A state of extreme excitement is the main reason why your cat wags its tail like a rattle. In other words, if your cat makes very rapid movements with the tip of its tail , as if it were a rattle, it is because it feels very excited or excited about something that is happening around it. For example, when you return home after a long day at work, when you bring him a new favorite toy and invite him to play simulating a hunting context, if you prepare an exquisite home-cooked meal with his favorite ingredients, etc.

Therefore, this tail movement is usually considered very positive, as long as it manifests itself in a timely manner , as it expresses an almost euphoric state that, in a healthy cat, should appear only in certain circumstances that cause great emotion. On a day-to-day basis, when a cat is happy at home and sharing its routine with its tutors, it usually moves its entire tail (and not just the tip like a rattle) from one side to the other slowly, while keeping it in one position. intermediary, to indicate that you feel relaxed and at ease.

If your cat wags its tail like a rattle all the time or very frequently, without something specific happening to cause such arousal, this may be a symptom of anxiety that, when not promptly and adequately treated, frequently leads to a picture of anxiety. chronic stress. This is part of what we might call the «anxious cat pose,» which is also characterized by wide-open eyes with dilated pupils, ears back, and heavy breathing.

The great difficulty that we must face, as guardians, is that a cat can feel anxious for multiple reasons, ranging from changes in its environment or problems in its socialization, to illnesses and a history of physical or psychological abuse. 

In the case of a healthy cat with a balanced behavior, occasional moments of great excitement are perfectly natural and expected, so, as guardians, we do not need (and should not) do anything to prevent them from expressing themselves freely in these circumstances. But it is essential that we pay attention if our cat begins to show signs that he is anxious or stressed, because in both cases his physical and mental well-being are at risk.

To both prevent and deal with cat anxiety, which causes your cat to wag its tail like a rattle, it is important to focus on the following guidelines:

• Socialize your cat – A cat that hasn’t been properly socialized becomes much more prone to separation anxiety and other insecurity-related behavior problems. Ideally, puppy cats begin to be socialized during their first weeks of life, and preferably before they reach their second month of life, since it is during this period that the recognition of friendly species occurs. However, it is possible and extremely necessary to socialize adult cats.
• Enriches their environment : a large part of cats that suffer from stress or anxiety lead a sedentary lifestyle, since they live in an impoverished environment where they do not find resources or positive ways to expend energy, entertain themselves and exercise their body and mind. Therefore, the best way to prevent your cat from being anxious, bored or stressed is by investing in environmental enrichment.
• Avoid sudden changes : our cats are very susceptible to changes in their environment, since having their routine under control is a very important part of the self-preservation mechanisms of all felines. So, if you change your cat’s diet overnight, the location of its litter box or its rest area or, worse still, if you do not prepare it beforehand for a change of address, the chances are that your cat You are going to feel very stressed and, consequently, your behavior changes negatively. Therefore, whenever you have to modify something in your cat’s routine, follow a slow and gradual logic to give it the opportunity to gradually get used to its new reality. Also, if you are planning a home move, 
• Dedicate time to your cat : your affection, your care and your company are also key resources for your cat’s cognitive and emotional health. So, don’t stop reserving some time in each of your days to play with your cat, surprise him with toys and games that test his instincts and motivate him to work on his intelligence, and learn more about the language and communication of cats. cats to avoid misunderstandings and strengthen the bond with your partner.

Last but not least, we want to invite you to learn about some good practices and natural remedies to relax a stressed cat . Even so, you have to keep in mind that the most important thing is to identify the source of the stress and seek professional help from a veterinarian (even better from an ethologist veterinarian) both to rule out any pathological cause and to ensure that treatment is compatible with the needs. of your pussy This is all for today, until next time!