Why do cats wag their tails? What does it mean when a cat wags its tail? Well, when a cat waves his tail, they are sending a strong message. We’re going to help you understand cat tail language. Cats like to communicate with each other and with people using body language. And a cat’s tail has a language all of its own! From waving or wagging their tails from side to side, or raising them high in the air, cats are sending signals to anyone who is watching.
Contents
- How do cats use their tails?
- Why do cats wag their tails?
- Happy cat tail language
- Violent tail lashes
- Cat body language
Cats use their tails to tell those around them how they are feeling — just like dogs do! But cat tail messages are often different from those of dogs. And their meaning is not always clear. Understanding the signals cats give us helps to improve the way we get along.
What Are Cats Tails For?
To answer – why do cats wag their tails – we need to see what they’re used for! Many animals have long tails. Some use their tails for swishing away insects, some for balance, while some even have tails that can grip and hold on. Tails also have an important social function too, and we’ll look at that in moment..
Every mammal’s tail is an extension of their spine. Tails consist of a long column of tiny bones called vertebrae. A cat has around twenty of these bones inside his furry tail.
Cats are masters of climbing and walking along impossibly narrow fence tops and branches. And like kangaroos, monkeys and many other animals, cats use their tails to help them balance. The way the tail bones are connected and the structure of the muscles that wrap around them are what gives the tail its ability to bend and curve.
But your cat’s tail isn’t just for balancing. It has another purpose. It enables your the cat to communicate with other cats and people in a very useful manner.
Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails?
So why do cats wag their tails? Different types of tail signals in cats mean different things. Here are some of the ways in which your cat’s tail can communicate how they feel.
- Wagging or lashing tail
- Bottle brush tail
- Relaxed twitch
- Predatory twitch
- Wrapped tail
- Vertical tail
- Quivering tail
- Cat swishing tail
Lashing Tail Wag
Why do cats wag their tails hard from side to side? A cat who is wagging their tail fast and hard, lashing it from side to side, is sending a clear signal.
It is the nearest approximation to the way in which a dog wags their tail. But it the meaning of the wagging tail in cats could not be more different.
What Does It Mean When a Cat Wags Its Tail Violently?
As a general rule, the harder a cat wags his tail, the more upset they are. Violent tail lashing is a clear warning of impending aggression from a cat. Cats tend to assume that everyone knows what this means.
They use this warning system in their interactions with other cats, other pets such as dogs, and even with people. Anyone interacting with a cat needs to be able to read this important signal.
It means “back off now or face the consequences.” If you persist in trying to handle a cat in this state, you are highly likely to be bitten or scratched.
Other Signs of Cat Aggression
Like dogs, cats will often give a low warning growl before they attack. Typically, the lashing tail may precede or accompany this.
Bottle Brush Tail
An angry, or frightened cat may also flatten their ears. And fluff up their tail so that it resembles a bottle brush. If the threat doesn’t go away, they may throw a few angry “spits” into the mix. A cat spitting sounds a bit like a small explosion and just like tail lashing is a sign they may be about to bite or scratch.
So, if a wagging tail lashing from side to side means a cat wants you to back off, what does the tail do when they are pleased to see you?
Your Cat’s Happy Tail Is Vertical
The cat who is pleased to see you carries their tail high in the air. It may go straight up, pointing at the ceiling, or it might turn over at the tip
When you come home from work in the evening, the chances are your cat will greet you by twining himself around your legs with his tail held high in the air. Feel free to pet your kitty and give it some warm cuddles at this point — while it still likes you.
Twitching Tail
Why do cats wag their tails when hunting? Cats are skilled predators. If you watch your cat stalking a bird or insect, or playing with a toy, you’ll see the predatory tail twitch.
Unlike the fully wagging tail, the twitch doesn’t involve the whole tail, just the upper part of it The cat will often twitch the tip of his tail just before he pounces.
The purpose of the twitch may lie in mesmerizing prey or in attracting the prey’s attention to encourage movement. Then the cat can target his strike more accurately. Still, this may happen at other times. For example, sometimes a relaxed cat will gently twitch his tail when looking out of the window or watching something going on around him.
A Cat’s Wrapped Tail
A cat may wrap his tail around him when sleeping. This usually signifies a relaxed and contented cat. It may even help your cat keep himself snug and warm
Some cats wrap their tails around your limbs when greeting you or being carried. This too signifies contentment and affection.
A Cat’s Quivering Tail
The cat who is backing up, with his bottom in the air and a strongly quivering tail is about to spray urine. But if your cat is moving towards you tail held high and quivering very gently, you don’t need to panic. This is just an extra-friendly greeting.
Cat Swishing Tail
Many cat-owners who wonder “what does it mean when a cat wags its tail?” do so because they’ve seen a cat swishing tail when lying on the floor. This is fairly common. Generally, it happens when you’re playing with your cat and they’re trying to pounce on something. This could be a toy or your hand.
Cats could also swish their tails slowly when they sleep or while relaxing. This is generally a reflection of a good mood and means your cat is ready to chill or play.
Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails?
So what does it mean when a cat wags its tail? Your cat’s tail is an excellent barometer of how much they are enjoying the attention they are getting. It tells you when they are pleased to see you and when they are feeling irritable.
Understanding cat tail language and cat body language, in general, can be useful. It helps small children learn when a cat is ready to be petted and when he wants to be left alone. Plus, it helps all of us to get along better with our beautiful four-legged friends.
How about you? When does your cat wag his or her tail? Do they have any other ways of showing their displeasure?
that was interesting to know about cats wagging tails.
My cat climbs up in my lap at night while I am watching TV. She invariably has her tail held high shaped like a question mark. I tell her she can sit with me but put the question mark down.. as it shields me from the TV… Cats are so remarkable creatures.. I have always loved them a lot ..and each cat has a different personality….
They are amazing creatures aren’t they! 🙂
My cat is 11mos. Old and am uncertain what a vertical swaying back n forth means. The movement seems so calculated and like she’s thinking about something. It doesn’t appear very playful. She’s been to the vet recently due to infection from a cat/animal bite and started this tail movement moreso thereafter.
What does t mean when they swipe at you when you go to bed.
I’m a lifelong cat-lover and owner. I’m in my 50s, so I’ve shared my life with a bunch of cats over the years. I currently have one cat who must have misunderstood his mommy’s teachings about the meaning of when cats wag their tails, or maybe he was raised with dogs. (I don’t know, because I adopted him as an adult cat from a shelter.) In my Monster’s case, his tail wagging is just like that of a dog. It means he’s excited and happy to see me. To all the other cats I’ve ever had, it means they’re ticked off big time.
We adopted our cat from a dog shelter when he was 4 months old. He also wags his tail from side to side while sometimes smacking the floor with it when he’s feeling very happy and sassy at the same time. But there is a difference in the sideways wag when he’s angry which I’m sure you recognize. His sign of great affection is the upward questionmark, wide swirling wags and as he gets closer, holding his tail straight up while twitching the end. He communicates very well using his paws too. He lays close enough to have a paw touching as a sign of love, scratches with one pay on what he wants at treat time, and frowns when I ignore his begging. Cats are wonderful creatures and great companions. They’re all uniquely beautiful. My cat teaches me something new all the time and has me well trained.
My Cat does this too! She greets me as if she was a dog with her tail wagging wildly. It’s certainly a friendly, happy sign in her. I have 4 others though where it means the complete opposite!
I have noticed that when my cat is relaxed and enjoying me petting her, she will entwine her tail around my petting arm and slide it around, caressing it. When I let my hand lie after having petted her, she will use about 4 inches of the tip of her tail to caress my hand or just gently raise and lower it onto my hand, as if she were petting me! I believe she is!
I agree wholeheartedly! I am fortunate enough to have the son of a dearly departed cat. He and his son do the same thing as was mentioned above he pets me with his tail-and on a really good day, he strokes me with the tip of it! So precious, and loved!
I can tell when my cat is angry. His pupils dilate and I know instantly to back off! Had too many scratches over the years and learned the hard way! Even now, some of his body language is confusing, but he’s usually a happy bunny!
My torti Lucy is around 3 1/2 years old now, but I had her spayed when she was maybe 4 months old. As far as I can tell, she has never sprayed in her sweet little life. But I do let her go outside to get fresh air & play in the grass. When I go out to bring her back inside for the day she will sometimes lift her tail up at the fence or against the house wall & do the cat spray motion with her tail. It’s weird, as I didn’t think girl cats sprayed. I can’t detect a urine smell from her, but I do smell it when a neighbor cat comes by and sprays over here. The first thing she does when I let her out the next day is sniff around. When she makes her icky face I hose that area down (she loves running water) & when everything is clean enough for her Majesty she will happily run around with her tail proudly straight up.
Unspayed female cats will spray, but it is less common in spayed females. 🙂
I have a spayed female who is at least part Bengal, and she sprays, but only in her litter box.
Interesting – and good that she doesn’t do it anywhere inappropriate 🙂
Am glad upright tail means she’s happy. I wasn’t sure, Fifi’s tail is up most of the time.
I looked for an answer or comment on this. My cat will often take her paw and pet my face. I think she is telling me she loves me. She is a shelter cat. Nine years old. I’ve had her eleven months. I find it endearing.
My kitten does this too, and so gently, it’s very sweet 🙂
Aww my Lola does exactly the same – it is so endearing…and to think that some people assume cats are cold and aloof.
My Ginger boy drools when he is content and his tail is very expressive and he loves flicking the tip when having his snuggle
My 8 month old spayed female tabby kitty swipes my face gently while purring to wake me up at 6, or 5 or 4am- so I can freshen her food bowl. I’ve tried petting her, made sure litter is clean, but the only way she will stop petting my face with the urgent purr is for me to freshen her food bowl. She has me so well trained!
My rescue kitty willow wags her tail all the time whether purring or whatever. I can’t tell what’s going on with her.
Some cats are quite hard to read aren’t they!
My two cats are 8 and 12 years old respectively. Yet when I pet them they do flick their tails but they also reach out with their claws as if they are trying to kneed. Is that normal? Both are spayed/neutered.
Observing my 17 year old cat’s body language over the years, all of the above applies, BUT I am constantly amazed at the absolute prescision engineering of their bodies! And the amazing brain calculations (done at lightning speed) needed to spring to different levels with absolute total accuracy!!
And she communicates her different needs via different sounds for each one. I’ve learned to interpret them over the years! So I know when her bowl is empty, when she needs to go out, when she needs a fuss, when she is grumpy etc.
Amazing, precision built animals!!
I have 3 cats, one which is all white. If i am not paying attention to her she will sit behind me and pat the back of my arm to get my attention. She will do this several times until i tell her to come sit on my lap. My other cat seems to know what I’m saying. If i asked her if she wants food and water she gets excited looks at me and meows till i get up to feed her. They are beautiful animals.