What does it mean when a cat's tail is upright?

A cat with its tail upright usually expresses happiness or fear. If the cat's tail is straight and upright, it means the cat is in a good mood or is delighted to see its owner. If the cat's tail is upright like a puffball, it indicates that the cat is threatened, and it might also emit a hissing sound. At this moment, the cat is likely to attack at any time, so the owner should be cautious.

Cats are very sensitive animals and often use body language to express their emotions, with their tail position reflecting their mood. Owners can carefully observe the cat's tail when it's upright and judge its mood based on the following examples:

Straight and upright:

When a cat is in a secure environment or feeling happy, it will straighten its tail, which is also a way for the cat to show confidence and boast. Some cats will actively approach their owner and wag their tail from side to side, expressing their love for the owner. Therefore, the owner should feel happy because it proves that the cat trusts them enough.

If the cat rubs its upright tail against the owner's leg, it wants some interaction from the owner.

Puffball-like upright:

When a cat's tail is upright like a puffball, it usually occurs when the cat feels uncomfortable, scared, or threatened. If the cat keeps crying while its tail is upright, it means the cat is in an attack state. When attacked, the cat will spread its fur to scare off the enemy.

Note: If you encounter a stray cat with its tail upright like a puffball, it is recommended to stay away from the cat to avoid being bitten or scratched. If it's a cat you're raising, find out the threat to the cat and help it return to normal. For example, if there's another cat in the house that causes the cat to puff up, the owner needs to give the cat enough time to get used to the new member.