Why Does My Cat Hit Me With His Tail – Affection Or Play?

The eyes might be the most expressive feature of a human’s face, but for a cat, their tail is guaranteed to let you know how they are feeling. A cats tail acts as a mood barometer, and you can always tell if they are happy, annoyed, or upset. But the reasons aren’t always clear, and it still makes you ask this question; why does my cat hit me with his tail?

Cats hit you with their tail to get your attention. Being hit by a tail can also signal a cat that is irritated, lonely, affectionate, anxious, or hungry. This is a normal form of communication in cats and not a reason for concern.

A cat hitting you with it’s tail is quite normal, but there are more reasons beyond what’s listed above. Let’s take a deep dive into why cats do this, and how you can monitor your own pet and figure out what they’re trying to tell you.

Reasons Cats Hit You With Their Tail 

Cats communicate in odd ways, and tail swiping is one of those unique instances. Below are some key reasons cats hit you with their tail and how to interpret them.

Your Cat Wants You To Move

One flick of the tail to the leg can be an indicator that you are in your cat’s way and they want you to move. Maybe you are blocking them from getting into a specific room, or they would like to get through a door, but your cat is nonverbally letting you know that you are in their way.  

Your Cat Is Irritated 

You can tell your cat is irritated because they will hit you with their tail in a series of quick, sharp touches. A quick flick of the tail is often a sign that your cat is upset.

Sometimes this can happen when you are brushing their fur, and they are ready for you to stop, or if you are petting them and have had enough for a while. A cat’s mood can change quickly, and you can spot this by watching its tail.

Other ways you can tell your cat is irritated with you? Check to see if your cat’s ears are also pinned back and if they are sitting in a stiff, rigid position.

If you see that your cat is exhibiting these behaviors, the best thing you can do is ignore your cat and walk away. Acting normally signals to them that there is no threat or irritation present, which should help them calm down faster. 

Your Cat Is Hungry

Sometimes if a cat is hungry, it will walk by and give you an angry swish of the tail. Usually, this gesture is full of a deliberate urgency; as your cat is trying to impart upon you, they are eagerly awaiting their next meal.

If you are eating something and your cat would like some of it, they may also do this.

If you notice your cat becomes truly angry around mealtimes, take disciplinary action to correct this. If you continue to let your cat act out when hungry, the behavior will continue to escalate. Cats that are incredibly food motivated should not be rewarded with food when they act out. 

Your Cat Is Ready For Some Playtime

If it is an hour of the day where your cat usually has a lot of energy, sometimes they will come by and hit you with their tail as a way to let you know they would like some attention.

Look for your cat to do this in the early morning or late evening after they have eaten their dinner meal.

 A playful cat will usually find a toy or object to bat around and may even get a case of the “zoomies” and run around in circles throughout your house. When you see this, break out the toys and get ready to play with your kitty!  

Anxiety And Nervousness Are Bothering Your Cat 

Usually, if a cat is concerned about something going on in its environment, a look at its tail is one of the first ways you will be able to tell. A cat that is upset will crouch lower towards the ground and swish its tail out of anxiety. Sometimes this stance is accompanied by a concerned meow if your cat is more vocal.  

It Was An Accident

Sometimes your cat might hit you with its tail on accident. Cats love to get close to their humans and often run around under your foot as you are working or moving through your home. When your cat is closely under your feet, it’s easy for them to bat their tail in your direction accidentally. 

Your Cat Is Greeting You

People shake hands or hug each other to say hello, but cats can use their tails to accomplish the same thing. If your cat hits you and wraps your leg or an arm with their tail, consider it a form of a warm greeting. Cats do this behavior to show someone they are excited to see them!  

Your Cat Is Angry

The expression in the tail to be the wariest of is when your cat gives a low flick of the tail and swishes it back and forth. If you see this, give your cat some serious space while they work through their emotions.

If you see your cat is furious, make sure to approach them slowly and avoid making any sudden movements.

Give your cat at least twenty minutes to calm down by themselves before you approach them again; if something triggered their anger, like a toddler pulling their tail or another cat getting aggressive, make sure to remove the aggressor from the room to give your cat some space to relax again. 

What Does It Mean When A Cat Brushes Its Tail Against You 

A cat that approaches you to brush its tail against you is doing to leave its scent on your body. When a cat does this, they claim you as their person by leaving their mark on you. Consider this a huge compliment! 

Cats will not typically get close to someone if they do not like them, and they are even less likely to rub up against a person unless they feel very connected to that person.

Cats have scent glands at the base of their tail, and so rubbing against you allows them to leave a little of that scent on you so that other animals know you are their person. 

Cats will do this fairly frequently, and you may notice they come and brush up against you the most on days when you have been out of the house for the longest periods.

This happens because any scent they left on you has now rubbed off, and they will come back around to brush up against you and make sure they leave a fresh scent on your body. 

Sometimes cats get a bad wrap that whenever they make any significant tail movements, it is always a sign that they are annoyed or angry, but this is not true.

Cats are more likely to brush against you as a sign of affection rather than a sign of significant annoyance.  

Final Thoughts

There are even more ways a cat can use their tail to express what is going on in their minds. If a cat lays down and curls up with their tail around them, they take a protective stance and may be feeling defenseless.

A cat that is deep in sleep often will swish their tail back and forth, and this could indicate that your cat is lost in its dream.

The funny thing about cats is that often their emotions can change very quickly.

They might approach you to want to play, and ten minutes later, swat you with their tail to let you know they need personal space. While their moods can be mercurial, you can gather clues into their feelings based on their nonverbal cues.

A cat’s tail often contains excellent insight into the secrets of its emotions. While some people believe a cat only uses their tail expressively when they are mad, this is not always the case.

A cat may use their tail to express a wide array of feelings, from being very happy to highly concerned. The more time you spend watching your cat, the better you will develop your sense of what your cat and tail are trying to tell you.