Why do cats have tails? The tell-tail truths and facts

A tail as old as time, a question as old as rhyme - why do cats have tails? Whilst a cat’s tail adds to our feline friend's air of elegance and suave movements, there are a few practical reasons why a kitty has a tail.

But, hang on, not every purr-baby has a tail… Why do some cats not have tails? Another great question and, of course, we don’t want to leave our tailless companions out of this conversation. We’ll explore and paw through the answers as to why do cats have a tail, what it means if they’re missing a cat tail, and whether domesticated cats really need a tail at all.

Why do cats have tails?

A cat’s tail has two primary functions - to give them balance and to display body language. Their tails are an extension of their spine which is used to counterbalance their weight, allowing them to do daredevil stunts like a trapeze artist. Ever seen a cat walk along an impossibly thin fence as if they were on solid ground? Yep, that’s their cat tails doing their job. Think of their tails as like an extra limb - you know how we humans stick out our arms to give ourselves more balance, that’s exactly what a cat’s tail does.

Body language-wise, cats lack the muscles in their face required to portray as many facial expressions as us humans or even doggos. Instead, their emotions can be read through the power of their tails.  A cat's tail can reveal a lot about what a cat is thinking and feeling. Although we’ll never fully understand what is happening inside those furry heads (and we probably don’t always want to know), their tail indicates where a cat is happy, annoyed, or frightened by a situation.

Can cats control their tail?

Yes, cats control their tails. As we mentioned above, their tail is like an additional limb connected to their spinal cord which allows them to move their tails at will. This also means their fluffy wipers also have nerve endings as they contain ​​blood vessels. Because of this, you should never grab or hold their tails. However, some cats may allow you to stroke their tail as part of their daily pets.

Why do some cats have short tails?

Some cats are born with short or stubby tails. For example, Manx cats are a breed known for having short, stumpy, or even no tail at all. Interestingly, this doesn’t make them any worse at climbing or hunting, despite their lack of furry aerial. 

Sadly, some kitties have to have their tails removed. This can be due to an unfortunate accident or nerve damage from an injury. Removing a tail is always done as a last resort and it protects the kitty by offering it a better quality of life without a damaged tail.

Why do some cats not have tails?

Pretty much for the same reasons as to why some cats have short tails. Genetics and breeding will determine whether a cat is born without a tail - in fact, a Manx cat will often come from a litter of kittens who all have regular-sized tails. It’s not fully understood why, but this is all down to the DNA lottery.

Otherwise, a cat without a tail could be the sign of a kitty who’s had a bit of bad luck. However, even without their tails, cats who have had their fluff aerials removed can still live a normal, happy life.

Tail or no tail, your kitty deserves to find a purr-fect fur companion to care for them when you’re away. Check out the latest feline fanatics in your area who would love to cat-chat with your fur family when you need to leave home. Not a member yet? Meow! We’ll have a look at our pricing plans to see which one would be the cat’s pajamas for your lifestyle.