I adore my Siberian cat Alexei’s tail. It is so big and fluffy, and I love how it flicks and sways depending on his mood.
So sure, I enjoy his tail, but why do cats have tails? And does he even need one in the first place? I obviously don’t have one, but I have always thought it must be quite fun to have a tail.
Anyway, I digress. From using it for balance and having fun while chasing their tails, here are 8 reasons why cats have tails.
This is particularly important when they are walking or running along narrow ledges such as fences or shelves. Their tail is a counterbalance.
Your cat’s tail is a key indicator of its mood. We all know that a wagging tail in a dog generally means it is happy.
If your cat is around other kitties and puts its tail in the air, this is a sign that the other cats are welcome to come and have a good sniff around.
Have you noticed that often when your cat curls up and has a snooze, they wrap their tail around themselves? This is to keep them warm whilst they nap or sleep.
If there are insects around your cat or a smell that they don’t like, they can whack their tail around a bit to try to clear the area of whatever is bothering them.
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