As two cats meet, they greet one another. You might notice that they approach each other with their tails high up extended. A raised tail is your pet’s “Hello” greeting.
Allorubbing, or mutually rubbing heads, will often follow tail greetings. A cat will use the typical tail greeting when meeting human companions. When your pet approaches you next time, observe her if she performs the tail greeting.
When the hairs along your pet cat’s spine and tail stand upright (piloerection), be wary. This behavior typically signifies defensive aggression and fear. It is thought that a cat is attempting to look larger in order to intimidate possible attackers. In cases like these, something, perhaps even you, may have spooked the animal.
The “Halloween cat” or “Friday cat” is a classic depiction of a cat with her hair standing upright and is quite known as a sign that the cat is serious.
The thing to remember here is that the cat behavior piloerection is a response to fear and not aggression. If you happen to see your cat act this way, try to be calm, move slowly, and try your best to keep the cat relaxed and reassure her that you do not mean her harm.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s behavior, don’t hesitate to contact your animal clinic Scottsdale, AZ.