Cats can feel their tails. It is an extension of their spine, containing bones, muscles, and a rich network of nerves. This structure makes it a highly sensitive appendage, allowing cats to perceive touch, pressure, and even pain.
How Cats Feel Their Tail
The tail typically contains between 18 and 23 small bones called caudal vertebrae. These vertebrae are interconnected by muscles, tendons, and ligaments, providing flexibility and range of motion.
Nerves branching off the spinal cord extend throughout the tail, providing sensory feedback and motor control. This extensive nerve supply means the entire tail is sensitive to touch, pressure, and temperature. The tail’s base is more sensitive due to a higher concentration of nerve endings. Cats may react strongly to tail touches due to this sensitivity, overstimulation, or a protective instinct.
The Tail’s Many Roles
Beyond sensation, a cat’s tail plays multiple roles. It is important for balance and agility, acting as a counterweight during movements like walking on narrow surfaces, jumping, or climbing. Its flexible structure allows cats to adjust their tail position rapidly to maintain equilibrium.
The tail also serves as a communication tool, conveying a cat’s emotions and intentions. Its position and movement can signal happiness, fear, annoyance, or curiosity to other cats and humans. For instance, an upright tail often indicates contentment, while a puffed tail suggests fear or feeling threatened. Cats may also wrap their tail around themselves for warmth.
When Tail Sensation Changes
Changes in a cat’s tail sensation can be a sign of injury or an underlying health issue. Common causes of tail injuries include being stepped on, getting caught in a door, or being hit by a car. These incidents can lead to fractures, dislocations, or nerve damage. A severe injury called “degloving” occurs when skin is torn away from the underlying tissue, often requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Nerve damage to the tail can result in a limp tail, loss of sensation, or an inability to move it. In some cases, severe nerve damage near the tail’s base can affect control over bladder and bowel functions, leading to incontinence. Conditions like Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome can also alter how a cat perceives tail sensation, leading to extreme sensitivity, skin rippling, or even self-mutilation of the tail. If a cat shows signs of pain, a limp tail, or any unusual reaction to tail touches, veterinary consultation is important to diagnose and address potential concerns.