{"id":2981,"date":"2023-01-25T12:47:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T12:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/?p=2981"},"modified":"2023-01-25T12:47:42","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T12:47:42","slug":"why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Cats Wiggle Before Pouncing?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#What_Is_the_Cat_Butt_Wiggle\" title=\"What Is the Cat Butt Wiggle?\">What Is the Cat Butt Wiggle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#What_Purpose_Does_It_Serve\" title=\"What Purpose Does It Serve?\">What Purpose Does It Serve?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#The_Physics_Behind_Cat_Butt_Wiggling\" title=\"The Physics Behind Cat Butt Wiggling\">The Physics Behind Cat Butt Wiggling<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#What_Causes_the_Cat_Butt_Wiggle\" title=\"What Causes the Cat Butt Wiggle?\">What Causes the Cat Butt Wiggle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#Excitement_as_a_Factor_in_Butt-Wiggling\" title=\"Excitement as a Factor in Butt-Wiggling\">Excitement as a Factor in Butt-Wiggling<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#Checking_Balance_and_the_Ground_Beneath\" title=\"Checking Balance and the Ground Beneath\">Checking Balance and the Ground Beneath<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#Why_Does_My_Cat_Wiggle_Her_Butt_During_Playtime\" title=\"Why Does My Cat Wiggle Her Butt During Playtime?\">Why Does My Cat Wiggle Her Butt During Playtime?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-wiggle-before-pouncing\/#Tips_to_Help_Your_Cat_Keep_Their_Balance_and_Improve_Their_Jumping_Ability\" title=\"Tips to Help Your Cat Keep Their Balance and Improve Their Jumping Ability\">Tips to Help Your Cat Keep Their Balance and Improve Their Jumping Ability<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Cats wiggle their butts before pouncing for a variety of reasons. Wiggling helps cats press their hind legs into the ground for better traction. Additionally, excitement may be a factor as cats enjoy hunting and the wiggling may be a way of letting off excess energy before the pounce. The wiggling also helps cats line up for the perfect attack, allowing them to crouch down and press their paws into the ground for maximum traction. The wiggling may also help cats wind up their bodies for the pounce, as well as check their balance and the ground beneath them. On top of all this, <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-like-to-play-with-a-ball-of-yarn\/\">cats are also subconsciously toning their muscles while they play<\/a> and practice their pouncing skills.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whatisthecatbuttwiggle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Cat_Butt_Wiggle\"><\/span>What Is the Cat Butt Wiggle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What is the <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-raise-their-butts-at-you\/\">Cat Butt<\/a> Wiggle? It\u2019s a behavior cats display when they\u2019re about to pounce on something. The cat starts by standing still, then wiggles its butt and hind legs simultaneously in a circular motion, like a twerk. This movement is not exclusive to big cats either, as domestic cats have been known to do the same thing. One expert theorizes that this action helps cats wind up their bodies and lines up for the perfect pounce. By wiggling their butts before pouncing, cats activate the maximum number of fibers and get more power in that pounce. Besides being cute, the <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-lick-their-butt\/\">cat butt<\/a> wiggle has a purpose.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whatpurposedoesitserve\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Purpose_Does_It_Serve\"><\/span>What Purpose Does It Serve?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The purpose behind the cat butt wiggle is still up for debate, but there are some theories as to why cats do it. Butt-wiggling may help press the hindlimbs into the ground to <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/can-cats-eat-vaseline\/\">give cats<\/a> added friction (traction) for pushing them off and into action. It may also have a sensory role to prepare the vision, proprioception (an awareness of one\u2019s position and movement) and muscles. Pouncing into action takes a lot of strength and agility, and cats make it look easy, but there\u2019s a good amount of muscle that goes into it. Butt wiggling in cats is both learned and innate; when kittens and grown cats play, they\u2019re subconsciously toning their muscles and practicing how to balance themselves for a successful pounce.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"thephysicsbehindcatbuttwiggling\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Physics_Behind_Cat_Butt_Wiggling\"><\/span>The Physics Behind Cat Butt Wiggling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The physics behind cat butt wiggling is quite interesting. Butt-wiggling could help <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-does-my-cat-sleep-pressed-up-against-me\/\">press the hindlimbs into the ground to give cats<\/a> added friction (traction) for pushing off for their pounce. This means that by wiggling their butts before pouncing, cats activate the maximum number of muscle fibers and get more power in that pounce. This wiggling is also thought to help wind up their bodies for a powerful pounce, and check their balance and the ground beneath them. With all these advantages, it\u2019s no wonder why cats are so graceful and powerful jumpers!<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whatcausesthecatbuttwiggle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Causes_the_Cat_Butt_Wiggle\"><\/span>What Causes the Cat Butt Wiggle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When cats are preparing to pounce, they engage in what we know as the \u201ccat butt wiggle\u201d. But what causes this weird behavior? It turns out that it\u2019s a combination of learned behavior and instinct. <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-bring-you-their-kittens\/\">Kittens learn this move from their mothers and older cats<\/a>, and it becomes ingrained in them as they grow. At the same time, <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/cats-watermelon\/\">cats also instinctively know<\/a> that wiggling their butts helps them get into position and brace themselves before they attack. It helps press the hindlimbs into the ground for added traction, and it helps them line up for the perfect pounce. Excitement could also be a factor, as cats enjoy hunting, and wiggling may be their way of letting off some of that extra energy before attacking their prey.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"excitementasafactorinbutt-wiggling\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Excitement_as_a_Factor_in_Butt-Wiggling\"><\/span>Excitement as a Factor in Butt-Wiggling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s not just when cats are about to pounce that they wiggle their butts. Excitement may also be a factor too. Cats enjoy hunting and playing, and wiggling a little may be their way of letting off some of that extra energy before doing something like pouncing on their favorite toy or stalking prey. And when cats are playing with each other, the butt wiggle is a way for them to signal to each other that they\u2019re ready for some action.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"checkingbalanceandthegroundbeneath\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Checking_Balance_and_the_Ground_Beneath\"><\/span>Checking Balance and the Ground Beneath<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The wiggling of the <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-stand-on-their-hind-legs\/\">hind legs not only helps cats<\/a> check their balance, but it also helps them press their paws into the ground to gain traction and stability. This gives cats an added advantage when they are ready to launch their pounce, as they will have a firm footing and won\u2019t risk slipping or losing balance. Additionally, cats may use this butt-wiggling motion to check the ground beneath them for any potential hazards. This could be anything from a steep slope to a slippery surface &#8211; cats are meticulous and smart animals, so they\u2019ll always check their safety before risking it for a meal!<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"whydoesmycatwiggleherbuttduringplaytime\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Does_My_Cat_Wiggle_Her_Butt_During_Playtime\"><\/span>Why Does My Cat Wiggle Her Butt During Playtime?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Butt-wiggling isn\u2019t just for hunting, it can also be seen when <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-play-with-their-prey\/\">cats are playing<\/a>. When kittens and grown cats play, they\u2019re subconsciously toning their muscles and practicing the same motions they will use while hunting. This behavior helps cats get in the right position to pounce, as well as helps them keep their balance. It\u2019s important for cats to practice their skills in a safe environment, so it\u2019s great to provide them with toys and activities that will help them hone their skills for when they need it most.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tipstohelpyourcatkeeptheirbalanceandimprovetheirjumpingability\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_to_Help_Your_Cat_Keep_Their_Balance_and_Improve_Their_Jumping_Ability\"><\/span>Tips to Help Your Cat Keep Their Balance and Improve Their Jumping Ability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No matter the reason for your cat\u2019s butt-wiggling, there are a few things you can do to help them keep their balance and improve their jumping ability. To start, make sure that the surfaces they\u2019re playing on are even and not slippery so that they don\u2019t lose traction when they attempt to pounce. Additionally, providing your <a href=\"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/why-do-cats-bring-you-toys\/\">cat with plenty of interactive toys<\/a> that require physical activity will help them build strength and agility. Finally, spending some quality playtime with your cat will help them practice their stalking and pouncing skills, allowing them to become an expert hunter in no time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cats wiggle their butts before pouncing for a variety of reasons. Wiggling helps cats press their hind legs into the ground for better traction. Additionally, excitement may be a factor as cats enjoy hunting and the wiggling may be a way of letting off excess energy before the pounce. The wiggling also helps cats line [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"modified_by":"admin","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce.jpg",1536,1024,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce.jpg",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce.jpg",1536,1024,false],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/cat_wiggling_and_ready_to_pounce-120x120.jpg",120,120,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Cats wiggle their butts before pouncing for a variety of reasons. Wiggling helps cats press their hind legs into the ground for better traction. Additionally, excitement may be a factor as cats enjoy hunting and the wiggling may be a way of letting off excess energy before the pounce. The wiggling also helps cats line&hellip;","_wp_old_slug":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2981"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fluffytamer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}