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Biology and You

You and the “other” Animals

Why do cats swish their tails?

A cat’s tail is a means of communication and can represent a range of moods. Every cat owner is familiar with the slow sweep of a cat’s tail from side to side. A happy cat will greet you with a tail raised high, while a slight movement indicates pleasure and/or anticipation. As the cat becomes more hunterlike, the flick of the tip becomes first a twitch and then a thrashing. At this point the cat is highly engaged and likely to pounce.



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