A cat approaching with its tail straight up is greeting you
#0052 Animals & plants
Fact rank
A
Confirmed in an observational study of a cat colony (primary) and a cat-welfare charity (secondary). The study observed a single colony, so not S
Wow rank
A
The surprising pattern that lower-ranking cats raise their tails more
Usefulness
B
Helps read a cat's mood
Verification: Supported by evidence
AI verification reports the evidence it found; it does not guarantee that a claim is true.
A cat that comes towards you with its tail held straight up is giving a friendly greeting.
Why
In observations of a cat colony, low-ranking cats raised their tails more often and high-ranking cats received the signal more often; it is thought to signal a friendly approach that acknowledges the other.Evidence
Primary Abstract of Cafazzo and Natoli (2009, Behavioural Processes). Tail-up was displayed more often by low-ranking cats and received more often by high-ranking ones; it signals the intention to interact amicably link
Secondary International Cat Care. A raised tail signals friendly intent when a cat approaches another cat, animal or person link
Notes and limits
If the raised tail is also bristling, it can be a threat rather than a greeting (#0056). Japanese Wikipedia's "Cat" (ネコ) article also describes a raised tail as a sign of good mood.
Derivations
Derived from: 猫が大きくしっぽを振るのは喜びではなくいらだちのことが多い
Derived facts: —