what does it really mean when a cat wags its tail?

Question

As from being a child my family always told me that when they did this it meant they were not happy with something but our cat does it quite alot and seems happy enough,even purrs at the same time so what is the true meaning of this?

Answer 1

Kitties wag, swish, or slap their tails on the floor, for different reasons.

1 Wag, to show their happy, glad, or content.

2. Swish, to show hunger, anticipation, or excitement.

3. Slapping, to show anger, spite, or disgust.

Those are just some, of the things, they show you using their tails

Answer 2

a million. Tail curves gently down and then up lower back on the end. Cat is comfortable and all is properly in his international. 2. Tail somewhat raised with a delicate curve. some thing has peaked the cat's pastime. 3. Tail is held erect notwithstanding the end is tilted over. Cat is in a delightful mood with mild reservations. 4. Tail totally erect with the end stiffly vertical. that is a wholehearted greeting without reservations. that is a carry-over from the kitten level at the same time as greeting mom and captivating her to benefit the kitten's rear end. 5. Tail totally decreased and probable tucked between hind legs. Cat is showing defeat and its lowly social status. 6. Tail decreased and fluffed out. Cat is showing energetic worry. 7. Tail swishing violently from area to area. Cat isn't wagging its tail in excitement. often signifies that the cat is about to attack. 8. Tail held nonetheless, notwithstanding the end is twitching. gentle inflammation. If the twitching will improve a swipe from a paw will be impending. 9. Tail is held erect and the finished length is quivering. delicate quivering will be considered after a cat has been greeted by technique of its human companion. similar action will be talked about at the same time as urine spraying is taking position outdoors. The gesture seems to have a which technique of inner most identity...certain, that is me. 10. Tail held to at least one area. Sexual invitation of a lady cat in warmth. signal to the male that he can mount without being attacked. 11. Tail held instantly and totally bristled. signal of an aggressive cat. 12. Tail arched and bristled. A protecting stance which will aspect out cat will attack if provoked further. Bristling fur makes the cat seem larger and would deter the enemy.

Answer 3

Not true, cats loosley and slowly wag their tail they are content.

When they are unhappy, their tail goes strait up and is straight and rigid and is waved in sharp, quick jerky manner. The fur along their body also stands out a little because the muscles are tensing for either fight or flight, stretching the skin and makes the fur stand up straighter.

Tail wagging bent: happy cat. Tail rigid and straight wagging or not, unhappy cat

Answer 4

It is a sign of excitement which can be both good and bad. If you know your cat then you can read the other signs it is giving off and know whether to handle the cat or not. but generally it is a sign to be careful, because even a happy cat can scratch you in an excited state because that is how they play with other cats.

Answer 5

I believe it means they are irritated. Actually they don't wag, it is more like a twitching movement. Only Dogs really wag. On a dog if the tail wags up and down it means it's a city dog, if it wags back and forth sideways, it means it's a country dog.

Answer 6

as an ex vet assistane mostly a cat wags its tail involintarily. but when they walk its most for balance. In school we studied the diffrences between a cat with no tail and a cat with a tail. The cat with no tail, when it was walking had the tail held out for balance, but when we colapsed the tail it had a tendency to fall over.

Answer 7

I also thought that unlike a dog, when a cat wags its tail, it's a sign that it is not happy with something.

Answer 8

Tail wagging is a mixed signal even if the cat is purring. Mainly the cat is happy, but if he is growling and wagging...

keep your distance.

Answer 9

They might purr, but it is there way of saying PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.It is very true that a cat is not very happy when there tails wag alot,quite the opposite to a dog.

Answer 10

As far as my cat, Luey:

1.) Tip of tail waving from side to side= hunting happily for food.

2.) Flapping from up to down onto a surface= irritated with someone or something.

3.) Whole tail waving from one side to the other= looking for a mate; or in need of mating.

4.) In crouched position w/ tail excitedly waving from side to side= about to pounce for object of desiring.

Hope this answers your question.