If a cat wags its tail, what does it mean?

Another version of why a cat shakes its tail also relates to the emotional sphere. Chaotic tail movements are similar to the swaying of a leg or the tapping of fingers on the table of a thoughtful person. Since the tail is one of the indicators of the cat's mood, the furry pet shows its emotions with it.

Why a cat wags its tail.

Pets have a number of personality traits in the manifestation of character. This trait is especially evident in members of the feline family. Pets with whiskers love to express themselves by imitating the behavior of the owner. For this purpose, they use various methods – movements with their ears, eyes and paws.

The tail has a special meaning for cats, with the help of which the animal can inform the owner or a stranger about its intentions, friendliness or aggression. To understand the signs given by the cat's tail is not as difficult as it may seem at first sight. All that is required from the owner is to carefully observe their pet, properly recognizing and studying the signals.

The most powerful indicator of a pet's condition is their tail. Unlike other pets – dogs, the tail of mustachioed pranksters is much more mobile. One of the functions of the tail in cats is balancing. Abruptly raising it strictly in the upward direction means a lifted mood, expresses joy and welcomes the owner when he comes home.

Why do cats wag their tails?

In dealing with the question of why a cat's tail, there are several aspects to consider. Tail mobility is a basic indicator of changes in a cat's mood. The wagging movements mean that the pet is curious or, on the contrary, irritated by what is going on around it.

Knowing why a cat wags its tail, the owner will be able to assess not only the emotional state, but also the physical health of the animal. In case of internal diseases and pain, the cat may also wag its tail, but this indicates a depressed mood, not excitement.

Cats can express their increased anxiety by abrupt waving of their tail up and down while twisting the tail tip in parallel. This is how a cat indicates its anxiety and readiness to defend itself from a potential enemy, if necessary.

Cats, unlike dogs, cannot hide their discontent. When irritated, the pet not only sharply wags its tail from side to side, but also makes noises. If after the warning signs from the cat nothing has changed, the pet can proceed to an active attack or defense.

Agile, playful and agile cats are capable not only of expressing their emotions, but also of picking up on the emotional state of their owner or other household members who are being condescended to.

Irritation

Unlike dogs, cats often wag their tails when they are annoyed. It is not uncommon for them to exhibit this behavior when they are at the vet for a checkup. It is difficult to say exactly why the cat wags its tail when you pet it: if it presses its ears together and strays away, most likely it is annoyed and wants you to stop touching it.

Cats move their tails with great amplitude, being in hunting mode. Their job is to hypnotize their prey. If you see your pet's tail bobbing and its eyes staring somewhere, it will probably lunge at its prey, real or imagined, in a few seconds.

Sense of safety

Why do cats wag their tails when lying down with their eyes closed? It's a sign that they feel safe! Think of this gesture as your pet's way of saying, "I feel safe enough to keep my eyes closed."

In general, tail movement is an important part of cat body language. It is a way of communicating with other animals and people.

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What does it mean when the cat wags its tail

Everyone knows that tail – Is not only an ornament of a cat. It helps to land successfully on the ground or the floor during a jump from a height, to balance fearlessly on fences and tree branches, coordinating the balance of the animal. Also, the whiskered pets' tails are a real indicator of mood. Not being able to express their emotions with words, our little brothers use their body language. And, perhaps, the movements of a cat's tail can more eloquently than any meow demonstrate to the owner what the animal is experiencing.

The animal's mood changes many times during the day, just like any human. To determine the mood of a cat by its tail you just need to observe it:

• The tail of the cat is pointed upward, the hair on it is curly, the back is arched, the eyes are dilated – the animal is in a state of extreme anger (perhaps the object of dislike of the pet is nearby: another person's cat, a dog);
• When standing or sitting the cat wags its tail chaotically, violently striking the floor or its sides – the pet is extremely unfriendly and can even attack. Such tail "behavior" can be observed, for example, after the cat meets its rival or after unpleasant games for the animal (throwing the cat to the ceiling, active belly rubbing etc.);
• A cat shakes its tail quickly and finely, pointing it upwards – a sign of excitement, including sexual excitement. This behavior can be noticed in a cat when it sees a member of the opposite sex or is in anticipation of a favorite treat;
• A cat presses its tail to the ground or on the floor and its tip twitches nervously and finely – a signal that the cat has awakened its hunting instinct (a rodent, bird or insect is nearby);
• A cat wags its tail not too actively – a sign that the cat is thinking over its actions, for example, whether it wants to have a snack or go for a walk;
• The pet's tail pointing upwards, perpendicular to his back – a good sign that means the animal is in a good mood. With their tails up and purring, friendly cats greet their owner returning from work;
• In the sitting position, the pet actively wags the tip of its tail, looking interestedly at one point – a sign that the animal is in a playful mood at the moment. Such cat behavior can be seen while following a toy mouse on a string;
• A cat sitting looking into its owner's eyes with its tail wagging on the floor at a medium speed is an attempt to attract attention ("Boss, look at me");
• its tail is loose and drooping down, legs slightly tucked up, that means the cat is frightened (say, by a suddenly turned on vacuum cleaner or unknown person who has come into the house);
• A cat sitting, standing or lying with its tail relaxed – a sign of peace and good humor;
• The cat wags its tail, raising it horizontally – an action that means the animal is wary and distrustful. This happens if a pet has not definitively decided that it is safe (for example, if it came into someone else's yard or was in a veterinary clinic);
• A pet's tail pointed upright and the tip slightly bent, a good sign that the pet is in a quiet mood;
• A cat has gone to the resting place and even dozed off, but its tail is moving slowly from side to side – a signal that the animal is worried about something, nervous and does not feel safe. This sight can be seen, for example, if the pet is annoyed because of loud noises in the room or in the street;
• The head of the pet in standing position is dropped down, the tail hangs indifferently and relaxed between the paws – the pet Murzyk gives to understand that he is sad or bored;
• The pet almost falls down on the owner's legs, wrapping its tail around them – a clear sign of flattery. This is a way for the pet to beg for food or to call for affection;
• A cat with its tail slightly bent at the tip comes up to the owner and lightly bites his leg – an attempt to pay attention to itself ("master, don't forget to play with me" or "feed me");
• A pet pet pokes its head at the owner with its tail upright as a sign of love and friendship. Cats usually behave this way only with the most pleasant people and never with strangers.

How you can know how a cat feels by its tail

By the movement of the tail you can not only understand the mood of the cat, but also learn something about the health and behavior of the animal, even to predict the weather:

• If the cat came to the wall (door, furniture), raised its tail horizontally and quickly shook it, it can mean that the animal "marked" the territory. This behavior can occur not only in males, but also in females;
• When the cat is quietly dozing or just resting in a sitting position, its tail is usually at rest. But as soon as you call the pet's name, the animal instantly responds to the owner's voice with a slight wag of the tail. It is as if the cat is saying, "Master, I hear you;
• Usually the sharp, chaotic tail movements symbolize the anger of the animal. But not always. Sometimes the tail shakes vigorously by a pet that is not feeling well;
• The cat sometimes wags its tail because of stress (change of residence, rearrangement of furniture, the arrival of a new pet in the house, etc.);
• The pet may twitch its tail and periodically chew on it due to fleas or other bloodsuckers;
• If the pet tucks its tail under itself when sitting or lying down, it means that it is cold. There is even a popular belief: the cat curled up and hid its tail between her paws, then soon will come frost. By the way, this is not the only folk omen about the tail of cats. It is believed that an animal can fluff up the tail before a snowstorm, and thoroughly lick it – before the rain;
• When a furry pet lies on the floor with its tail parallel to its back, it means that it is hot.

How to understand the behavior of a cat by its tail? For example: I pet her, she purrs and wags her tail.

Calm: the tail hangs in its natural position, relaxed. A cat sits or lies with its tail wrapped around itself – it is in good spirits and trusts those around it.

Friendliness: Why does a cat's tail curl when it approaches a person? The tail's position means that the cat is happy to meet you and does not mind to be petted by your pet's silky coat. In the same way she meets an acquainted tribesman.

Caution: if a cat does not know if it is a friend or foe, it keeps its tail elevated at the angle of 45 degrees. Why do cats wag their tails even when they sit next to their beloved person and seem to be completely satisfied with life? It's simple – the pet is checking if there is an enemy behind, who wants to treacherously attack.

Curiosity: why does the cat twitch its tail, moving the very tip from side to side? Most likely, she sees or hears something that interests her and awakens one of the most striking traits of her character – curiosity in the huntress. It may be a fly, the sound of rain or even the smell of pilaf from the neighbor's apartment, but be careful: the cat may be interested in the hand stroking it, and in this case it is wise to leave the pet alone.

Playfulness: how can you tell a cat by its tail when it is playing? A cat that is aware of its limits wags its tail in a relaxed manner, moving its tail smoothly and without nervousness. If the cat gets too excited, it wags its tail faster and faster, and its movements become more and more abrupt – beware, in the next moment the cat may prefer your hand to the toy. Why does the cat shake its tail pointing vertically? This is also a form of playfulness bordering on sexual excitement.

Irritation: The tail is the easiest way to see a cat's bad mood. The pet, irritated by something, sharply moves the tail from side to side, not waving it, but as if shifting the tail back and forth. The tail sticks out almost vertically, and the tip is bent, resembling a hook – I do not want to communicate, though I understand that you're not to blame for my nervousness.

if a cat wags its tail, does that mean it likes it or vice versa?

The tail of cats is an indicator of their mood. Different tail positions have different meanings. So, if the cat wags its tail from side to side it means it's mad; if it moves it in "up-down" direction it means it's thinking, making one of possible decisions from its point of view; if at the moment of your petting (provided that the cat stands on all legs) it raises its tail it means that it is in good mood and your petting is pleasant for it.

If the dog wags its tail, it means it is delighted. But if the cat – he does not like something. And the more he wiggles, the more he doesn't like it.

It depends on how he wags.
If he meets you from work – the tail is curly and slightly wags the tip – it's you he is glad to see,
If the animal was lying quietly, and then you decided to pet him thus violating his peace, the cat starts nervously tapping his tail – it's a warning that he did not like.

It means he's nervous or he's pissed off.
A cat is not a dog!
Cats can't wag their tails from pleasure. or they don't want to.
By the way, the position of the tail is an indicator of his mood.
nervous twitching or abrupt waving (as if he's cutting with a sword) does not portend anything good.
A "brooding" quiet and infrequent sleepy wagging. it's okay!

A cat is perfectly capable of wagging his tail if he likes something. You don't have to repeat the internet nonsense that if the cat wags its tail, it is always displeased. I have a cat and 3 kittens. The kitten-cat used to bite me lightly and obviously did not like it when I stroked him, perhaps he was jealous, but now I have paid more attention to him and he has changed his behavior, he often meets me at the door and is happy to be petted, wagging his tail like a dog, with quite a sweeping amplitude. The human can also wave his hands for joy as well as for grief. A dog is just almost always happy with his owner, no matter how he treats him, and cats have a more complicated character in this sense, but that does not mean that wagging the tail they are always unhappy, THIS IS FALSE.

How is a cat's tail designed, what functions does it perform?

The cat's tail is a direct extension of the spine. It originates from the vertebrae of the sacrum, fused into a single bone, and consists of three parts:

• The root. It is located closest to the sacrum and consists of 4-6 vertebrae. The first of them are short and flat, while the latter acquire a cylindrical shape. They retain the body and arch like the other bones of the vertebral column.
• Stem. The tail itself, i.e. its flexible, movable part. Consists of 10-15 vertebrae with elongated cylindrical bodies.
• Tip. The bones are shortened and thinning toward the end. The tail ends with a small, rudimentary, irregularly shaped vertebrae.

Cats have a total of 20-27 vertebrae in the tail, the number depending on the breed. The bones are connected by intervertebral discs and ligaments, the elasticity of which provides mobility of the organ. The cat can wag its tail thanks to the three main tail muscles and many short ones.

• The balancer, which allows the animal to hold onto sloping, slippery, uneven and narrow surfaces;
• orientation in space;
• communication with congeners and other animals;
• thermal regulator – can act as a "blanket" or "blanket".

Read also: How to teach kitten tricks at home, can you teach commands to an adult cat?

What does tail wagging mean?

Tail wagging is not only important for a cat to communicate with humans. Cats communicate with each other with their body language and the tail plays an important role in this, as it is almost constantly on the move. Changing its position, rhythm of movement, the amplitude, the animal expresses its aggression, discontent or, conversely, calmness, invites to play. So how does the owner understand his pet by looking at his tail?

"I'm satisfied!"

Satisfaction with a nourishing meal, pleasant petting, sleeping on a warm radiator, interesting play, cats express themselves with the movements of the tail. How the owner knows that his pet is happy, calm and in a good mood?

Wagging is light, unhurried, only the tip of the tail is involved. During stroking, the cat may squint its eyes, roll over on its back, thereby expressing the highest degree of trust in the person. However, vigilance is still maintained. Tail wagging is not only for pleasure, but also for timely detection of enemies that may suddenly sneak up while the cat is lounging in the sun.

If a cat welcomes its owner returning from work with its tail held high and its tip trembling, this is how it expresses its joy of meeting him. In addition, the cat begins to rub its feet, taking in new smells and leaving its own behind.

"I'm not happy!"

Why do light tail wagging alternate with sharp wags and what does this mean? When a person obsessively strokes a cat, ignoring her needs, she may quickly become disgusted with the attention. This means that the cat is tired of being with the person and wants to rest, or maybe it is uncomfortable because some part of the body has been touched.

Why do cats wag their tails?

Cats in general are very frank in expressing their feelings. The movements of the cat's tail are especially expressive, by which even without seeing the expression of the cat's face, you can judge about the states and intentions of the animal. The raised tail always shows that the cat is friendly and in a good mood. The tails of kittens, which are almost constantly in an upright position, symbolize their interest in the world around them. With its tail up high, the cat rubs its owner's legs, greets familiar animals and invites him to play.

A wary cat's tail is lowered and ruffled. If its hair rises up only at the base of its tail, the animal does not know what to do. Strongly frightened cats pinch their tail between their paws.

Aggressiveness is demonstrated by a completely loose, tense and raised tail in dominant animals and a lowered, arched tail in subordinates. The first sign of irritation is the rhythmic twitching of the horizontally extended tail. If the tail is down and tapping on the floor, the cat is frightened rather than angry. But if the tail movements build up, the tail twitches from side to side, and the cat starts flicking itself on the sides with it, it's pronounced aggression.

The tail wagging has several meanings depending on how fast and which part of the tail is moving: the wagging of the tail slightly indicates relaxation; the tail moving slowly at first and then getting faster and faster so that the cat's croup starts swinging, occurs before the jumping to the object of prey.

Specifically, in your situation "If his tail is wagging – he's not happy, but he is wagging his tail and purring at the same time =)", he wants to play with you, invites you to play, but only on his terms, that is, he wants to be the boss in the game

Here is my cat =) What do you think the position of his tail expresses? =)
Good luck!

Reason nine: allergies

The tail twitching of the cat may be due to itching caused by an allergic reaction to food, food, plant pollen, medicines. Hypersensitivity to this or that element is usually accompanied by other manifestations:

Allergic cats require increased attention from the owners. It is important to closely monitor the pet's diet, as well as what items he comes into contact with. It is necessary to know exactly what medications can be used to stop allergies. To do this, you need to be examined by a veterinarian in a timely manner.

A cat has a twitching tail and skin on the back – why and what does it mean?

Owners of cats sometimes observe the following picture: the cat's tail twitches, as if it is marking territory, and the skin on its back shakes, as if it is trembling in this part of the body. This phenomenon may have physiological or pathological causes. Regardless of what caused the tail and skin twitching, the four-legged pet needs help from the owner in this situation.

The pet has fleas or other ectoparasites

If an adult cat or kitten's tail twitches, while his back skin twitches, perhaps he was overcome by ectoparasites (those that parasitize not under the skin, but on its surface): fleas, dewflies, mites. In addition to these symptoms, external parasites manifest themselves as follows:

Read also: Why cats and cats sleep a lot – all day, what to do if the animal is constantly napping?

• Bite marks on the body in the form of small red dots;
• Unbearable itching in the affected areas;
• Constant scratching in an attempt to at least somehow relieve the itching of the bites;
• bouncing black dots, grits that look like dirt;
• deterioration of the coat (loss of shine, brittleness);
• sleep disorders – because of the constant itching, the cat hardly sleeps;
• complete or partial lack of appetite;
• restlessness, lack of interest in games, apathy;
• ulceration of the affected skin, crusts;
• decrease in body weight.

When a pet is found to have ectoparasites, treatment must be started immediately. Ignoring the fact that they are parasitizing on the body of the cat is fraught with serious consequences for its health.

Why does the cat run and nervously lick itself?

Licking is a normal occurrence for cats. These clean animals are so anxious about their coat that they lick it whenever they get the chance: after eating, going to the toilet, or being touched by their owners. Moreover, when they lick their coats, they calm down. We can speak of licking as a normal behavior, but only when it is not too much. Why does a kitten or adult cat run around the house and lick nervously?

A cat is under stress.

These animals have a very vulnerable psyche. It doesn't take much for a pet to lose its equilibrium. This can happen due to a car ride, a visit to the vet, arguments in the family, a new four-legged resident in the house, moving to another room, a change of residence, etc. All cats experience stress in different ways. Some begin to run aimlessly around the apartment and fanatically lick their fur. Sometimes they do it so violently that they become completely bald in some parts of the body.

As soon as the factor that provoked the cat's emotional turmoil disappears or he gets used to the new circumstances, the cat will stop being nervous. However, cats are not always able to overcome stress on their own. Sometimes they need sedatives.

Hyperaesthesia syndrome

This rather rare disorder, which affects the skin, the neuromuscular and nervous system, is most often found in kittens. The reasons for its appearance are unknown; presumably, it is associated with a disturbance of neurotransmitters in the brain during anxiety.

Animals with this syndrome feel tension all the time and are hypersensitive to touch. Their spine and tail are the most vulnerable. They lick their fur too hard, paying special attention to the most vulnerable areas of the body, sometimes resulting in bloody wounds. Hyperesthesia syndrome can also be recognized by other symptoms: