Happy? Angry? What does a cat wags tail mean?
You could not be reading the signals correctly. Upset?
Like dogs, cats also utilize their tails to communicate with their human friends and other cats. But it can be difficult to interpret what a cat’s tail position signifies. What does a cat’s tail wag indicate, for example—is it happy or angry? Is it possible to decipher cat “tail language” when they wag their tails?
If you’re curious about your cat’s behavior, here are a few of the signals he’s trying to tell you by waving his tail in various directions.
Tail thumps could signify annoyance
A cat may wag his tail to show that he isn’t happy with the situation as it is. The wag of your cat’s tail could be a sign that it is losing patience.
Particularly pounding the tail might be a cue to back off. As a result, if your cat is being patted and his tail begins to beat steadily, he may be attempting to inform you that he doesn’t want to be handled for too long. Look at his face and the rest of his body, especially his ears, to determine whether he is irritated or not.
Even while cats are incredibly affectionate and friendly, they also have boundaries, so lavishing them with attention can make them feel overwhelmed. It’s generally a good idea to stop petting your cat if he starts beating his tail or displaying other signs of stress.
Flipping the Tail Might Indicate Anger
Your cat may not be happy and may turn violent if he holds his tail down while persistently extending it away from the body and flicking it side to side.
You may have witnessed this type of tail wagging while visiting the veterinarian’s office. Some cats may flick their tails on the exam table to convey to everyone that they want to go home.
When compared to a subject who is at ease and taking everything in, Even though his tail may still be down in this situation, it will move from side to side less rigidly and forcefully.
An Upright Tail Could Indicate Several Things
If your cat is maintaining his tail erect and upright, he may be in a lively mood. In circumstances like this, the animal is seeking interaction, hence a greeting would often consist of movements to the side.
The cat may be spraying to mark its territory if it is backing up against a piece of furniture or a wall and has an upright, quivering tail. However, cats may do this without spraying in order to get your attention. They can also be trying to claim territory by appearing to spray.
Furthermore, if your cat’s tail is erect yet concave, it may be acting defensively and perhaps becoming violently protective. He genuinely doesn’t want to speak to you, in other words.
A puffed tail or a tail between the legs is a sign of fear
Cats will drop their tails between their knees to indicate fear or submission, just like dogs do. Reducing or eliminating the stressor is the best line of action if your cat is anxious and not purring. Additionally, make an effort to reassure and calm your cat.
In addition, when your cat is terrified, he can arch his back or wag his tail, and it might take him a while to get back to normal after the stressor has passed.
Find a happy ending
If your cat is wagging its tail high and softly at the end, it is content, hungry for attention, and playful.
This isn’t like your cat’s tail, which may quiver when he’s on the hunt, eager to catch his prey, or impatient because he can’t get to the tasty-looking birds outside the window.
Consider the body as a whole.
Even though your cat’s tail may provide you a lot of information about his mental condition, you shouldn’t rely solely on it to determine how your pet is feeling.
Pay attention to his eyes, ears, and general posture to completely comprehend what he’s saying and cat body language. Being familiar with your cat’s distinctive behavior is the quickest and easiest way to figure out what your cat is trying to tell you with its tail waving.
