Expert: Becky - 2/5/2006

Question
Hi,Becky!
I'm a first cat owner; always had contact with dogs but love all animals. Lately I got a kitten - Silvester - who has lived wild for his first 4 months. He has addapted to domestic life in about one week! He is extremely well behaved for a young cat, quick to learn and even quicker to grasp the idea of petting, planting himself on our laps as soon as we settle down in the evenings, although he is an energy bomb during the day. I can usually read dogs body language, but not cat's. What does it mean when the tip of the tail twitches? His is in movement all the time. It does not seem to be nervous. Otherwise, Silvester is very affectionate, and is already learning that bitting hurts, so he does it very gently. Has bitting any particular meaning?
Thank you in advance for your advise.
Miaw for now.
Diana

Answer
Hi Diana,

Cats have no control over their tail movement! Isn't that strange?  I think that's why my Siamese kitten has so much fun attacking her own tail......lol.   So, honestly, I have no idea what the tail twitching means.   Biting is ok if it is little love nips.. but real biting must not be allowed, and as you stated you have already taken care of that.  I think they to that as a type of play, as again.. my Siamese will "attack" my older cats and bite them in a play manner.  She will also nip at my hands in a loving way, so I think it really is an affection thing as long as it doesn't draw blood...LOL.

God Bless,
Becky