that thy love a sensation that they are getting. The nerve endings  at the base of the tail make it sensitive.

The tails high in the air can mean that they are getting a lot of pleasure and relaxation. Raising the back end is also a way to communicate their positive feelings. However, it is important to understand that not all cats react in the same way or  exhibit this behavior. It is advisable to check your specific feline behavior to ascertain whether your cat loves it or not.

4. They are spreading their scent

Raising the butt is a sign with or without petting session can also be a way for the cat to activate its scent glands and spread its scent. It is one of the excellent way for the cat to spread pheromones through its scent glands. Cats generally greet each other through the display of their butts and they sniff at each other to show love for each other.

5. It is an instinct for your cat

Raising the butt when you pet it is cat’s way to show its love for you. The mom cat helps by licking the butt of its kittens to let them learn how to defecate. Without this assistance, the litter of kittens can develop health issues. The tickle around the case of the tail will help the kittens in stimulating themselves. Later in their life, the adult cats continue to show thee same behaviour, and that should ideally explain why do cats lift their bums when you pet them.

Key takeaway - Why do cats have tail and whiskers?

The tail and whiskers in your cat serve multiple purposes. They are not just ornamental, but help the cat in different ways such as balance and being warm.

Tail can be of much help in balancing and staying warm. The tail can be a great means of balancing the body when  jumping, climbing, and hunting.  Whiskers, on the other hand, are a great way to help you cat in sensory perception.

However that should not mean that a cat that has its tail fallen off or born without tail face any issues with the balance and coordination.

Why do Female Cats lift their Bum?

One of the most possible reasons why your female cat lifts its bum can be it is in heat. In case you have not yet neutered your female cat, it can be an indicator that the cat is going though a reproductory period and looking a male partner. Most of the times, lifting the tail is typically accompanied with howling.

Apart from raising the but and howling, a few other signs that may indicate that your ccat is in heat may include

  • Consistent and loud vocalisation
  • Rubbing, rolling and increased demand for affection
  • Spraying urine anywhere
  • Trying to escape

Why Do Cats Display Their Bums to You?

If you have been a cat lover and wondering why do cats put their butt in the air or even display their bums to you, we are happy to let you know that it is their ways of showing affection. Cats show butt to indicate affection, trust and even asking for attention. Showing butt is their own way of friendly behavior among cats. They show the same behavior even with their fellow cats, especially when the two cats are friendly.

Cats present their butt to show you that

  • They trust you
  • They are inviting you to check them out
  • They are giving a friendly hello
  • They want you to pet them.

Showing butt is akin to human way of kissing when we meet friends.

Why Do Cats Like Their Bum Tapped?

Cats have a huge number of nerve endings at the base of their tail. tapping or petting the bum will thus increase the release of dopamine and oxytocin. This will create a happy mood and that is why perhaps cats like their bum tapped or caressed slowly.

The bum and surrounding regions also have scent glands. This will help them feel soothing and relaxed. Peting the bum is a sign of a close interaction as long as cats are concerned. It may also feel like a massage and provides a form of pleasure. Cats like their bum being tapped because they simply love the attention that they are getting. If the cat is in the right mood, it may see slapping on the bum as a reward for bonding.

Why do cats put their tail on you?

The tail of the cat contains scent glands. When they wrap their tail around you or tap you with their tail, they are simply sharing heir scent with you. It an simply be a sign of interaction and affection. Putting their tail on you or wrapping it around you is a sign of expressing affection, relaxation, and love. If you find your cat put its tail on you, it is a perfect time for bonding and petting your cat.

A few Cat Tail Positions and What They tell You!

Cats raise their butts when they love your company. However, raising the butts is not the only way cats communicate with their tail. Let us explore the best ways and means that cats use tail signals.

Tail position – HIGH

When cats move with their tail raised high, it indicates their level of confidence. A tail that is straight up indicates that your cat is happy and is ready to socialise. If you notice a slight twitch at the tip of the tail, that may indicate a higher level of happiness. This is why do cats raise their tail when they are the only pets in a home. That is a clear mark of confidence and referred to as elevator butt cats. 

Tail Position – CURVED IN A QUESTION MARK FORM

This is an indicator that you cat is in a playful mood. You can take your time off to play with your cat. You will never find any disturbance or annoying behavior from your cat.

Tail Position – LOW

This is the position of the tail that you should be careful. Make sure to stay away from your  cat. Cat’s tail in a low position indicates stress and aggression. The tail in low position can an indicator of  a serious mood. However, do remember that some breeds of cats like Persian cats do have their tails low for no apparent reason.

Tail Position – TUCKED AWAY

The reason your cat moves its tail tucked away can be a sign of fear or submission. Maybe there is something that is taking your cat feel nervous. You would perhaps want to check the reasons and resolve them right away.

Tail Position – PUFFED UP

A puffed up tail is used as part of behavior as a way to indicate severe agitation. Your cat is perhaps stressed out and agitated. This is the way cat tries to look much bigger than it actually is.

Tail Position – SWISHING MOTION

The tail position swishing from one side to another is a sign that the cat is intently concentrated on something. You would find this behavior when the cat is trying to pounce on something. This can either be Kibble food or a toy.

Tail Position – WHIPPING MOTION

If you find the tail of the cat flipping faster rapidly can indicate that your cat is fear and aggression. It is always a safer option to stay away.

Tail Position – WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER CAT

Have you ever put your arm around your friend? This is exactly what a cat does when it puts its tail around another cat. Yu will find your cat doing it with its litter of kittens. This usually means your cat is in loe and affection with the other cat or its kittens.

The Concluding Thoughts

Well, a cat raising its butt or its hind quarters or showing an  is a sign that h they are trying to be friends with you. Check out the reasons for why do cats lift their tail when petted or even otherwise. This would help you understand what you pet cat is trying to communicate wiht you. The other signs of different tail positions as outlined above should help you get access to the best information on what to understand.

So, next time you begin wondering why do cats lift their tail when you pet them, you know what it means in cat’s language. The elevator butt cats should no longer be a surprise for you. 

FAQs

Why cats put their bum in your face?
Putting their butt in your face can be what many cats use to communicate that they want to be petted. While some cats are fine when they reach out to your wiht its paws, it is quite common to find it shoving its butt into your face to get more attention.
Where do cats like to be stroked the most?
The preferred areas that your cat loves to be petted is along the back, under the chin and around the ears. These areas are the areas that cats rub to each other when they are friendly with one another. Cats generally avoid the areas such as paws, underbelly, tail and whiskers. They also do not like their lower hind legs being petted. 
Where is the most sensitive part of a cat?
The most sensitive part of a cat’s body is its whiskers. They tend to have a concentration of nerve endings. You can compare them to your fingertips. Whiskers are an extension of cat’s body and can detect even the smallest signs of changes in the environment such as  Air currents, Air pressure, Temperature, and Wind direction. 

About the author

Timmappa Kamat

Timmappa Kamat is a pet lover and a dedicated writer specializing in the captivating world of pets. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to DreamyMammals. He grew up surrounded by pets since his childhood and this made him develop a connection with animals. This has sparked a lifelong curiosity for understanding and communicating with pets.
Writing style of Timmappa Kamat is characterised by a warm and friendly tone, making complex pet-related topics accessible to readers of all backgrounds. He loves sharing the animal behaviour with a persoanl touch. He creates articles that resonate with pet owners, thanks to their relatable and informative nature.

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About Author

Timmappa Kamat

Timmappa Kamat is a pet lover and a dedicated writer specializing in the captivating world of pets. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to DreamyMammals. He grew up surrounded by pets since his childhood and this made him develop a connection with animals. This has sparked a lifelong curiosity for understanding and communicating with pets.
Writing style of Timmappa Kamat is characterised by a warm and friendly tone, making complex pet-related topics accessible to readers of all backgrounds. He loves sharing the animal behaviour with a persoanl touch. He creates articles that resonate with pet owners, thanks to their relatable and informative nature.