Cats use their tails to communicate their moods and feelings. A cat’s tail often reveals how it’s feeling at any given moment. But can cats actually feel sensations in their tails? Keep reading to find out.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, cats can feel their tails. A cat’s tail contains bones and muscles connected to its spine and nerves that relay sensations back to its brain.
Anatomy of a Cat’s Tail
Bones
A cat’s tail contains vertebrae, small interlocking bones that run through the length of the tail. Cats have 23 or fewer tail vertebrae, which gives their tails great flexibility and mobility. The vertebrae connect to each other with ligaments and muscles that allow the tail to bend and twist in almost any direction.
The vertebrae are also attached to nerves, blood vessels, and tendons that help control tail movement.
Cats use their tail vertebrae and muscles to communicate their mood and intentions through tail signals. For example, an erect, upright tail indicates happiness and greeting, a swishing tail can mean irritation, and a lowered tail may signal fear or insecurity.
The bones make all of these expressive tail motions possible.
Muscles
There are various pairs of muscles that control a cat’s tail movements. These include:
- Extensor muscles – Run along the top of the tail and raise it upright.
- Flexor muscles – Run along the underside and bend the tail downward.
- Abductor muscles – Move the tail away from the body sideways.
- Adductor muscles – Pull the tail back toward the body.
Coordination between these muscle groups allows cats to curl the tip of their tails, wave their tails slowly, twitch the end, or make other graceful motions. The muscles get signals from the motor nerves that tell them when to contract and relax to create specific tail movements.
Cats often move their tails unconsciously to maintain balance while walking along fences, tree branches, and other narrow surfaces. The tail muscles constantly adjust to keep the body steady. This shows the importance of tail muscles for a cat’s coordination and agility.
Nerves
A network of nerves, called the caudal vertebral nerves, runs from the spinal cord through the tail vertebrae. These nerves control tail movement by carrying motor signals to the tail muscles telling them when to contract.
In addition to motor nerves, the tail contains sensory nerves that run from the skin through the spinal cord to the brain. These nerves send information about sensations in the tail, such as pain, changes in temperature, and touch.
For example, when a cat’s tail is pulled or stepped on, signals travel through the sensory nerves to immediately alert the cat.
Cats have an amazing ability to move their tails with precision to communicate their mood and intentions. The vertebrae provide the flexible structure, while the nerves and muscles work together to make controlled tail motions possible for balance, expression, and sensory perception.
Cats Use Their Tails to Communicate
Upright Tail
When a cat holds its tail straight up in the air, it is a sign that kitty is feeling confident, content, and friendly. An upright tail looks like a happy greeting when your cat approaches you. It often comes with a meow as if to say “Hello, I’m so glad you’re here!”
An upright tail can also signal that your cat is intrigued by something and wants to investigate further.
Twitching Tail Tip
A tail that twitches only at the tip indicates that your cat is feeling irritable or moody. The twitching shows their agitated internal state. It’s like when we impatiently tap our foot or drum our fingers when annoyed.
If your cat’s tail tip starts twitching, it’s best to give them some space until they calm down.
Wagging Tail
When a cat wags its tail slowly from side to side, it often means they are becoming annoyed or angry about something. The wagging tail serves as a warning to back off and stop doing whatever is aggravating them.
However, some cats will also wag their tails playfully when very excited, so you have to look at their overall body language.
Lashing Tail
A lashing tail indicates that a cat feels threatened or fearful. The fast whipping motion shows high arousal and adrenaline. If your cat’s tail starts lashing, check their environment for any signs of danger. Remove the threat if possible and comfort your cat to help them relax.
However, don’t approach them if they are hissing or growling, as that may escalate the situation.
Cats Feel Pain and Touch in Their Tails
A cat’s tail is a complex and sensitive part of their anatomy. Here’s an overview of how cats experience sensations in their tails:
Nerves and Pain
A cat’s tail contains vertebrae, muscles, tendons, blood vessels and nerves. The nerves connect to the spinal cord and brain, allowing cats to feel sensations in their tails. When these nerves are stimulated, cats feel pain or other sensations.
For example, if a cat’s tail gets stepped on or caught in a door, they will likely feel pain. The nerves send signals to the brain, causing the cat to react. This is why cats may vocalize, run away or bite when their tail is hurt – it is a painful experience.
Touch and Texture
In addition to pain, cats can feel other sensations through the nerves in their tails. Light touch or stroking of a cat’s tail can be perceived as pleasant. Cats may also feel the texture of surfaces through their tails.
For instance, a cat may swish their tail back and forth on a soft carpet or react differently to rough or smooth surfaces. The sensory receptors pick up this textural information and relay it to the cat’s brain.
Balance and Movement
A cat uses their tail to aid with balance, coordination and movement. The tail contains muscles, tendons and joints that allow it to move in different directions. Cats can also sense the position and movement of their tail.
Proprioceptors in the tail give cats information about the orientation, angle and motion of their tail. This assists cats with balancing and body control. It’s why cats use their tails to help turn quickly, walk along fences, and maintain stability on uneven surfaces.
Communication
Cats rely on tail positioning and motion to convey information and emotions. For example:
- A tail straight up signals happiness and greeting
- Swishing can indicate irritation or overstimulation
- A puffed tail conveys fear or aggression
- Wrapped around the body shows insecurity
Cats are very attuned to subtle tail motions and positions. A tail also helps cats read each other’s moods and intents during cat social interactions.
Key Facts About Cat Tails
- Contains 19-23 vertebrae and numerous nerves
- Key role in balance, coordination and agility
- Transmits sensations of pain, touch, temperature
- Highly mobile and expressive
- Vital for cat communication
Injuries and Medical Conditions Affecting Tails
Fractures
Cat tails are prone to fractures from being stepped on, caught in doors, or from falls. Signs of a tail fracture include swelling, bending, painful reaction when touched, and inability to move the tail properly. Treatment often involves splinting and pain medication.
More severe injuries may require amputation. According to the ASPCA, an estimated 2.5 million cats suffer tail injuries each year in the United States.
Sprains and Dislocations
Overextending or twisting the tail can lead to sprains of the tendons and ligaments or even dislocation of the vertebrae. This causes swelling, bruising, and intense pain at the site of injury. Cats may act depressed, avoid having the tail touched, and keep the tail low or tucked.
Applying cold compresses and administering anti-inflammatories can help manage pain and inflammation as it heals.
Infections
Open wounds on cat tails are prone to developing bacterial or fungal infections. Signs include redness, swelling, oozing, foul odor, and fever. Infections require antibiotic or antifungal treatment, wound cleaning, and sometimes debridement of dead tissue.
Preventing re-injury during healing is also important. An infected tail wound can progress to bone infection or abscess if left untreated.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
This condition, also called “rolling skin disease,” causes episodes of agitation, biting at the tail, chasing imaginary objects, and self-mutilation of the tail. The underlying cause is unknown but may involve neurological or immunological disorders. Episodes are often triggered by stress.
Symptoms usually begin at under 3 years old. Treatment options include anti-seizure medications, pain medications, behavior modification, and environmental changes to reduce stress.
Conclusion
A cat’s tail is an important means of non-verbal communication. The tails contains bones, muscles, and nerves connected to the cat’s central nervous system. This anatomical structure allows cats to feel sensations of touch, pain, and temperature in their tails.
So the answer is yes – cats can definitely feel their tails! This helps explain why cats rely on tail movements and positions to express their moods and physical states.
