{"id":224,"date":"2021-10-24T16:01:01","date_gmt":"2021-10-24T16:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybusycat.com\/?p=224"},"modified":"2021-10-24T16:01:41","modified_gmt":"2021-10-24T16:01:41","slug":"why-do-cats-thump-their-tails-when-lying-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybusycat.com\/why-do-cats-thump-their-tails-when-lying-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do cats thump their tails when lying down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thumping is a form of feline body language. Cats have scent glands throughout their bodies. When they are content, their tails thump in places where it would be impossible to leave any evidence of the scent gland’s presence. Putting the tail down sweeps the ground clear of their scent so that when other cats come sniffing around later, they can tell who was there and what they were doing at that exact spot without getting too close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A couple of reasons why cats thump their tails when lying down or twitching tail:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Feeling frustrated<\/li>
  2. They have pain or feeling unwell<\/li>
  3. They are going to sleep<\/li>
  4. They are relaxing<\/li>
  5. The cat feels threatened<\/li>
  6. They are actually saying hello \ud83d\ude42<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Thumping also helps to spread your cat’s scent around – this way other cats can mark objects or territory with your cat’s pungent aroma. By using its tail as a brush, your cat is literally marking its territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Purring is generally associated with contentment, but cats make different purring sounds for different purposes. The purr of delight is a cross between the fully-voiced purr and a chirp or trill; although your cat’s mouth is closed, the vibration makes its vocal cords flutter to create an unusual sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The meaning behind this behavior seems straightforward: you’re petting me, and I’m enjoying it! But cats may also use this sound when they are in physical discomfort because the vibrations soothe them. A purring cat may be fine and dandy while she’s cuddling on your lap but her tail thumping doesn’t mean she wants you to pat her back if she suddenly decides that her lower backaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cats communicate by doing things like facial expressions, postures, and vocalizations, and we try to emulate them by doing things like purring and trilling. But your cat isn’t trying to copy you. She’s trying to communicate with you and she’s using her own language!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why do cats flick their tails when lying down?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cats will flick their tails when they see something off in the distance (like a bird crossing the sky). They’ll even flick their tail to communicate with you, like when your cat turns her head and gives you that “you’re bothering me” look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But when your cat lies down and starts flicking her tail from side to side, it means someone is making her nervous or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why do cats thump their tails?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cats will also flick their tails from side to side when they are lying down – usually before a quick pounce on insect prey. This is a hunting behavior that has been retained in play as well as the more serious stalking behavior. Thumping tends to happen more frequently with younger cats who have had less time to learn proper pouncing technique, but even older cats may cease all normal movement for a brief moment as they focus on some object of interest and then suddenly burst into action as they go through the final stages of preparation for a pounce. Cats often pounce on inanimate objects. They might pick up, chew or work on a toy for an extended time as if it were a bird they are about to eat, and then run around with it in their mouth as they prepare to pounce. Thumping may also occur after the cat has seen its prey but doesn’t want to attack or play with whatever is going by – for example, a bug crawling up the wall. In this case, thumping serves as a warning to the insect that there’s a predator around who isn’t afraid of snagging something much bigger than itself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When your kitty is lying down and the cat’s tail flicks from side to side rapidly, she’s not being spastic! She’s giving herself a quick once-over to make sure she’s still in one piece. She may also be giving herself a physical once-over if there are insects around (like so many cats), who knows? But the bottom line is it means she’s all right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When your kitty is lying down and the cat’s tail flicks from side to side rapidly, she’s not being spastic! She’s giving herself a quick once-over to make sure she’s still in one piece. She may also be giving herself a physical once-over if there are insects around (like so many cats), who knows? But the bottom line is it means she’s all right.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Thumping is a form of feline body language. Cats have scent glands throughout their bodies. When they are content, their tails thump in places where it would be impossible to leave any evidence of the scent gland’s presence. 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