What does it mean when a cat wags its tail?

There are many meanings behind a cat wagging its tail, conveying different emotions. If the tail is gently wagged, it means the cat is relatively happy and possibly expressing affection towards its owner, or showing curiosity towards something moving in front of it. However, if the tail is wagged大幅度from side to side, it indicates that the cat is angry. It's best not to touch the cat directly at this point, as it may get scratched or clawed. Instead, wait for the cat to calm down before showing affection. Lastly, if the cat randomly wags its tail, it usually means it's impatient. This usually happens after the cat is suddenly disturbed or scolded, indicating for the owner to leave it alone.

Since cats can't speak, their psychological activities are usually expressed through physical movements. The act of a cat wagging its tail holds many meanings, such as happiness, relaxation, anger, and more. Owners can carefully observe the cat's tail movement to determine its mood based on the following examples.

Gently wagging

If the cat's tail is gently wagged, it means it's relatively happy and relaxed. Sometimes, when the cat wants to show intimacy or ingratiate itself with the owner, it will gently wag its tail, walk to the owner's feet, and touch them with its fluffy tail. At this point, the owner can comfort the cat and show appreciation to strengthen the bond between them. Additionally, when the cat is lying somewhere resting, it will also gently wag its tail, indicating that it's comfortable and relaxed.

If the cat is lying on the ground and wagging its tail gently, it may be because there are moving objects on the ground, such as insects or toy balls. The cat may also wag its tail when it's curious about something.

Large amplitude wagging

If the cat's tail is大幅度ly wagged from side to side, sounding like it's knocking something, it indicates that the cat is in a state of unease, anxiety, or anger, and is ready to attack at any moment. This could be due to suddenly seeing a foreign animal or the owner doing something uncomfortable. It's best not to approach the cat forcefully at this point, as it may get scratched or clawed. Instead, wait for it to calm down before using food or toys to console it.

Randomly wagging

If the cat's tail is continuously wagged randomly, without a fixed direction or frequency, it means the cat is impatient. For example, when the cat is comfortably lying on the ground and the owner suddenly runs over to touch it, the cat may suddenly wag its tail, indicating that it wants to be left alone. Additionally, some cats will also wag their tails continuously after being scolded by their owners, expressing their impatience.