If your cat is playing with its tail it could be for several reasons, so here are all the reasons why your cat is playing with its tail and especially how to recognize each cause in order to react to it correctly.
Cat playing with its tail: The causes and their solutions
If your cat plays with its tail, it is vital to find the cause, because this gesture is not always trivial, especially when it is compulsive in your feline. So here’s everything you need to know and how to act correctly.
He has a scratchy tail
If his tail has sores or a wound is present on it, your cat tries to grab his tail to avoid itching. So if the wounds are important, go see the veterinarian, otherwise, you can put a collar on the cat so that he does not touch it until he is completely healed, in order to prevent him from touching. wounds and do not aggravate them, possibly causing necrosis of the wound.
Ideally, apply cat balm for pain relief, so he won’t even be able to take the itch anymore while he heals, which will make it even easier for him not to touch his tail. so that your cat can heal quickly and if nothing changes, take him to the vet for proper treatment.
He has fleas
If your cat has fleas, you may see it scratching and some in its fur in the form of its coat, and in this case, your cat may seek to lick or bite its tail to get rid of the fleas. So to get rid of it, it will have to be dewormed, and in the meantime, an anti-flea shampoo for cats to relieve it temporarily.
In addition, if he is not dewormed, have him do a dewormer that will protect him from parasites present in the fields or even from mosquito larvae that can affect indoor cats. The dewormer will protect it from many parasites.
Finally, keeping his vaccination record up to date will also prevent him from problems that can affect his tail and his coat and skin in general.
Fleas often affect cats that rush into fields, real flea nests, but can reach all cats, even those who do not have access to the outside, although the probabilities are lower.
He is allergic
If your cat is allergic to pollen, dust mites or a new food, for example, it will also be itchy. So take a good look if he has runny eyes or if his nose is running. In which case it is an allergy.
To find the source, you can start by seeing if there have been any changes in the diet. Then, consult the pollen calendar which can tell you about a possible pollen allergy. Finally, if your cat shows these signs upon waking, it is probably an allergy to dust mites.
To treat his allergy, a veterinary treatment will be essential, except if it is an allergy related to food and which will require a dietary change towards a hypoallergenic diet. Once your cat has enough to no longer be sensitive to it, he can stop playing with his tail because the itching will have disappeared.
He has a disease
Older cats can have illnesses that affect their skin, so if your cat seems tired and jaded it is probably sick, if nothing passes quickly a vet appointment will be essential for your cat to recover , especially if his body is fragile.
The disease can also be mental, especially in cats at the end of their life, so if your cat has totally abnormal behavior, there too, a consultation will be necessary because mental degeneration cannot be corrected by a behaviorist.
He is stressed
A stressed cat may compulsively play with its tail. So, if your cat is stressed, you will see it with an agitated attitude, often with its ears back, ready to scratch at any time. The first thing to do will be to calm him with soothing sprays for cats which will certainly act on the surface but with an immediate effect.
Then find the cause of the stress, which can be noise, an animal or objects that make him think of dangers like cucumbers, so in this case, make sure your cat can see his source of stress suppressed, moved away, or acclimated to if it is another animal by spending time with the two to tame each other.
Don’t forget that for your cat not to be anxious, certain habits are essential, such as the fact that he can spend 10 to 15 minutes a day or that he has his personal corner in a calm and healthy place. The more favorable the environment, the calmer it will be. Exercise is all the more important here as your cat can play with its tail to expend its excess energy, especially if it has access to the interior.
He has energy to spend
Your cat has a lot of energy to expend when young, and if he does not have access to the outdoors, he will spend his time stimulating his hunting instinct with whatever he has at hand. , even flies or even wasps. So if your cat has energy to expend, it’s vital that he has something to burn off.
Start by giving him interactive games such as an electric fish that will allow him to sharpen his natural hunting instinct and ensure that he can exert himself normally. He can also play it independently if you don’t have time.
You can also use a laser pointing at the wall so he can practice hunting high up, which he loves, the idea is to channel his energy with games and toys that are designed for and that are essential for young indoor cats.
Young cats are always full of energy, because when they are young, the game allows them to better use their bodies, in particular to become better hunters in their natural state.
Cat playing with its tail: The final word
If your cat plays with its tail, it can do so for different reasons, so be sure to identify the cause to act as quickly as possible so that it can return to normal behavior.