We all know dogs, especially puppies, chase their own tails, so it can seem odd when we see our cats do it. What does it mean when felines chase or even bite and attack their own tails? Should you be worried? In this article, we will give you the lowdown on what you need to know about tail chasing in cats.
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Content:
Why Do Cats Chase Their Tails
It’s perfectly normal for kittens and young cats to chase their tails out of playfulness. This is simply a way for them to practice their hunting instincts and develop motor skills. IIn short, if they see something move (including their own tail), it’s normal for them to chase it. However, tail chasing can also be a sign of boredom, especially in indoor cats with high energy levels.
According to a Reddit user, “My cats do that playfully... No injury to her at all; she does this on a regular... As long as there is no injury or biting of the tail then you should be fine”.
However, it is not always harmless. Anytime a cat starts doing something odd, especially an older cat, it’s important to watch them closely. When tail chasing becomes obsessive or causes harm, there are a few more serious possible causes, including some kinds of seizures and other disorders.
If you are worried that your cat’s behavior is a problem, (or just cute) setting up a Petcube camera can help you keep an eye on it to figure out whether or not it may be a problem behavior.
Why Do Cats Attack Their Tails
Occasionally, tail chasing can become more severe, leading to cats attacking or biting their tail. There could be a number of underlying causes for this such as stress, anxiety, or physical discomfort (allergies or skin conditions) that can cause a cat to focus on its tail. This includes partial seizures where cats may do things such as chase their tail (any many other odd behaviors) for several minutes.
Partial seizures can have many causes, ranging from kidney or liver disease to epilepsy. They also tend to happen when there's a change in their brain activity, such as when they wake up or become excited or stressed.
More concerning is the rare condition known as Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS).
Dr. Adrianna Michniewicz explains, "The feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) of cats appears as episodes of rippling or rolling skin along the lumbar spine... If these episodes occur more frequently, other types of behavior or symptoms may also arise, such as excessive licking and chewing of the hair".
Conclusion
So, in short, if your cat or kitten is occasionally chasing their tail, they are normally just playing or possibly bored. But if it seems like they are doing it excessively and showing behavior changes, you need to get your cat checked out and make sure they don’t have skin or neurological problems that may be causing bigger underlying issues such as partial seizures.
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