So How To Tell Why Your Cat Is Chasing Its Own Tail
Figuring out whether the tail chasing is just harmless playfulness or an actual problem isnt always easy. Here are a few questions to ask yourself
As always, if youre not sure, talk to us about it! Post about your tail-chasing cat in the cat behavior forums. Try to capture the behavior on video or in pictures and share those as well. It would help those of our members who are more experienced with cats to assess whats going on.
Why Do Cats Puff Their Tails
Cats may not speak our language, but they have their own ways of letting people know what theyre feeling. Feline body language gives insight into the emotions and reactions of our pets, and a cats tail is their best method of communication.
Most cat people have seen what happens when a cat puffs its tail up to twice its normal size. A puffy tail can mean several different things. When you combine the puffed-up tail with the rest of your cats body language, its not hard to figure out exactly what theyre thinking.
What Should I Do If My Cat Experiences Sudden Aggression
The first stop any time a cat shows these aggressive signs without obvious provocation is your veterinarian. She can examine your cat and make sure he;does not have a medical condition causing the unwanted behavior. If your cat has a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can refer you to a;behaviorist who can help determine the triggers of aggression and the steps you can take at home to resolve the problem.
In many cases, simply being aware of the early signals of a cat about to freak out gives you the chance to remove yourself from the situation before it escalates to violence. While you cant always control the causes of the anxiety, owners can often give the cat the space he or she needs to wind down without injuring anyone. With patience and some good detective work, many cats are quickly back in everyones good graces.
Want to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of aggression in cats? Read an;overview of the condition.
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Why Do Cats Chase Their Tails
Its three in the morning and your cat is whirling around in a circle fast enough to make even the most seaworthy cat parent a little dizzy. He is chasing after that pesky tail again, and it seems that poor thing never gets a rest. While tail chasing may be cute and a little curious, you wonder if this is normal. For an active little kitten, their tail may look like the ultimate chase toy that is always with them. But for an adult cat, sudden tail chasing may indicate a medical issue. Knowing your cats normal behavior is the best way to determine if tail chasing is just something fun for you to watch or a sign of something more serious.
Signs That Your Cat Is Biting And Attacking His Tail
While a bleeding tail is one of the most evident signs of this queer cat behavior,; other symptoms of a tail mutilation issue may include cuts in the tail area. missing fur, scabbing, and bleeding. The moment you see these symptoms, consult your vet right away and if you notice profuse bleeding in the tail area then your cat needs emergency vet attention.
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Question: Why Does My Cat Attack Her Tail
Monkey attacks her own tail. Marlene says Monkey did this for a short time after she was spayed a year ago. “She started again intermittently about a month ago and the frequency has increased. Now Monkey hisses and attacks her tail, hissing, and swatting at it, all day and night. She will stop for short times and then start again. We have tried talking to her, picking her up, and squirting her with water from a squirt bottle.”
The veterinarian could find nothing wrong and suggested it was a behavioral issue and suggested tests and possibly kitty Prozac, but they’re beyond the owner’s current budget. Instead, the veterinarian suggested “calming drops” placed in Monkey’s water, and Marlene got a “Good Behavior Calming Collar” which have helped “a tiny bit but not much.
Why Do Cats Flick The Tip Of Their Tail
Cats twitch the end of their tails when they are hunting and playing, as well as when they are mildly irritated and frustrated. In this case, read the scene and look for other clues to their mood. If theyre not playing or stalking something, then the twitching tail movement probably means that they are annoyed.
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The Tales Your Cat’s Tail Tells
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Your cat’s tail can tell you about what’s going on inside her head. Tails are good indicators of mood. Take a little time to observe your cat’s behavior and you;will start to get a feel of the tales the tail tells.
Position: high. When your cat holds her tail high in the air as she moves about her territory, she’s expressing confidence and contentment. A tail that sticks straight up signals happiness and a willingness to be friendly. And watch the tip of an erect tail. A little twitch can mean a particularly happy moment.
Position: curved like a question mark. You might consider taking a break from your daily business to play with your cat if you notice a curve in her tail. This tail position often signals a playful mood and a cat that’s ready to share some fun with you.
Position: low. Watch out. A tail positioned straight down can signal aggression. A lower tail is a very serious mood. However, be aware that certain breeds, such as Persians, tend to carry their tails low for no particular reason.
Position: tucked away. A tail curved beneath the body signals fear or submission. Something is making your cat nervous.
Position: puffed up. A tail resembling a pipe cleaner reflects a severely agitated and frightened cat trying to look bigger to ward off danger.
Position: whipping tail. A tail that slaps back and forth rapidly indicates both fear and aggression. Consider it a warning to stay away.
What To Do When Your Cat Attacks
Now that you know the possible reasons for feline aggression, you can follow the links provided here and learn how to prevent these attacks.
The specifics will be related to the reason. A mischievous kitten that scratches peoples ankles needs to be dealt with differently from a cat who viciously attacked someone because shes just spotted a strange feral cat outside.
The one rule which always holds true is Dont punish your cat.
Yes, being scratched or bitten can hurt. A lot. And it can be scary when unexpected. However, you must make an effort not to shout, reprimand or otherwise punish or scare your cat following an attack. In many cases, it will only lead to a cycle of fear and further aggression.
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Why Does A Cat Wag The Tip Of Its Tail
Twitching at the tip of a cats tail denotes happiness or excitement. It begins with the tail itself. As Behavioral Processes explains, cats that keep their tail erect feel confident and assured.
Twitching at the tip of the tail from a lying down cat suggests that it is:
- Observing prey through a window
- Enjoying getting attention
- Waiting for you to get home
Twitching at the tip of a tail can also denote frustration, but other behaviors will accompany this action. Your cat is unlikely to lie down if its in this state of mind. If your cat does not hiss, it is unlikely to be frustrated.
Why Does My Cat Attack Her Tail
Several pet owners have reported seeing their kittens chase at their tails at very high speeds without resting.
Kittens chase and attack their tails because they view them as playthings.;
But for adult cats, it could be signs of pain, an infection, a flea bite, or any other underlying medical condition.
They may even hiss and growl at their tails. And when they manage to catch it, they may end up biting and hurting themselves even further.
This behavior may lead to an infection, and the tail may even need to be mutilated.
Pay attention to your cats actions and body language to identify a sudden change and the reason they may be chasing their tail.
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Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails When Hunting
A cat may be wagging its tail because it is concentrating on a hunt. Lying down on its front, tail wagging, and a wiggling body precede pouncing. The cat is making itself small and inconspicuous to avoid detection.
Cats also wave their tails to mesmerize prey, gaining a cat precious seconds to attack. If any of the following precedes the tail movement, its hunting-related:
- Shifting weight between back legs
These behaviors are warning signs. So, if you see your cat lying down and behaving this way, you should distract it with a toy. If you fail to do so, the cat may start to hunt your toes or ankles.
Many cats lie down by a window and watch birds outside. This will lead to a twitching tail, as your cat imagines pouncing. It may also be imitating its prey by making sounds similar to birds. It may also attempt a physical impersonation of a birds quivering tail feathers.
What Does It Mean When A Cat’s Tail Stands Straight Up
When a cats tail is upright, they are feeling social and confident, and approaching in a friendly manner.
This cat tail language indicates a friendly greeting between cats, and its how kittens greet their mothers. A research study by Cameron-Beaumont in 1997 found that cats were willing to readily approach a cat-shaped silhouette if it had a raised tail but were reluctant to approach the silhouette if it had a lowered tail.1
If your cat approaches you with their tail up, this is a good time to pet them or play with them.
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Confusing Kitties Why Does My Cat Purr Then Bite
Are you confused when your cat is snuggling on your lap, purring, seemingly content, you are gently stroking them and all is harmonious then they turn around and bite you?
Rest assured, this is not unusual! Some kitty lovers call this a love bite, others call it petting aggression. Its a controversial subject but its believed that if your cat suddenly bites you for no apparent reason, it could be because they are being overstimulated by the constant stroking – which you thought they were enjoying!
Another theory is that repetitive stroking creates static electricity on your cats coat, causing little shocks – which would of course make them react adversely. Or your cat may have a painful joint that you inadvertently touch when you are stroking – this could be the case if your cat is elderly.
Whatever the reason, petting induced aggression, or defensive biting can be prevented by promotion socialization from an early age. The amount of petting a cat tolerates can be influenced by their experiences with humans when they are a young kitten, so spending time with your kitty when they are small is key!
How To Stop My Cat From Attacking Its Tail
A great way to stop your cat from attacking its own tail is through strong and healthy play time activities! If FHE and over-aggressive tail play is brought on through cat stress or boredom, as is thought by some, then simply relieving that boredom should solve the problem! As weve said before, the best cat toys;are the ones that fulfill the cats need to predate that is, to hunt. Now you may work full time and might not always have time to alleviate your cats boredom or stress when it needs it, and thats understandable.
Thats why we recommend something like that Catit Designs Senses Play Circuit.;The Catit Senses;is a toy that is designed to stimulate your cats need for hunt and;play and replicate that feeling they get when chasing their tail . ;The circuit contains a lot of high and low sections that get the ball inside moving at a pretty good pace, encouraging the cat to chase it.
The ball itself lights up to help encourage and entice playtime with your cat, and the large openings are made specifically for kitty paws, so there is little worry that your cat will get stuck or injured while playing with the Catit Senses.
The Ripple Rug
Another great option is something like The Ripple Rug. We had one of these and it lasted for years! It was such a great toy for Gabby. Eventually it did wear out a bit and we got rid of it, but we have been looking to buy another one.
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What Makes This Response Weird
As finicky and aloof as they might be, cats crave physical affection. Gentle scratches along the ears and chin can evolve into a rumbling purr and overpowering sleepy spell. Yet, this soothing reaction takes an unexpected detour as soon as the tail base becomes your prime target.
This weird response could range from mild to attention-grabbing, including:
- Long, drawn-out, high-pitched vocalizations
- Raising their butt upward
- Turning back to bite or nibble your hand
- Impulsively licking at the air or scratching her side
- Toppling over to the floor
- Seemingly marching or pacing in place
- A rippling appearance beneath the skin of the back
Even those who translate cat language quite well will struggle to understand this indecipherable code. Is the raised butt a good sign? Should you scratch harder or stop entirely? Are you toeing the line between friendly and aggressive?
These are all valid questions. The correct answer will depend on your cats personality, nerve sensitivity, and territorial instincts.
The domestic cats butt scratch reflex may seem absurd at first glance, but is it a natural response across the entire feline kingdom? The surprising answer lies in this video:
What To Do If Your Cat Bites His Tail Until It Bleeds
If the cause of the tail-biting is flea infestation then your vet will prescribe flea medicine in oral or topical form. If it was due to ringworm, then fungal treatment is the solution. For food allergies, your vet may recommend a hypoallergenic diet that should be strictly followed.;
For injuries or arthritis, your vet will most likely recommend antibiotics, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medication.
For FHS and behavioral causes, your vet may prescribe anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication and may recommend a cat behaviorist to correct the cats strange behavior. Anti-epileptic therapy may also be considered especially for extreme cases of FHS. Cat experts also recommend that you spend more quality playtime with your cats and to keep them busy by engaging them with the use of interactive toys. Some examples would be laser mice toys, feather wand toys, and toys that are attached to a string.
Encourage your pets to stay active by placing cat perches or even outdoor enclosures so they can roam in an outdoor area but within a secured perimeter. Your vet may also suggest that you train your cat to learn and perform at least a new trick each month to keep your cat mentally active. Click and treat training has been found to have positive outcomes.;;
For stud tail and cat acne, neutering your male cats may solve the problem and your vet may also prescribe an antiseborrheic shampoo to ease the irritation and hinder your pet from chewing and biting his tail.;
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Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails
Dogs are known for expressing their feelings through their tails, but theyre not the only pets that do so. Cats also use their tails to tell you what they want or don’t so learning how to interpret your cat’s tail twitches, flicks and wags can help you better anticipate and meet her needs. So, what does it mean when a cat wags its tail? We answer that question and provide some insights into cat tail body language below.
What Do The Different Ear Positions On A Cat Mean
There are five basic ear signals, revealing if the cat is feeling relaxed, alert, agitated, defensive or aggressive. When the ears are pointed forward and slightly outward, the cat is relaxed and carefully listening to everything that is going on around him. When his ears are erect and facing forward, the cat is alert and ready to investigate any noise that has been heard. When the ears twitch nervously back and forth, the cat is agitated or anxious, ready to defend itself. The ear twitching may also be accompanied by two quick flicks of the tongue around the lips. When the ears are flattened tightly against the head, the cat is signaling annoyance and is feeling defensive, and may strike at the slightest gesture towards him, simply because he is preparing to defend himself if necessary. A cat will pin the ears back to protect them during a fight. When feeling aggressive but not frightened, a cat’s ears will be in a position somewhere between alert and defensive.
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