I am keen on my Siberian cat Alexei’s tail. It’s so huge and fluffy, and I like the way it flicks and sways relying on his temper. So certain, I get pleasure from his tail, however why do cats have tails? And does he even want one within the first place? I clearly don’t have one, however I’ve at all times thought it should be fairly enjoyable to have a tail.
Anyway, I digress. From utilizing it for steadiness and having enjoyable whereas chasing their tails, listed here are 8 explanation why cats have tails. I’ve additionally lined another key issues about cat tails which can be price realizing.
Why Cats Have Tails
Why do cats want tails? Properly, the reply is, for quite a lot of causes, which I’ve listed under.
1. For Steadiness
Whereas dogs hate cats (and vice versa in line with standard tradition — which isn’t actually true), pups and kitties share some traits, together with having a tail. The primary cause why canines and cats have tails is that it helps with their sense of steadiness. That is notably necessary when they’re strolling or working alongside slim ledges akin to fences or cabinets. Their tail is a counterbalance. It additionally helps them to steadiness when they’re working and after they soar on prey.
This counterbalance can be a key consider why cats at all times land on their ft (though the uncommon cats with out tails are additionally capable of land on their ft, so that is one which we don’t absolutely perceive but). This steadiness additionally helps cats to get away from potential predators. Should you watch your cat, you will note that when it jumps up, its tail goes down. When it swerves to the left, its tail will swerve to the precise.
2. To Talk
Your cat’s tail is a key indicator of its temper. Everyone knows {that a} wagging tail in a canine usually means it’s comfortable. Listed here are a few of the issues that your cat’s tail might be telling you about how they’re feeling:
- A cat is, in fact, too cool to wag their cat tails like canines do, however mild swishing generally is a signal of a contented cat tail.
- A stiff straight-up tail is a transparent signal that your cat is sad or frightened.
- When all of the fur in your cat’s tail is on finish, and it’s at its largest, it’s also a sign that your kitty isn’t happy.
- In case your cat’s tail is thrashing round, the chances are it’s offended.
- Typically cats whack their tail on the bottom when they’re mendacity down – this often means you need to depart them alone.
- A tail that’s up within the air and formed a bit like a query mark is an indication that your cat is within the temper to play. That is additionally the reply to the widespread query cat homeowners ask, “why do cats curl their tail?”. The reply is that it is a sign that they’re comfortable to be round you or different cats.
- If the tip of your cat’s tail is twitching, this can be a signal that they’re a bit on edge, and you might need to be careful for potential marking habits.
- A tail that’s tightly wound round your cat may imply that it’s afraid and even unwell – notably if that is accompanied by them being crouched down.
- Should you haven’t seen your cat for a short time they usually greet you with their tail straight up within the air, this usually signifies that they’re in a superb temper and prepared for some love.
- A tail that’s low to the bottom could imply your cat isn’t nicely or is feeling anxious.
- When your cat wraps its tail round you, it’s their approach of claiming that they love you. They might even be saying that they’re hungry.
- A quivering tail means your cat is happy to see you – often, their tail can be up, however the finish will perform a little shake. That is typically accompanied by purring.
- A cat with its tail between its legs is displaying both insecurity, worry, anxiousness, or submission to somebody or one other animal.
All the above will help you to grasp what your cat is perhaps attempting to let you know. Nevertheless, do take a look at tail habits within the context of your cat’s general physique language and habits.
For instance, in case your cat is quick asleep and in one of many extra widespread cat sleeping positions, it’s unlikely {that a} twitching tail is an indication of irritation – it’s extra probably that it’s dreaming (sure, cats do dream).
3. To Ship a Message to Different Cats
In case your cat is round different kitties and places its tail within the air, this can be a signal that the opposite cats are welcome to come back and have a superb sniff round.
4. To Hold Heat
Have you ever observed that always when your cat curls up and has a sleep, they wrap their tail round themselves? That is to maintain them heat while they nap or sleep.
5. To Get Rid of an Irritation
If there are bugs round your cat or a scent that they don’t like (or perhaps a human or different animal they don’t like), they will whack their tail round a bit to attempt to clear the world of no matter is bothering them.
6. To Perceive Their Environment
Like whiskers (for the individuals asking themselves, “why do cats have tails and whiskers?”), tails are additionally a part of a cat’s sense of contact. Its tail may assist it try its environment by feeling surfaces or areas and serving to to evaluate if they’re secure or comfy.
The nerves in a cat’s tail additionally ship alerts to a cat’s physique to assist it to coordinate a response to the atmosphere it’s in. This can be a key a part of your cat’s lightning-quick response system.
7. To Get Your Consideration
Have you ever ever observed that typically when you find yourself sitting, working, or watching TV, your cat will simply stick its tail in your face? That is your kitty’s reasonably unsubtle indicator that it could like your consideration. This can be as a result of they’re hungry, or they might desire a pat and a few cuddles.
8. To Mark Their Territory
Along with a few of the different ways in which cats mark their territories, akin to urinating, a cat’s tail accommodates scent glands that are known as caudal glands. These are additionally used when a cat is marking its territory.
7 Key Issues to Know About Cat Tails
Now that you just’ve acquired the reply to “why do cats have their tail up?” and different associated questions, how about studying another issues a couple of cat’s tail?
1. Cat Tails Include Nerves
An harm to your cat’s tail may end up in everlasting harm. The tail is dwelling to many nerves which have an effect on how your cat controls urinating and defecating. Nerve damage can be attributable to pulling on a cat’s tail. This sort of harm can heal over time, however it might probably additionally find yourself being everlasting.
2. Cats Don’t Must Have Tails
Do cats want tails? Probably not. If a cat loses its tail, it would quickly be taught to compensate. Manx cats are a breed of cat which can be born with out tails and don’t appear to have any agility points relative to different breeds.
3. Home vs Wild Cats
When a wild cat is strolling, it would both tuck its tail between its legs or maintain it horizontally. Home cats are the one kitties which have a vertical tail while strolling.
4. Cats do Management Their Tails
Typically a cat’s tail will transfer in an involuntary motion – very like how we frequently blink with out fascinated with it. You could discover this particularly when your cat is asleep, and its tail begins twitching. However usually, your cat can be controlling its tail.
5. Ought to I Contact My Cat’s Tail?
The overall reply to that is no. A cat’s tail is kind of delicate as a result of variety of nerves and muscle tissues inside it. It’s fairly simple to trigger your cat some ache with out which means to – notably when you step on their tail.
Be as mild as you’ll be able to in the case of your kitty’s tail. Some cats really like having their tail pulled, however your cat may not be one in all them.
6. How Lengthy Ought to a Cat’s Tail Be?
A cat’s tail grows according to the remainder of your cat to assist its balancing wants, so like your kitty, its tail can proceed to develop as much as the age of two years. As soon as your cat reaches two, it’s unlikely that its tail will proceed to develop. A typical full-length cat tail can be between 9 and 11 inches lengthy.
A cat’s tail accommodates about 10% of the bones in your kitty’s physique, and it’s made up of 19 to 23 vertebrae. These vertebrae lengthen out of your cat’s backbone however aren’t a part of its spinal twine.
Some cats are born with kinked or bobbed tails, and this could have an effect on their capacity to steadiness.
7. Can Cats Break Their Tails?
Cats can positively injure their tails. These accidents are often attributable to a fall or your cat’s tail getting caught in a door or being stepped on. Cats that sit on their tails typically may even have to be monitored for any self-inflicted accidents. As talked about earlier, nerve harm can usually be mounted if handled in time however may end up in everlasting harm to your cat.
Remaining Ideas on Why Do Cats Have a Tail?
As you’ll be able to see, there are a number of solutions to the query, “why does a cat have a tail?” A cat’s tail serves totally different functions, and with the information above, you need to now know most of them.
Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud guardian of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is obsessed with understanding cats and totally different cat breeds.
