
You may want to take your cat to the vet to get a checkup and make sure everything is okay. This isn’t easy to detect, so look for other signs like unusual aggression or hiding, appetite changes, or restlessness. If your cat is wagging its tail out of nowhere, more as an involuntary reflex than a deliberate attempt to communicate, it may be in pain. Because of this, they tend to hide their pain and discomfort to avoid looking weak and drawing the attention of larger animals. Image Credit: Stokkete, ShutterstockĬats are predators, but they’re also threatened by larger animals like dogs, coyotes, and birds of prey. Your cat may just stay in that position and never actually pounce, but it’s an opportunity to break out the cat toys and spend some time together. In some cases, cats will “chatter” when they’re playful or wiggle their hind end. Like dogs, cats get in a playful “pounce” position. If a cat is wagging its tail while lying on its stomach, it’s a signal that they’re about to pounce. Swishing their tail is a good way to communicate their frustration and release some pent-up energy, especially if it’s combined with restlessness or subtle grunts or moans. If you attempt to pet your cat right then, your attention may be met with a scratch or your cat abruptly leaving the room.Ĭats can feel frustrated for a lot of different reasons, such as being woken up, being bothered, or simply having a bad day. If a cat is lying down and swishing its tail in wide arches, it could be a sign of frustration. Sometimes, your cat is just happy to be lazy and relaxed but doesn’t feel social. That said, a wagging tail doesn’t always mean your cat wants you to come over and pet it. If they’re thumping their tail while you’re petting them, it’s a sign that they enjoy your company and affection. When cats thump their tail on the floor or couch while lying down, it could mean they’re relaxed and content. The 5 Possible Reasons Cats Wag Their Tails While Lying Down 1.
Cat moods based on tail free#
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Read on while we break things down to help you understand your feline better. So, there’s no simple explanation for why a cat may wag its tail while lying down, but there are some possibilities.

Cats also communicate different emotions depending on which part of their tail is moving, and how it’s moving.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down? Unlike dogs, cats wagging their tail can mean a lot of different things, both positive and negative. Cats can readily vary these sounds, thus seeming to talk. Cats aren’t always as obvious about their moods and feelings as dogs, but they have many ways of communicating with their behavior. The basic cat sounds are purring, meows and hisses. For some people, cats can be difficult to understand.
