Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails While Purring? 10 Full Reasons
Dogs are more likely than cats to wag their tails. You may have seen your cat’s tail wiggle while you pet it.
When their tails wiggle, they usually purr. What makes people act this way? What makes cats’ tails wag when they purr?
When your cat wiggles its tail and purrs while you pet it, it means it is happy. So, if your pet is purring and waving its tail, it means it feels safe and secure with you and is enjoying it.
If you see your cat doing this, you can keep doing what you’re doing because you’ve made it very happy, and cats like to be petted.
Cats wiggle their tails for more than just safety and happiness. Cats’ tails can show a lot of different emotions, from happiness to anger and even fear.
Continue reading to get answers to any other questions you might have, like how to tell what emotions a tail wag represents.
Why is my cat wagging its tail, and what does it mean?
Your cat may wag its tail in different ways to show how it feels. Here are a few ways your cat’s tail can move and what they mean:
1. Quick Flick
When your cat flicks its tail quickly, it usually means it is upset, and you should stop what you are doing or leave it alone for now.
When your cat is upset, like when there is a lot of noise or something bad going on, its tail will flick.
2. Low Wagging
Your cat is scared when its tail moves slowly and low. You might also see that their ears are pushed back because they are scared. Take away anything that is scaring your cat so that he or she can relax and be happy.
3. Swishing Slowly
When the tail moves slowly from left to right, it shows anger. This type of tail movement happens when you pet your cat or if something has made your cat angry. If your cat is moving its tail slowly, you should leave it alone so it can relax.
4. Swishing Quickly
The more fun your cat has, the faster its tail moves. If your cat’s tail is moving quickly back and forth, it means it is having fun with you.
5. Twitching Quickly
If your cat is twitching quickly, it means it is paying attention. This happens most often when your cat is “hunting” you or one of its toys.
Use a toy that makes your cat pay attention, like a laser pointer, or a toy that it has to chase, like an electric mouse, to keep it busy. Cat toys with bells inside can also do the trick.
6. Tail Wiggle
When your cat’s tail moves, it means that he or she is happy to see you. Your cat will come running up to you with its tail up and its body moving like a rattlesnake. You should be very proud of how much your cat loves you.
7. Tail Wrapping
I’m sure you’ve had times when your cat walks up to you and wraps its tail around your arm, hand, or even neck with ease.
8. Poofy Tail
When your cat’s tail hair stands up, it means they are scared. As soon as possible, get them out of the dangerous area and calm them down.
9. Sleeping Tail Twitches
The sleeping tail twitch is something that all cat owners are familiar with. It happens when you talk to or pet your cat while they are sleeping, and it means that they know you are there but feel safe enough to keep sleeping.
When this happens, you should be proud to be a cat owner because it shows that you and your cat have a strong bond.
10. Laying Down With Swaying Tail
If your cat is lying down and its tail is moving, it could mean that it is sick. If your cat stops eating and hides after this, you should make an appointment with your vet.
How Do Cats Have Control of Their Tails?
The tail move is almost automatic. Compare the way a cat’s tail moves to the way our eyes blink. We don’t even realize we’re doing it.
But when the environment changes (like when it gets drier or windier, for example), we may blink more or less without realizing it to adapt to the new conditions.
Like people, cats flick their tails out of habit, and their tail wags can look different depending on where they are.
When a cat is ready to play hunt, its buttocks will move in the air, and its tail will twitch quickly. This shows that it is focused on the object (or person) it wants to pounce on and play with.
Can Purring And Wagging Express Multiple Emotions?
Many different things could make a cat purr. Your cat will look like this:
- Happy, at ease, and helpful
- You’ve come to the right place if you want to eat or get some attention.
- They are nervous and want to take it easy.
- She is in pain and trying to heal herself by guiding her new kittens, who can’t hear yet.
Cats start purring when they are just a few days old and do it for the rest of their lives. It is used to talk to each other, keep their muscles in shape, and even help them recover from some illnesses.
This could explain why cats have “nine lives” and don’t get hurt as much as other animals when they fall from a high place. After surgery, cats have less trouble than dogs, and purring could be one reason why.
Some big cats purr, which shows that this unique cat sound has been around for a long time and has helped cats throughout history.
After we talk about why cats purr, we’ll talk about why cats wag their tails and what it means when they do both.
1. Excited And Cheerful
Most cats that just wag their tails are happy or full of energy. When they pet their cats, walk in the door, or open a can of tasty cat food, you can see this behaviour.
One of my cats doesn’t like being touched, but when he comes to sit next to me, he flicks the end of his tail to show how happy he is to be getting attention. At this point, he will also purr.
If your cat purrs and flicks its tail in this way, it’s safe to assume it’s happy or looking forward to something, depending on the situation.
2. Annoyed Angry Kitty
Most of the time, it starts slowly and picks up speed as they get more excited.
In that case, your cat is very happy and having a lot of fun. When cats are angry or upset, on the other hand, they wag their tails.
As has already been said, cats purr when they are scared. If your cat’s tail is wagging fast and you’re not playing with it, I suggest you step back and give it some space.
Even if your cat purrs, don’t misinterpret this as mixed signals.Your cat is telling you how they really feel, and if you don’t pay attention to their body language, you’ll get attacked or scratched.
If you have to do something important, like grooming, during this time, take a step back and train your cat slowly.
Maybe your cat can only be combed for a few minutes at a time. You’ll have to work with that until you earn their trust and can do longer grooming sessions.
You could also make sure you don’t catch their fur when you brush them.
Cats should and must be raised to be good citizens, just like dogs. When your pet is being good, give it lots of praise and treats, but stop when it starts to get mad at you.
Always try to end on a positive note. Don’t criticize them until they bite, because this will only teach them to be pickier next time.
3. Kind Affectionate Kitty
Have you ever been “touched” by a cat’s tail? Many of my friends do this, and I think it’s so cute!
The good news is that it’s meant to be funny. In no way are we misinterpreting what they want to do. If your cat rubs up against you, it’s because it wants to get closer to you.
Like dogs, cats have scent markers in their tails. They like to share their scent with you to make you feel like a member of the family. It’s like a kitten rubbing its cheek against yours.
This is something that cats do naturally. When they live in colonies, they will touch each other and share smells. This is how they can tell the difference between colonists and people from other places.
This also explains why cats act strangely, like going to the vet and coming back smelling different, or why other cats in the house avoid them or even attack them.
Why Does A Cat Wag And Purr At The Same Time?
People often think that a cat’s purring means it is happy, which is one of the reasons cats purr. They will also purr when they are hurt or worried about something.
When it was time to eat, my cat would start to purr like crazy.
It will take some practice to tell the difference, but a cat’s purr is always louder and faster when it is in pain than when it is happy and satisfied.
Like purring, a tail wag has two sides. Some cats, almost like dogs, wag their tails when they are happy.
If I didn’t have one of these cats, I wouldn’t believe it, but it’s true: Some cats wag their tails to show love.
If your cat is acting friendly and seems at ease, her purring and wagging tail are probably signs that she is happy.
Depending on your cat and the situation, you can swish slowly or quickly.
Watch what your girl does with her body. If her muscles get tight and her eyes get bigger, it means she is nervous.
Is It Bad if My Cat is Wagging Its Tail?
No, your cat’s wagging tail is not a terrible thing. Even though cats are easier to see than dogs, their tails also show how they feel.
Your cat’s tail can show how happy, angry, or annoyed it is, among other feelings. Keep an eye out for the various ways your cat wags to express her mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats wag their tails when happy?
People often think that cats only wag their tails when they are angry, but they can do it for a number of reasons. Contrary to what most people think, a cat’s tail can show if they are happy, scared, or playing.
Why does my cat’s tail vibrate when I pet her?
What does it mean when a cat flicks its tail while lying down?
When a dog’s tail thrashes (or whips), it shows that it is upset or excited. When a cat lies down after thrashing its tail, the tail usually makes a “thumping” sound as it hits the floor. She’s (unconsciously) telling you that you’re petting her too much right now.
Conclusion
Cats use their tails to talk to each other. To figure out how your cat feels, you’ll need to learn the different ways it wags and what each one means.
When your cat purrs and wags its tail, it means it is happy and calm, and you should keep petting it (or let it continue doing whatever it was doing).
If your cat is gently swaying from side to side and seems upset, it might be because it is. Stop doing whatever you’re doing that’s making the cat mad and leave it alone.
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