Cats are adorable when lay sleeping and they have their tail wrapped around their body or when you see to your cat randomly chasing its tail for no apparent reason, it almost like they don’t know if part of their body and can lead you to think do cats even have control of their tails? so let’s try and answer that now.
Do cats have control of their tails
Cat’s tails are voluntarily controlled from the base to the end tip. A cat’s tail has many muscles along with nerves, tendons, and ligaments as well as bone. So cats do have control of their tails and their movements, though they can sometimes have involuntary movements through mental and physical conditions.
Do cats move their tails on purpose
Yes, they can do, for instance they can communicate their mood through their tail for example waging it when feeling happy or holding it high pointing directly up when feeling confident, or they will often wag their tail when playing games.
Are cat tail movements voluntary
As discussed above most cat’s tail movements are voluntary and reflect their emotion or movements. They may flick, wave, or curl their tail. Movements in a cat’s tail may also be involuntary like how we automatically blink without thinking. Some involuntary movements your cat’s tail may do is twitch whilst their dreaming or sleeping.
Do cats know they are chasing their own tail
Cats only really chase their tail if in a specific mode of entertainment. Adult cats don’t do this as much as maybe a kitten so its always worth keeping an eye on your cat if they do this frequently as it maybe that their tail is causing them discomfort / irritation from a medical cause.
What does it mean when a cat flicks its tail while lying down
When a cat is relaxed it may flick its tail when laid down. If its just the tip of its tail this will generally mean they are ready to pounce, or if it is sleeping it could be due to the fact the cat is dreaming.
Can a cats tail tell you if their happy
Cats have been known to tell you they’re happy with their tail but not all do this.
It is shown by them wrapping their tail around your arm, leg or they may twitch their tail a bit like a vibration pointing straight up in a repetitive movement.
Why do cats wrap their tail around themselves
Usually when cats wrap their tail around themselves it to keep them warm and conserve body temperature, often they will do this when settling down to sleep, perhaps in their favourite cat tree.
What a cats tail tells you about them
Tail Up
A cats tail up is a sign of happiness or curiosity.
If curious for example greeting someone or something new its tail would be straight in the air , firm and may first rub its head on you or a object. This may result in purring also.
If the tail is bent at the tip this may mean the cat is slightly irritated and more curious.
Tail Down
A cat’s tail tucked down is a sign of upset or scared but a tail arched in a downward position is a defence posture usually seen when cats are wary or see another cat they feel threatened by.
Tail Twitching and Swishing
A cat’s tail twitching and swishing is a sign that your cat may be on the hunt or playing.
A Playful Cat
A cat that’s playing and excited will swish and wave its tail.
An Agitated Cat
When a cats agitated it will flick its tail intermittently. Just slightly different to a playful cat. Even over petting your cat may bring this on.
An Aggressive Cat
An aggressive cat may wag their tail but this time vigorously when on the offense. This starts from the base of the tail engaging all its vertebrae in its tail and generally will be puffed up.
Irritated
A cats tail will quiver slightly when irritated. If this feeling persists then it may turn into the tail beating in a swift swish motion. If your cat is sat and you’re petting it when this comes on then stop.
Dispute
Cats in disputes with other cats will wag their tail meaning they are intimidated by the other cat and ready to protect its self.
Uncertainty
A cat that’s being repetitive walking up and down whilst raising and dropping its tail is unsure of its environment and is trying to find somewhere to sit, something to do or be satisfied its safe before relaxing.
Mating
Only really for females does a cats tail hover to one side when introduced to a male in mating season.
Other Possibilities
A cat’s tail movement could just mean they are trying to get their balance as essentially a cats tail acts much like a trapeze artists hands do helping them maintain steady movement and balance.
With all that said, don’t always use the tail to determine your cat’s mood as it can change quickly from positive to negative. Keep a look out for change in ear positions, eyes, body position and paws along with sounds like from purring to hissing.
In Conclusion
Cats have a lot of control over their tails. The different movements mean different things, and cats can use their tails to communicate with other cats and with humans.