Does anyone know why cats vibrate or shake their tails really fast?

Answer 1

Actually it depends on what they're doing at the time. If they are doing it when they come toward you or while you're petting them and they look happy (with their eyes kind of half closed or purring) it's most likely doing it because they are really happy and excited. If they flick their tail looking at something really intently, they want to pounce or are on the defensive. If they are male and just do it all of the time (away from you) they are probably spraying. If the cat does it while relaxing AND looking bored or annoyed, your cat might be agitated, but again, this would not be a common occurance. They also do it when they are frightened (like after a really bad fight, too-but usually when you come to give them comfort-so again, this can also mean excitment at seeing you) but you said that the cat does this all of the time, and the cat can't be frightened, annoyed, or defensive all of the time, so I believe you are actually seeing your cat very happy to see you. All three of my cats do the rattling tail thing when I pet them and come in the door. It is rather cute. They do it differently. One uses the tip of her tail, the other kind of wags her whole tail, and the other one kind of twitches the base of her tail. I hope that helps answer your question. I'm sorry it's so long.

Answer 2

Cat Tail Shaking

Answer 3

Cat Shaking Tail

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Does anyone know why cats vibrate or shake their tails really fast?

Answer 5

Reading all the answers here, there appear to be a variety of reasons. My female does this, the male never does, and invariably it s a sign of happy excitement. She particularly loves it when they re playing on the roof area and I join them up there. Favourite place and... well, let s forego the modesty here, favourite person. The combination seems to send her into something of a trance. If she s particularly overjoyed, then she ll also pace with her back paws while she s doing it.

She s neutered, and there s never any trace of spray. I d have noticed by now from her doing it in the house. Also, she didn t do it for the first year or so of her life, or not that I can recall. It s the entire tail, not just the tip, and when she does it her tail is ramrod stiff and vertical. To stroke it and hit it is like karate on a length of iron piping.

For her, at least, it is the ultimate show of happiness.

Answer 6

My cat does it when she's feeling fiesty...like right before she pounces my feet or if I'm annoying her by getting in her space. It's a real indicator of her attitude.

I'll swat her for getting on the table or something and she'll sit their shaking her tail real fast plotting her revenge. Sometimes if I just hold her tail still and tell her to loose the attitude she'll calm down. It's hilarious!

Answer 7

Cats 'vibrate' when marking territory - spayed cats can also 'dry' spray.

Spayed male cats urine doesn't smell.

They swish their tales as a sign of annoyance or anger.

If the tip of the tail 'trembles', it's quite often a sign of being 'unsure' about something.

Answer 8

I know their tails can twitch really fast when they're stalking prey. It's almost as if they're trying so hard to keep their bodies still, the energy has to go somewhere, so it escapes through the end of the tail, lol. It's cute. Unless, as was mentioned previously, the cat is getting ready to spray. Then it's NOT so cute.

Answer 9

well if it's vibrating and making a sounds means she's happy and purring ... tail shaking jumping fuzzing up and making weird noise means it's frightened or angry at something .. annoyed or even a Storm is coming on they are very sensitive creatures

Answer 10

Usually thats because the cats are upset or they are trying to catch something and is getting ready to pounce. I have 2 cats and im fostering another 3. And that is usually why the tails shake like that.