What happens if you cut a cat's tail off?

Question

It seems that people are misunderstanding my question. I am not experimenting with my cat. Somebody swung my cat by the tail not (not me!!) and now it useless to him and has to be removed. I just wanted to know how it will effect his quality of life...i.e. depression and other side effects...>:(

Answer 1

I randomly found your question while trying to research the length of cat’s tails for a drawing. I'm sorry that people misunderstood your intentions. Maybe I can help you. I once had a cat with what I lovingly called a gimped tail. She was born with two bends near the tip that forced it into a candy cane curve which kind of made her look like she had a ball on the end of her tail. However, she was only a little awkward, and would just have to swing her tail around a lot to keep her balance at times. It didn’t seem to affect her happiness. She was a crazy happy cat and even mothered her own litter of kittens. However, she still had her tail with which to balance. I think I understand what you are asking. You want to know if you should humanly euthanize your pet so he doesn't suffer, or if he will be able to live happily without a tail. First, it would be good to think about your cat’s current life style. Is he an outside cat or an inside cat? An outside cat needs to be quick and agile to escape from danger. I don't think an outside cat would be as agile without his tail, however if you give him time inside to get accustom to it, he might adapt and be just fine. If your cat is an inside cat, as long as there isn’t something that he constantly needs to escape from (like a mean dog), I think he would be just fine too(maybe a little depressed at first, but who wouldn’t be! =) ). I know of three legged cats who live just contently with their owners and seemingly don’t notice that they only have 3 legs, so I’m sure a tailless cat would be ok too. Really, it is up to you if you want to spend the time to help reassure and rehabilitate your kitty after his tail is gone. Ask your vet, but I think a cat would have a perfectly fine life without his tail. I hope this helps you!

Here are some links that might help you with your decision

Answer 2

That's a job for the vet! I saw lots of cats born with just a stub for a tail not over 3 inches in South East Asia. I thought it was rather strange. But some places just a few miles away had long tails. I've always heard that docking a cat's tail will affect it's balance. But these cats had no problem, and they had a hard time of finding food. Some poor people would even butcher and eat cats and dogs if they could catch one!

Answer 3

I hope to god you a child simply asking an innocent question as I have just come in here for the first time to see if anyone has found my cat or knows where she might be she is ten years old and has never been gone this long and I am terrified that she has been taken by someone who wouldnt just ask but might just do.If anyone knows anyone in the Beenleigh area or surrounds who has aqquired a female Tortoise shell with tattoed ear please reply.Our little maltese Terrior was let out last week and run over .We are all beside ourselves now I have tried the pounds and will keep trying.

Answer 4

Hopefully you get sent to prison for a very very long time for cruelty I cannot believe some people are giving you tips!.

Cats can survive without a tail. There are some species of cats they do not have tails at all.

I hope to goodness you never contemplate doing it just to find out!

Answer 5

I hope this is not something you are thinking about doing.
As you know all animals like people experience fear and pain and that would be a very cruel and painful thing. It would be like someone cutting your penis off!

Many cats have lost their tails or had to have them amputated at the vets due to infections or things like that.

They will be fine and live life just like what people do to dogs like boxers. This must be taken care of by a vet and please don't think of doing anything mean, cruel and painful to an animal.

Answer 6

Physically, you'd damage the cat's sense of balance, and it'd take a long time for the cat to get used to it.

Legally, you'd most probably end up in prison for animal cruelty.

Answer 7

The cat would probably die and the person cutting the tail off should and will get prosecuted!!!!

Answer 8

If you cut a cats tail off, it will bleed for a while! Just bandage it up! the cat will be fine! There are plenty of bob-tailed cats out there!

Answer 9

i agree with all the above it is cruel also cats need there tail for balance

Answer 10

why would you want to cut a cat's tail =S