A cat's tail is one of the best ways to see almost exactly what it's thinking and how she's feeling.

These are some cat tail positions and what they mean. Remember that petting a cat in the area around its tail is not appreciated much by most cats.

1. Upright, held high

What it means: Confident, happy
What to do: Offer playtime, cuddles, and treats.

2. Curled at the top like a question mark

What it means: Friendly
What to do: Offer your hand for sniffing and petting.

3. Straight down

What it means: Agitated, feeling aggressive
What to do: Don't try to engage or pet her. Try to neutralize whatever is upsetting her.

4. Curved beneath or around the body

What it means: Nervous and/or submissive
What to do: Act nonchalant. Wait for her to come to you.

5. Puffed

What it means: Scared, agitated, angry
What to do: Leave her alone, unless if it's something dangerous that she's afraid of.

6. Whipping back and forth

What it means: Fearful; angry, aggressive
What to do: Best not try for quality snuggle time with an angry cat.

7. Swaying slowly from side to side/twitching

What it means: Focused
What to do: Let your captivated cat follow her interests.