Why Does My Cat Chase Its Own Tail?
Cats are an endless source of funny moments, especially on the internet. However, if a cat is chasing its own tail, it might not be fun for it. It is necessary to consider some fundamentals to confirm that this is a play behavior and not a sign of disorder.
The reasons for this curious behavior mechanism change throughout the different phases of the feline’s life. In this article, you’ll find a linear review of the topic and some ways to fix this behavior if it turns out to be a problem.
chases tail as a puppy
In childhood, like other animals, cats learn to develop in the world and for that they must explore. Thanks to this behavioral trait, they learn what is harmful or dangerous and what is fun, although somewhat eclectic behaviors can be observed along the way.
When a chick chases its own tail, it’s likely to be developing its hunting instincts by play. In fact, this behavior is very common at this stage of life.
It’s also a way to release energy and you’ll definitely notice this behavior when the cat suddenly starts jumping and playing. Also, if it’s an animal that doesn’t leave the house, it will need more playtime for fun, so the animal can chase its tail more than usual.
What if the cat that usually chases the tail is an adult?
In adulthood, things change: the feline has learned to hunt, play and respect limits. That’s why the fact that the cat is chasing its own tail is a more worrying issue when it’s older.
At this stage of life, the cat should be mature enough to know that its tail is not a toy. Therefore, if he repeatedly exhibits this behavior, you may be dealing with stereotyping or compulsive behavior. Some of the causes of this pathological sign in adult cats are as follows:
- Lack of stimulation: if the feline does not have enough environmental enrichment in its daily life, boredom can lead it to develop stereotypies.
- Socialization deficit: whether with other cats or with humans, if this aspect is neglected, compulsive behaviors can arise.
- Stress and/or Anxiety: Cats are very sensitive to stress. For some individuals, a small change in routine can cause great discomfort.
- Traumatic episodes: A bad experience, such as abuse or neglect, can affect a feline’s mental health in several ways.
If you know of a case or think your cat may be suffering from it, it’s important to work to correct the problem and stop its evolution. To do this, check out some tips below.
How to avoid or correct this stereotypy
Once correctly diagnosed the origin of this behavior, the first step is to enrich your cat’s daily life. Here are some of the many ways to do this:
- Socialize with him daily: you live with a feline, why not enjoy his company? Whether playing with the animal or watching it while it plays, you will have fun and it will feel accompanied.
- Locate and eliminate all sources of stress: sometimes it can be a little difficult to know what is bothering the animal, but it is important to suppress these stressors, otherwise recovery will not be possible.
- Rule out physical illnesses: A condition such as external parasitosis can be the cause of a cat chasing its own tail. In this case, as well as in the presence of pain, the cat also bites its tail.
As with all behavior problems, the last recommendation is always that, when in doubt, you go to an expert for advice. Stereotypies can be corrected, but if we allow them to evolve, they can have dire consequences at all levels. For example, the cat can even mutilate its tail or injure itself severely.
The recipe par excellence to prevent the appearance of behavioral problems is to have a good relationship with the animal and enrich your daily life with good times and intellectual challenges. The synergy between you and your cat can only bring you moments of happiness, so be sure to work on it.
