Starting about 3 days ago my cat starts constantly chasing her tail up to almost 1 hour a day, should I be worried?
tga
How old is your cat? When kittens engage in this behavior, it's mostly because they notice their tail moving and go into "attack" mode. But a adult cat who does this for an hour may have underlying issues. I mean, not in every case, but an hour is a long time for an adult cat to perform a repetitive action like that.
From Ask a Vet:
Adult cats may occasionally chase their tail for entertainment as well, especially if they did it frequently as a kitten. However, since most adult cats mature out of tail chasing, if your cat suddenly starts chasing his tail, it is important to recognize that he could be trying to tell you something.
An adult cat might be chasing his tail out of boredom or to relieve stress, especially if you notice that when doing it, he is not biting or damaging his tail. If you see this new behavior and it seems to coincide with changes in the household routine, try to ensure that your cat has plenty of stimulation (laser pointers are great distractions!) and interactive toys. This will help your cat focus more on the toys and less on his tail.
Sometimes though, when an adult cat suddenly begins chasing his tail, it could be the result of an underlying health issue and you will want to consult with your vet. It could be that your furry friend is not playing with his tail but is reacting to pain or itchiness as a result of an infection or from skin allergies. In rare cases, the cat could be suffering from feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS), which is caused by overactive nerve endings that cause a tingling sensation in the tail and sensitivity to touch.
Tail chasing can be completely normal depending on the age of the cat and the environmental situation. Kittens are highly likely to chase their tails and some adult cats who are extra playful or bored when left alone too often may do it as well. However, if your adult cat starts chasing her tail and that is not something she has done before, know that she might not be playing and have a talk with your vet to rule out any medical concerns.
From Ask a Vet:
Adult cats may occasionally chase their tail for entertainment as well, especially if they did it frequently as a kitten. However, since most adult cats mature out of tail chasing, if your cat suddenly starts chasing his tail, it is important to recognize that he could be trying to tell you something.
An adult cat might be chasing his tail out of boredom or to relieve stress, especially if you notice that when doing it, he is not biting or damaging his tail. If you see this new behavior and it seems to coincide with changes in the household routine, try to ensure that your cat has plenty of stimulation (laser pointers are great distractions!) and interactive toys. This will help your cat focus more on the toys and less on his tail.
Sometimes though, when an adult cat suddenly begins chasing his tail, it could be the result of an underlying health issue and you will want to consult with your vet. It could be that your furry friend is not playing with his tail but is reacting to pain or itchiness as a result of an infection or from skin allergies. In rare cases, the cat could be suffering from feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS), which is caused by overactive nerve endings that cause a tingling sensation in the tail and sensitivity to touch.
Tail chasing can be completely normal depending on the age of the cat and the environmental situation. Kittens are highly likely to chase their tails and some adult cats who are extra playful or bored when left alone too often may do it as well. However, if your adult cat starts chasing her tail and that is not something she has done before, know that she might not be playing and have a talk with your vet to rule out any medical concerns.
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