Did You Know??
July 30, 2026
All About Cat Tails
Candilee Jackson
Disclaimer
Welcome to my recurring column, “Did You Know ??,” a compilation of all sorts of feline trivia. As a disclaimer, a great deal of the material comes from my head, having lived with cats for 70-plus years, as well as from a mountain range-sized, most likely bottomless pit of cat trivia found online. Please note that some of the material will be sourced, some is from old wives’ tales, and some is just stuff I know. And, yeah, I tried to check out online sources for the head stuff … Please enjoy!
Introduction
The first thing I remember about cat tails was as a little kid. I was watching my grandmother perched in a high-backed wooden rocking chair, her nimble fingers and knitting needles clicking together as if they were flying. At her feet was George, our seal point “applehead” Siamese, tail swishing just in rhythm with the rocking of the chair. I remember wondering how George knew exactly when to move his tail to avoid it being squished. I never found the answer, and I do not remember George ever yowling and stalking off with a bruised tail and a loss of dignity.
What is it about a cat’s tail? Personally, there are times when I swear the cat does not believe the appendage even belongs to him! Kittens find their tails fascinating, often using them as toys to fight with. Cats find their tail plumage as extensions of their royal personage, practicing their tail wave with the precision of a queen.
“Tail-ology:” The Mysterious Cat’s Tail
So, what is the anatomy of a cat’s tail? There are six distinct muscles in a cat’s tail that work together to give the feline a huge range of motion. Additionally, there are small bones (vertebrae) and connective tissue that complete a tail’s anatomy. Depending on the breed, most cats have between 19 and 21 tail vertebrae, making their tails extremely flexible.3 “Most cats have around 250 bones in their body (it can vary because of the bones in the tail), which means that almost 10 percent of a cat’s bones are in the tail alone!”3 The cartilage in the tail is what makes it so flexible.3
“On average, a domestic cat’s tail is 12 inches long. But what sometimes makes the cat’s tail look so impressive is the fact that their bodies are only 18 inches on average (without their tail). That means their tail is more than half the length of their entire body!”
Author’s note: I wonder how many of you will now go and measure your cat’s tail?
Cat Tails Reveal A Story
Cats use their tails to communicate, not just with us humans, but with other cats as well. A proud, upstanding tail usually indicates happiness and a sense of safety, while a “bottle-brush” tail is a statement of fear or anger, and often a marker of territory. A tail that is swishing quickly is definitely a sign of annoyance, or it could be a sign of teasing another cat or kitten.
Balance: A Cat’s Superpower
“Cats often curl their tails around people they love – it is an affectionate greeting reserved for their favorite people. They will also wrap their tails around other cats with whom they’ve formed deep bonds. That famous puffy tail look is technically called piloerection, and it is a sure sign you’re looking at a frightened cat, and a butt wiggle accompanied by a swishing tail often precedes a soon-to-be–unleashed pounce.”2
“Cats have exceptional balance! They can race along high railings and reach high perches with stunning accuracy. Cats manipulate their tails to balance themselves and use their last 20 vertebrae as a counterweight.”2 Tails are also arbiters of balance, giving them confidence in negotiating narrow ledges, tree limbs, or the tops of fences. The tail also enhances jumping and leaping, giving balance and direction.
Bobtail, Manx, and Other Cats Without Tails
“Okay, I got it: use their tails for communication and balance, but what about breeds that don’t have tails, or have bobtails?” These cats STILL communicate with humans and other cats using other parts of their bodies, and if they have a bobtail, emotions are very visible, especially when frightened or angry. The ears, face, whiskers, and body posture are excellent indicators of a cat’s demeanor. Our naturally tailless breeds (Japanese Bobtails and Manx) have also evolved so that their back legs are somewhat longer to compensate for their lack of a tail as a balancing aid.
So, What About Big, Wild Cats?
Much the same as their domestic relatives, lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and other wild felines use their tails similarly. However, where domestic cats move about with their tails proud and held high, “a sign of confidence and comfortable surroundings,”2 wild felines prefer to keep their tails either between their legs or parallel to the ground during leisurely strolls.2
A Tail Warning: NO PULLING ALLOWED!
Pulling on a cat’s tail will not only cause pain to the cat but can also result in a severe or even a life-threatening injury. The nerves of the tail branch out from the spinal column and control critical functions like defecation, urination, and even movement in the hind limbs. A serious injury to the tail can lead not only to pain but also to incontinence, limping, and other spinal issues.3
And the Tail End …
Watch your cat the next time they get the zoomies. Their tail will inevitably go in the opposite direction of where they’re headed, helping their hips and hind legs adjust. The cat’s tail is not there just for looks, and this amazing appendage is part of a cat’s expressive spine!
References
1. Avelle, Nico. 2025. “Why Do Cats Have Tails? All About the Expressive Spine Extension.” Animals: How Stuff Works. September 23. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-do-cats-have-tails.htm
2. Luther, Lorre. 2025. “Ten Vet-verified Facts About Your Cat’s Tail.” The Vet Desk. October 29. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://thevetdesk.com/pet-lifestyle/cats/facts-about-cats-tail/
3. Michael, Logan. 2021. “Nine Cat Tail Questions Answered!” Life Is Better With Cats. April 16. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://betterwithcats.net/cat-tail-anatomy-bones-muscles/