Cats wiggling their butts is not an act of affection but rather a sign that they are preparing a significant move. Whenever I see such videos, I can’t help but watch them over and over again, dozens of times. However, did you know? The meaning of a cat wiggling its butt is completely opposite to that of a human. While a human wiggling their butt appears seductive and sexy, a cat doing so is preparing to launch an attack. If your cat wiggling its butt at you, it’s best to run away quickly; otherwise, you might get bitten in the next second.
In the wild, cats will always crouch low before hunting, wiggle their butts, and then spring forward to deliver a fatal blow to their prey. The purpose of wiggling their butts is to prepare for leg movement, pressing their hind legs firmly against the ground to gain maximum friction, helping the cat find a balanced point from which to exert force and spring forward with the greatest power.
When cats stroll leisurely, their front and hind legs move alternately, with their hind feet landing steadily in the prints of their front feet. This gait is known as the “catwalk.” However, the situation is quite different during hunting. Cats need both hind legs to exert force simultaneously when they quickly spring and pounce on their prey. The action of wiggling their hips helps adjust the final direction of force from the hind legs, similar to an athlete’s preparatory movement before running.
Feline behaviorists believe that the action of cats wiggling their butts is also a manifestation of their excitement. When cats spot their prey, their brains release dopamine, establishing a reward mechanism that motivates them to dilate their pupils and crouch down. This is similar to the human response of dilating pupils and drooling from the mouth when seeing something beautiful.
At this point, someone might ask: “Do large cats like the ‘Northeastern Golden Tabby’also wiggle their butts?” In fact, not quite. Most feline animals, including lions and tigers, exhibit this behavior before hunting. However, while small cats wiggling their butts appear very cute, when large cats do so, you should run for your life!
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/cats-wiggle-butts-prelude-attack-sign-affection
