can a cat live without a tail

Your feline friend can live without their tail – but that doesn’t mean tail injuries are something you don’t need to worry about. The many pieces of your cat’s tail link into their spine, making a tail injury potentially as serious as a spinal injury.

1 Answer 1 Sorted by:

From what I’ve observed and what I’ve researched, it essentially only affects balance. They do require some time to adjust to it. Their tail is an extension of their spine. In other words, part of their spine is contained in their tail. So they use their spine for balance landing etc. They lose a portion of their spine when they lose their tail. When that happens they lose some balance. The cat must therefore adjust to it to the point where he acts as though he has always had a tail.

Thanks for contributing an answer to Pets Stack Exchange!

Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!.

Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
expressing opinions and supporting them with references or firsthand knowledge

To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Draft saved Draft discarded.

7. The only cat species that can maintain a vertical tail while walking is the domestic cat. Wild cats’ tails are tucked between their legs or held horizontally.

6. Cats may indicate that they want other cats to smell them when they wag their tails in the air.

2. Tail injuries can cause permanent damage. Nerves that regulate the muscles of the tail and their ability to control urination and defecation are located in the tail. Pulling on the tail can cause nerve damage. While nerve damage may eventually heal, it is frequently irreversible.

1. Your cat’s tail helps them to balance. When cats walk on narrow surfaces, like shelves or fences, their tails assist in providing a sense of balance. When a cat is pursuing or leaping upon prey, its tail also helps with balance.

5. Cats use their tails to communicate. As with most animals, cats communicate mostly through body language. The tail is a great indicator of your cat’s mood.

Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password

Required, but never shown

FAQ

What happens to a cat with no tail?

The lack of a tail is usually caused by a genetic defect and this can have serious consequences. Cats with no tail may have a deformed spine which can affect the spinal cord and nerve supply to important organs. Other possible health issues could include early arthritis and bowel blockages.

What happens if cat loses its tail?

A cat’s tail can fall off, but it is rare. If it does happen, it is likely due to injury or illness. If your cat’s tail falls off, you should get them in to see a vet as soon as possible for treatment to ensure the condition that led to the tail falling off doesn’t get worse.

Do cat tails grow back?

The ability for an animal to regrow lost body parts is called regenerative ability and it varies across species. Some animals, such as lizards, can regrow lost tails, but mammals, including cats, do not have that ability. Once a cat loses its tail, it will not grow back.

Do cats need their tails to live?

Cats can live without tails. Even though cats use their tails for balance, if a cat’s tail needs to be amputated due to an injury, the cat will soon learn to compensate for the loss of their tail.