Cats are inquisitive animals with endless energy.
It’s common for cats to start running around chasing after things including something as simple as a moving hand. If they notice movement, it will immediately capture their attention causing them to focus on the object.
This includes all types of objects and sometimes it also includes their tails!
You may end up wondering, why do cats chase their tails?
Cats chase their tail out of boredom because it’s interesting, fun, and keeps them busy. It’s common for cats to chase their tails at all ages and is a part of their playful mannerisms.
For the most part, there is nothing to worry about unless the cat is harming itself during playtime. At that point, you might have to figure out what has caused a cat to start chasing its tail and why was the change sudden.
This article will look at pointing towards some of the main reasons cats chase their tails from time to time.
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Reasons Cat Chases Its Tail
1. Boredom
Cats need a good amount of playtime to stay healthy.
You will often see them get agitated and restless when there’s nothing to do. This can include cats that don’t have anything to scratch or climb at home. When this happens, the cat has to take its built-up energy out somewhere and that can include chasing its tail.
A lot of cat owners talk about their pets scratching the sofa or making a mess around the house. This restlessness is a clear-cut sign the cat is simply not getting enough exercise during the day and is now bored.
To cut through the boredom, some cats will start playing with their tails.
It allows them to keep running in circles trying to get a hold of the tail. If this is something you notice then it might be time to make changes to the cat’s exercise schedule. You will want to buy new cat toys and make sure the cat has places to climb inside the house.
This will help keep the cat busy instead of chasing after its tail all the time.
2. Curious
A cat playing with its tail is likely curious.
The tail is going to be a part of the body your cat is commonly unaware of. This doesn’t mean the cat doesn’t understand the link between the tail and itself, but it might forget due to how the tail moves.
This will cause the cat to attack its tail from time to time.
The curiosity is going to get the better of your cat and it will start doing things that might seem odd. This curiosity is a real concern and it is something you are going to want to be aware of as a pet owner.
If you have a curious cat that is chasing its tail then you will want to give it another outlet. This can include setting up new cat toys or a cat tree at home.
3. Mesmerized By Tail’s Movement
When learning how to stop a cat to bite its tail, you will have to realize what attracts the cat to this part of its body.
The most common reason for a cat chasing its tail has to do with mesmerization. This means the cat notices the tail flicker and then can’t seem to let the idea go. It will want to hunt down the tail and stop its movement.
This is an instinct that is common to seeing moving prey in the wild and wanting to hunt it down. A good example would be bringing in a laser pointer and then getting the cat to chase it as the laser moves around.
The tail acts in the same manner.
A cat will notice the tail move and then want to go after it. This can cause the cat to attack its tail and try to get a hold of it.
Final Thoughts
Why do cats chase their tails?
Cats chase their tails out of boredom, wanting to have fun, and/or getting mesmerized by the movement. This curiosity is common in cats that are not getting enough exercise and are now seeking different ways to stimulate themselves.
It is important to invest in cat toys and make sure the environment is fun for the cat to be in. Just having a bed for the cat is not enough.
They need an outlet for all of their energy, especially at a younger age. If not, you are going to see all sorts of problems including a cat chasing its tail around.
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