A tail flick can be used in many ways. It can mean, "Follow me," "I heard you," or even, "Be quiet!"
Listed below are some different situations:
A sharp flick and an agitated expression usually means the cat is annoyed, irritated, or impatient.
A bristle and a sharp flick of your tail usually means "Get over here now! I'm angry with you!"[source?]
A flick and jerking your head in a certain direction means "Meet me to the bushes at your left" or "Sneak out of camp with me through the brambles to the right."[source?]
If you call out to someone and their back is to you, they can flick their tail to show that they've heard.[4] Sticking your tail straight up in the air and flicking it sharply down means "Sit!"[source?]
An eye-roll and a flick of the tail means "Whatever."[source?]
A mrrow of laughter and a flick of a tail means "That was a good joke."[source?]
Saying, "Oh, fox-dung, I gotta go!" and flicking your tail means "Sorry! Talk to you later?" or "Yikes! I've gotta go use the dirtplace!"[source?]
Flicking your tail at a she-cat's belly and smiling means "She's expecting kits!"[source?]
Flicking your tail at someone and making a face means "What is wrong with him/her?"[source?]
A sharp flick of your tail during battle can mean two things; it can mean "Attack!" or "Help me!"[source?] A shrug followed by a tail flick: "Oh well."[source?]
Putting a tail over another cat's mouth means "Shut up, mouse-brain!" when the flick/movement is sharp or "Please, quiet" when the cat is talking too much.[5]
A flick in a certain direction can emphasize that they've got to go or look there.[6]
A normal flick can just be caused in amusement.[7]
A tail flick can be a way to vent anger or rage.[8]
Sometimes a cat can flick their tail when about to say something funny or sarcastic.[9]
A tail flick can also be executed in an arrogant, conceited, or contemptuous manner.[10]
Anxiety is another feeling that can trigger stiff tail flicks.[11]
Though many tail flicks occur in rash emotions, the tail can also be flicked happily.[12]
A tail flick can mean that the cat is bored.[13]
The tail can be flicked playfully on another cat's muzzle.[14]
A flick executed in the air can change the direction the cat will land.[15]
The need to protect can also be demonstrated by a tail flick.[16]
A cat may flick his/her tail to prompt something.[17]
The tail can be flicked in a proud manner.[18]
A cat may also flick their tail when about to give them a lecture on what is right.[19]
Eagerness can cause tail flicks as well.[20]
Other
There are several other motions that can be done with the tail. Listed below are some different situations:
Stroking another cat's spine or shoulder with the tail is a sign of affection or sympathy.[21]
Stroking on the cheek has the same meaning.[22]
Lashing their own tail usually happens in times of anger.[23]
However, this can also be a sign of excitement.[24]
Wrapping their tail around another cat shows affection or the need to protect. Mother cats often wrap their tail around their kit(s).[25]
The tail can also be used to beckon another cat.[26]
The tail can also show different emotions; a drooped tail, for instance, usually means the cat is sad.[27]
When first starting to hunt, it is instinct to swish their tail, but in order to catch prey properly, the tail must be kept still.
[28] Swishing their tail can mean that the cat is very excited and ecstatic.[29]
It can also be a sign of commencing an action [30]
or contemplating an important decision.[31]
Lifting their tail up is a form of composure, just as we humans sit up to recompose ourselves.[32]
The tail can be used to brush another cat away if they're not wanted.[33]
However, it can also be used for the opposite: to beckon a cat closer.[34]
When a cat cares for another cat, he/she can smooth their fur with the brush of the tail.[35]
A cat can whisk their tail when being conceited to show that they know everything.[36]
Twitching their tail can be a sign that they are skeptical about something.[37]
Crossly whipping their tail is a demonstration of anger.[38]
