Watching cats sometimes playfully battle with their own tails inevitably raises the question: what do they need them for? Animals wag their tails when something displeases them, and rub their tails against their owners when they demand attention. But are these really important functions?
Cats, like other vertebrates, have fully functional tails that serve several important purposes. Tails help them maintain balance, land, communicate, and sense the surrounding world.
Balance
Thanks to their tails, cats can move elegantly along narrow surfaces and thin fences. In such situations, the tail acts as a support, similar to how a person's hands help maintain balance on a narrow curb. If a cat injures its paw, the tail becomes especially important as it begins to 'compensate' for the injured limb. Many breeds undergo tail docking, but even bobtails have short tails that they rely on actively.
Landing
The well-known rule that 'a cat always lands on its feet' is possible because of the tail. During a fall, a cat uses its tail to rotate its body, allowing it to adjust its position. The tail also helps to quickly change direction during sharp turns, which is crucial during hunting.
Communication
Cats can communicate in various ways: they can purr, meow, hiss, or attract attention through tactile means. However, like humans, they also use non-verbal communication through body language. Ears, posture, and squinting can tell a lot about a pet's mood, but it is the tail that most accurately reflects its intentions. Unfortunately, specialists have not yet developed a 'dictionary' of all tail positions, so owners must study their pets' behavior on their own.
Touch
A large part of the information about the surrounding world is perceived through touch. We are fortunate to have hands and sensitive skin, while cats have to explore the world using their whiskers and tails. This is why many cats do not like their tails to be touched or petted, as they contain numerous nerve endings that help them navigate space and sense their environment.
