Understanding Your Cat’s Tail Wag: What It Really Means

When a dog wags its tail in that familiar broad stroked side to side manner, it means the dog is happy and content. When a cat wags its tail it does not mean the same thing at all. A cat wagging its tail is usually a sign of some level of predatory indecision or conflict. A classic example is a cat that is hunting, stalking or tracking something. The cat may be perfectly still, except for its tail which flits from side to side. In this instance, the cat is deciding if and when it should pounce or chase its prey. Cats might also do this when they are playing/fighting with one another and this often happens between two dominant male cats. Once in a while you may notice the cat’s tail is still, but only the tip flutters. This is to be interpreted as a milder form of internal conflict.

Sometimes a cat’s tail might start to flutter while you are petting it. This petting aggression again signals a predatory indecision on the part of the cat. You must stop petting immediately, or you may well get swatted or bitten.

Cats may wag their tails when they sleep. This usually indicates that they are resting contentedly but still alert.