Why Do Cats Chase Their Tails?

​Have you ever seen a cat chase its tail? While it is stereotyped as a dog behavior this is definitely something that cats do too. But why do cats chase their tails?

While it might look amusing and silly to us there is always a reason for a cat chasing their tail. Whether that is a fun reason or one that is a bit more serious will depend on the underlying cause. 

Let’s look at some reasons why cats chase their tails. 

​Entertainment

​Despite their reputation for being creatures that do little but sleep all day only waking up to eat, cats can actually get bored.

This may be especially true for house cats that spend little or no time outside or who have no siblings to play with. 

A cat has a high prey drive and will chase small things that move. That could be a mouse, spider or their tail.

Kittens will often chase their tails as a game that actually serves a useful purpose, hunting. This is an instinctive reaction to movement and is not harmful. 

If your cat chases its tail a lot, and you know there is no health reason then you can invest in some cheap or homemade cat toys to entertain and distract your cat.

​A feather tied to a string or a laser point works well but remember to reward your cat when they make a ‘kill’. 

​Allergies

​Unfortunately sometimes there is a less amusing reason for your cat chasing their tail, allergies. This may take some detective work on your part and will probably involve a trip to the vet. 

Allergies can be caused by food or something in their environment. Allergies don’t limit themselves to a cat’s tail, and they will be itchy all over.

​If your cat is chasing their tail a lot, seems distressed or is scratching then an allergic reaction to something is a possibility. 

Try changing their food or any new bedding they may be sleeping on. If you can’t solve the problem yourself then the vet may have to prescribe antihistamines. In cases where the allergy is severe steroids may be needed. 

Scratching vigorously because of allergies can lead to your cat getting an infection so if changing food and bedding don’t work go see your vet. 

​Fleas

​Fleas are a common problem especially for outdoor cats who mingle with the neighborhood animals.

​Signs of fleas can include your cat chasing their tail. This is because the area at the base of the tail is where fleas like to congregate. 

Your cat may be trying to bite its tail to relieve the itching caused by flea bites. Check your cat for fleas by parting their fur to see if there are any adult fleas on them or lumps on their skin from bites. 

Evidence of fleas is also seen as spots of what looks like dirt where your cat has been sleeping. You will also see them scratching and biting themselves a lot.  

Treat your cat regularly for fleas and wash their bedding on a hot wash to kill any fleas or eggs on there. Untreated flea infestations are very distressing for cats and should never be ignored. 

​Infection

​An infection in your cat is a very serious condition and the discomfort could be why your cat is chasing their tail.
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The infection may be around the tail area such as in the anus glands or in another part of the cat’s body. 

Outdoor cats can get into fights and end up with secondary infections from bites or scratches.

If your cat has obvious signs of injury from a fight it is worth a trip to the vet to get them checked out and potentially give them some preventative antibiotics. 

An infection in a cat’s tail is quite serious and should be dealt with immediately, or it could spread to the rest of the cat’s body. 

​Stud Tail

​Stud tail is also called a supracaudal gland infection. It occurs in male cats who have not been neutered.

​It is caused by sebaceous glands at the base of the tail which become overactive. Normally these glands produce oil to keep a cat’s fur soft. 

However, an overproduction leads to an unpleasant build up of a waxy substance that causes irritation at the base of a male cat’s tail. If it becomes severe or the cat is biting the area it can cause an infection. 

Ways to resolve stud tail are to have your cat neutered and to ensure good hygiene. 

​Hyperesthesia Syndrome

​Hyperesthesia syndrome is a rare disease that can affect cats of all ages. It is also called psychomotor epilepsy or twitch-skin syndrome.

The symptoms include tingling in the cat's tail which can cause them to chase their tails.

They will also be extra sensitive to touch in the area. Other symptoms include the cat running around as if in a panic for 20-30 seconds before settling down again. 

Episodes can last seconds or several minutes and include violent swishing of the tail, or  licking and biting.

​There is no known exact cause for this syndrome and so there is no way to diagnose it except through elimination of other causes for the erratic behavior. 

It is thought that a combination of factors may be associated with cases and nervous or hyperactive cats seem to be more prone to it. 

Although the syndrome can occur in any breed of cat it seems to particularly affect purebred cats such as Siamese, Abyssinians, Himalayans and Burmese. 

​Final Thoughts

Tail chasing can be a completely normal behavior for a cat and may often just be a way to relieve boredom.

​However, in some cases there is an underlying medical reason for why a cat is exhibiting this behavior. 

If your cat is chasing their tail a lot or biting it as well it is worth looking into the possible causes. Always consult a veterinarian if you are at all concerned. 
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