Cat's tail: anatomy, curiosities and meaning of each movement... all about the tail of felines

 Cat's tail: anatomy, curiosities and meaning of each movement... all about the tail of felines

Tracy Wilkins

Every cat owner on duty knows that the cat's tail, in addition to being a charm, is also a part of the body that is full of meanings and curiosities. This is because many cats use their tails as a form of expression - so understanding feline language is very important to know how to deal with them. It is with this reading that it is possible to understand cat behavior and even know when the cat is in the right place.In addition, the cat's tail needs certain care to avoid problems, such as fractures. To clarify everything you need to know about the subject, the Paws of the House has put together the main information about cat tails, see below!

Cat anatomy: the importance of the cat's tail

Getting to know your cat's body in its entirety is amazing - and necessary, too. Did you know that felines have around 230 to 290 bones in their bodies, while humans have only 206? The number of bones varies according to the cat's breed and body structure, but still the difference is big.

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The cat's tail, for example, concentrates at least 10% of the animal's bones. In addition, it is worth noting that it is a continuation of the feline spine and performs some functions, mainly acting on the cat's balance and flexibility. No wonder the kittens are famous for having a wicked wit when it comes to parading around, right? But beware: certain precautions areProblems with your four-legged friend's tail, such as fractures, can lead to other health complications, the most common of which is difficulty walking.

Tail: cat does not like to be touched on this part of its body

As much as many people find it cute and feel like "fluffing" their cat's tail, this type of behavior should be avoided altogether. Pets feel extremely uncomfortable when someone touches this part of their body and this can cause serious trauma and injury to the animal, such as the dreaded fractures. As the cat's tail is nothing more than an extension of the spine, touch canTherefore, the most recommended is that people resist this temptation and avoid touching the animal's tail as much as possible.

Cat tail fracture: what can cause it?

In addition to the touch on the tail, there are different reasons that motivate injuries to this part of the animal's body. As kittens love mischief and adventures in high places, it is not difficult to imagine that, at times, this can end up going wrong, right? Despite all the dexterity and agility, accidents happen and this can end up resulting in a fracture in the cat's tail. If he lives with othersanimals or has a habit of going outside, fights can end up hurting the tail as well. In addition, hit-and-runs are also common in this street scenario. Other possible causes for a cat tail injury are bumps or when the tail gets stuck somewhere.

6 signs that your cat's tail has suffered a fracture

1) Cat meows a lot or has a sad quieter behavior;

2) The animal has difficulty moving around;

3) The cat shows imbalance when walking;

4) The cat's tail has a strange shape, like a kind of knot;

5) The kitten suddenly stopped moving its tail;

6) The cat is experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence.

What to do when you notice a fractured cat tail?

It's not always easy to notice when a cat has an injured tail, but if you see any of the signs highlighted above, it's essential to go to a veterinarian to check the situation. As the cat's tail directly affects the animal's balance and locomotion, it is essential to seek proper treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, your friend willIt is also important to note that, depending on where the fracture occurred, there is a possibility that it may cause neurological problems in the animal.

As for treatment, it is important to keep in mind that this will depend a lot on the diagnosis made by the doctor. In simple cases, it may be that just the use of a splint is enough to take care of your four-legged friend. However, in more serious cases, surgery often becomes the best solution. In addition, it is essential to follow all the vet's guidelines to ensure thatyour kitten will recover in the best way.

Learn how to avoid possible cat tail fractures

Cat tail injuries are usually derived from an external factor, so the best way to prevent this kind of thing from happening is by taking some basic care of the animal. One of the biggest recommendations is not to let your friend have access to the street. This way, accidents and confrontations with other animals can be easily avoided - and the cat's tail will be totally safe.

In addition, as already mentioned, you should not touch the cat's tail, not even if it is a caress or a joke. This is terrible and brings a lot of discomfort to the kitten, so always respect the animal's body. It is also important to redouble your attention when walking near your pet so as not to step on the cat's tail. Although these are simple and basic measures, we guarantee that they can help a lotto prevent accidents from happening with the cat's tail.

Tail: cats use this part of their body to communicate

A good way to learn how to interpret a cat's behavior is by analyzing the movements of its tail. It may sound weird, but the truth is that the cat's tail is one of the ways that the kitty finds to express itself and communicate with humans. Feline body language means a lot, and depending on the position and movement of the cat's tail, it is possible to know if the kitty is in a good wayOnce you learn to interpret these signs, it becomes much easier to communicate with felines.

Cat's tail: understand what each movement can mean

- Tail up with low hair

If your cat's tail is erect, but the hair is apparently down, it means that he is calm. This position is actually very common and is not a cause for concern. Sometimes you can even notice that the cat's tail is "pointing" to a certain place.

- Tail up with bristly hair

When the cat has its tail erect, but the hair is also up, you need to pay attention. This happens when the cat feels threatened by something, be it another animal or even a situation - such as a bath. So don't be alarmed if the cat takes a defensive posture. The ideal is to identify the reason for this and try to calm your friend.

- Cat's tail with a bend

This movement with the tail usually means that your four-legged friend is under a moment of tension and should not be disturbed. For some reason, he is feeling insecure and suspicious. In this way, the best thing to do is to leave the cat quiet until he feels comfortable and calm again. It can happen, for example, when there are many unfamiliar people around.

- Relaxed buttocks with little movement

Have you noticed that your pet has a relaxed tail, is standing still or moving very little? There is nothing to worry about! This means that the kitten is resting, but still aware of what is happening around. It is a great time to get close to the animal and pet it.

- Tail with longer movements

On the other hand, if the cat's tail is moving calmly as if it were waving, it means that something has aroused the animal's curiosity in that environment. So much so that, in addition to the cat's tail, it is also possible to notice its attentive and curious gaze at what has aroused its interest.

- Cat's tail between its legs

The expression "tail between the legs" is very popular and is usually associated with regrets in general. But when it comes to felines, the cat's tail between the legs usually means that the animal is sad and depressed. So if you notice that your kitty walks like this, it is important to start paying more attention to him and make him feel loved.

- Cat's tail down

When a cat's tail is down, it means that your four-legged friend is not well. It usually indicates illness and health problems. If you notice other signs of apathy, the best course of action is to take your cat to the vet to understand what might be going on.

- Tail relaxed with short, quick movements

This usually happens when the animal is very excited about something: either when the guardian shows a new toy or when he offers him some treats.

- Cat's tail wiggling endlessly

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If your cat is wagging its tail restlessly, you need to be careful. This means that the animal is in a bad mood and does not want to be disturbed. So do not even try to get close to it at this time!

- Cat's tail glued to body

This movement can happen when the cat is picked up on your lap, so that it "sticks" its tail close to your belly. This position means that the cat is nervous and uncomfortable with the situation, so it ends up taking this attitude to "protect" the belly, which is vulnerable.

Cat without a tail: what you need to know

Although a cat's tail is very important for its balance and flexibility, not all felines can enjoy a long, beautiful tail. This is because there are some cat breeds that do not have this structure in the way we are used to. It is no wonder that many people refer to them as tail-less cat breeds. The Manese cat - or "Manx cat" - is a great example of this.Animals of this breed, in fact, can suffer from the total absence of the tail, but there are also variations in which these cats have very short tails. This ends up interfering with the way these pets walk and, therefore, they ended up creating their own way of getting around.

Tracy Wilkins

Jeremy Cruz is a passionate animal lover and dedicated pet parent. With a background in veterinary medicine, Jeremy has spent years working alongside veterinarians, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience in caring for dogs and cats. His genuine love for animals and commitment to their well-being led him to create the blog Everything you need to know about dogs and cats, where he shares expert advice from veterinarians, owners, and respected experts in the field, including Tracy Wilkins. By combining his expertise in veterinary medicine with insights from other respected professionals, Jeremy aims to provide a comprehensive resource for pet owners, helping them understand and address their beloved pets' needs. Whether it's training tips, health advice, or simply spreading awareness about animal welfare, Jeremy's blog has become a go-to source for pet enthusiasts seeking reliable and compassionate information. Through his writing, Jeremy hopes to inspire others to become more responsible pet owners and create a world where all animals receive the love, care, and respect they deserve.