Why do cats wag their tails? The tell-tale signs of your cat’s mood

A cat’s tail position is a feline mood barometer and it’s a useful indicator for owners to judge whether their cat wants interaction, is feeling unhappy and wants to be left alone, or is even in pain. Understanding your cat's tail language is fascinating, as there are so many reasons why cats wag their tails, depending on their situation or mood. Here we explore some of the main cat tail-wagging motivators so you can recognise what their tail is telling you, and become closer to your feline by responding to their needs accordingly.  

What does it mean when a cat wags its tail?

A cat wags its tail as a means of communication, and navigating this feline body language will help you recognise a whole host of emotions from happiness to anger and contentment to fear. Understanding why your cat wags its tail means you’ll know when to lean in with care and support versus when to stand back and give these most independent of pets some space.

Do cats wag their tail when they are happy?

Yes, cats wag their tails when they are happy; whether as a warm greeting because they are pleased you are home or they are enjoying the attention of being stroked. A happy wag of the tail is more likely to be slow and calm, with the tail held high in the air to signal confidence and contentment. 

Cats wag & flick their tails when they are unhappy

Irritation and anger are two of the emotions that your cat is likely to be feeling when their tail is held low and stiff and wagging is a sideways thrashing, a flick at the end of their tail or even a thump on the ground. If your cat displays this kind of body language when you’re petting them, it could be that your cat is wagging its tail because they are annoyed or over-stimulated and want you to stop and be left alone.

Cats wag their tails slowly when content

A soft and slow wagging is often a sign that your cat is content. The slowness means that they are at peace with the world and it’s time to chill, while the tail may also have a curved end as it gently swishes back and forth. Contentment can be the result of a delicious dinner, a pleasurable headbutt with you, or just curling up by a warm fire.    

Cats wag their tails when hunting

As consummate hunters, cats wag their tails when stalking prey as it helps them to stay balanced before they pounce. Whether it’s watching a bird in a tree or focusing on an unsuspecting mouse, tail swishing during hunting is a sign of concentration and is done quickly or even intermittently. Some believe that why cats wag their tail during hunting is because it is a way of mesmerising their prey as they hone in on their victim!

Cats wag and wrap their tails to show affection

How cats show affection for owners or even other animals in the family, includes wagging their tail, like their canine housemates. Although it is not the vigorous ‘helicopter’ motion of a dog, and often appears as a slow swish with the tail held high, it’s a sign that they feel secure. A wrapping tail movement is also a sign of feline affection and cats use their tail to envelope your arm, hand or leg in their love, often accompanying it with a warm purr.            

Cats wag their tails when playing

You may notice your cat swishing their tail (or just twitching the end of it) when they’re playing with a toy, or if you’re holding a feather for them to grab. Interaction with other cats, or even a canine member of their family, can be judged as friendly if side to side tail-swishing is evident, as it indicates that your cat is ‘play-fighting’ rather than anything more serious.

Cats wag and fluff up their tails when threatened

What does it mean when a cat wags its tail while fluffing it out to its bushiest proportions? It is the same action that many animals do when they are threatened; your cat is trying to make itself appear larger to scare predators away. Stress hormones in response to a ‘fight or flight’ situation (from a loud bang to a real danger), contracts the tail muscles, making their fur stand on end and appear twice its size. If that doesn’t frighten them off then nothing will!       

Cats wag their tails while they are dreaming

A cat that gently wags or thumps its tail while it’s asleep is likely to be dreaming of what happened that day. Perhaps they are thinking about hunting a bird, eating a delicious dinner or even being stroked by their human family. Cat behaviourists such as Dr MIkel Delgado, have revealed that like other mammals with similar brain structures, cats experience REM sleep (the deepest sleep stage) when most dreams occur, and just like us, they may be having nightmares too!   

Cats wag their tails when you talk to them

Why do cats wag their tails in response to the sound of your voice? It is not only to acknowledge your interest in them but to also demonstrate that they’re excited to be interacting with you. According to Japanese scientists Atsuko Saito and Kazutaka Shinozuka in their research paper, ‘ Vocal recognition of owners by domestic cats’ cats do recognise their owners’ voices but sometimes just choose to ignore it! Why not see if they respond when your voice is calm and soft, verses when you are reprimanding them for muddy footprints across the kitchen floor?  

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?

There are a number of reasons why your cat could wag its tail while lying down including discomfort or being in pain. Look for other signs such as restlessness or a loss of appetite and if this is the case, consult your vet. Why cats wag their tails lying down could also be because they’re afraid. A stiff, bushy and swishing tail indicates that a predator (or even the vacuum cleaner) is too close for comfort! A cat that wags and thumps a stiff tail when lying down is more likely to be annoyed. Watch out for other angry responses such as hissing and growling!     

The fascinating world of your feline certainly doesn’t end with understanding why cats wag their tails so why not learn more, such as why cats purr, and be fully in tune with your cat’s emotions?