Why Do Cats Have Tails?

Felines are pretty impressive creatures – they can see at night, jump incredibly high, and perform incredible feats of contortion. They also have what some call a “fifth limb” — the super rustling, sometimes hairy, constantly active appendix.

A feline’s tail has both physical and psychological benefits, making it something quite intriguing to learn about. So what exactly do these hairy appendages serve? Cats often display cat’s ear affection, and understanding this unique form of feline love is key to nurturing a strong bond. Discover the mysteries behind why cats are drawn to ear rubs and how it enhances the affectionate connection between you and your pet.

Why do cats have tails?

The cat’s tail is significant for several reasons. Cats use their butts for a variety of things. Felines use their tails for kitten-cat, cat-human interaction, and most importantly, for balance and agility as they hunt for prey and evade predators. Several physiological functions power their tails. Tails are an extension of the cat’s spinal cord and are also made up of essential components such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, vertebrae and scent glands. Felines exhibit a variety of behaviors, and mirror-scratching behavior is one of the more perplexing ones. This article delves into the causes and solutions for your cat’s peculiar habit of clawing at mirrors, offering insights into the enigmatic world of your pet’s habits.

Every cat’s tail is different; however, each feline uses its appendage in similar ways.

What Is a Cat’s Tail Made Of?

The tail bones of a domestic cat are known as the tail vertebrae. Felines generally have 18-23 caudal vertebrae. Cats with shorter tails or no tails will have fewer tail vertebrae. Even humans who don’t have tails have 3-5 back vertebrae. Our tail vertebrae are fused into a bone, called the coccyx, which helps stabilize us when we sit up. Felines have the same cervical vertebrae as most other creatures. However, they have added vertebrae in the thoracic area and two more vertebrae in the lumbar region compared to humans.

The extra vertebrae give cats more adaptability in their spine and also help them with their speed and agility. The tail is an essential part of these skills. Nerves run along a cat’s tail, which helps it gain information from its surroundings, essentially allowing it to “feel” with its tail.

Can Cats Control Their Tails?

The cat controls its tail, except when dreaming.  

The cat’s tail responds to environmental stimuli. Thus, he perfectly perceives the pain when his tail is injured. Here are some signs that could make you think that this control has disappeared and that he no longer feels it:  

• Its tail drags on the ground constantly;
• It contracts constantly even in the waking phase;
• He has become incontinent (he urinates in small drops all over the house, without necessarily realizing it);
• It does not smell when handled.

THE MEANING OF TAIL MOVEMENTS IN CATS?

The position and movements of your cat’s tail say a lot about his mood: it’s a real way to communicate. Let’s try to decipher the different postures he can adopt.

Your cat is calm if he is sitting quietly with his tail wrapped around his paws if he is walking with his tail placed in line with his body, or if he is lying down and gently moving his tail pendulum movements (he takes a nap but does not necessarily need caresses).

If he’s feeling affectionate, he may come up to you with his tail erect, seek a pet, lift his hindquarters when you touch his back, or even gently blink and meow, rubbing against you… He can also lift it suddenly to show you his interest and make you understand that he wants to play.

When agitated or on a hunting trip, he may be motionless and have his tail and hindquarters swaying from right to left. It’s a sign of concentration: maybe he saw a mouse?

A cat that flaps its tail from side to side is an angry cat. If you’re playing with him, watch your hands, it’s almost the end of the game and the beginning of the war. If you don’t listen to him, he may scratch or bite you; Be careful to read these signs carefully. They are often associated with dilation of the pupils, paws that retract and protrude their claws, ears set back or to the side

If your cat is defending its territory, it may swell its tail (all its hairs stand on end), beat it in all directions, and crab-walk: it tries to scare its opponent by showing itself to be bigger than it is. East. After that will follow an attack … or flight!

A cat with its tail tucked between its legs or lying on its side with its tail flat to the ground is showing fear and submission. He can react badly and attack if he sees no other solution. If you don’t want to scare him, talk to him softly, approaching slowly. Leave him alone if you see that your efforts are only cornering him further.

WHY IS MY CAT’S TAIL SHAKING?

A cat can have a wagging tail at different times. It can be to welcome you: he is very happy, his tail in panache, asks for caresses, and acts crazy when you approach. It can also be a sign of urinary marking: your cat can raise its tail very high and make small tremors while emitting a small jet of urine against a tree, a wall… or your armchair!    

To conclude, the position of your cat’s tail is a way to decipher his mood: depending on their agitation, stress, and happiness at the moment, the tail will follow and it’s a good way to know if you should give him space. or if he asks for caresses and attention.

Why don’t cats stop wagging their tails?

The cat’s tail is an important communication tool. His movement, apparently simple and carefree, is actually a complex and structured language that he uses to communicate, be it with people, with other animals, or with his environment.

In other words, the movement of a cat’s tail is more than just swaying. If you notice, your cat waves its tail in different ways: fold it, hide it, turn it, lift it, or tilt it. In addition, it gives speed to each movement. You can do it slow, steady, fast, or all at the same time.

Each of these gestures hides a message. Learning to interpret your cat’s body language and what it means when he wags his tail will help you understand how he thinks, what he feels, what he is attracted to, and fears.

What does the cat tell us with its tail?

Tail upright

If your cat’s tail is pointing up while walking, it usually means that the cat is happy and confident. The tail can be completely straight or with a bent tip, in both cases they are usually friendly signs. It can also be accompanied by a small movement that denotes curiosity. The cat usually adopts these positions when it is interested in something, observes something that is pleasant to it, or as a sign of greeting. To make sure, it is important to see the rest of his body language: how he is walking, how he looks, if he nudges us, etc.

Semi-raised tail in a vertical position

when the cat does not have its tail fully raised and it is immobile, it usually denotes security. If he moves it slightly from one side to the other, it means that he is aware of something. They usually do this position when they are going to make a decision, like going somewhere or playing.

Tail against the ground

if the cat has its tail immobile but from time to time it moves its tip, it may be slightly irritated or it is also in a pensive, indecisive state. But if his movement is more abrupt, it is a sign of anger. The more abrupt the movement, coming to hit with the entire tail, is already a sign of complete anger and possible attack or flight.

Tail low and between the legs

If the cat has its tail low, it may be a sign of submission. If he also places it between his legs, the cat is afraid.

Bristling tail

when the cat bristles, something is wrong. If his tail is fully stretched out and standing on end, it is a mainly intimidating and angry position. If it also arches its tail, it is prepared to attack at the slightest provocation. This arching of the tail is often accompanied by a full arching of the body.

Tail against the side of the body and quite rigid

a gesture that female cats in heat make in the period in which they are ready to be mated is that they put their tail against the body, almost completely rigid. This movement is usually accompanied by other gestures typical of the cat’s heat.

There are no exceptions, both male cats and female cats communicate in the same way with their tails.

How cats wag their tails

The position of the tail is not the only determinant of the animal’s mood.

• If your cat wags its tail very quickly , it is a sign of anger or aggression. It means that your cat is preparing to attack.
• If your cat makes soft movements with the tail, and slow, you can be calm. This is a sign that he is calm, or thoughtful, because perhaps he has seen something that has caught his attention.
• If your cat wags its tail from side to side , it’s nothing like a dog does. Unlike dogs, when cats wag their tails from side to side it means they’re angry, so it’s best to let them calm down.

It is very curious if we also look at their purrs and the way they knead us , because we can understand our feline a lot. And just like cats communicate with their tails , they can also tell us what they want or need by following us around . Take a look at this article to find out why. It’s very interesting!

In conclusion

A cat’s tail serves multiple purposes, from communication and expression to balance and agility. It is a fascinating appendage that adds to the allure and mystique of these incredible creatures. Understanding the intricacies of a cat’s tail can deepen our connection with them and help us navigate their world with greater sensitivity and understanding. Remember to always respect a cat’s boundaries, particularly when it comes to its tail, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of this remarkable feline feature.