Over the years, you might have read a lot of stories about Siamese cats. You know them to have a sleek and distinctive appearance. But one thing you might not have noticed about this species of cat is its tail. Many ask —Why do Siamese cats have crooked tails?
Siamese cats have crooked tails because of a peculiar inbreeding genetic trait. Trauma, nerve damage, and infections can cause tails to be bent. Tails that are damaged and don’t heal properly can also become crooked.
A popular legend supporting the reason for kink tail in Siamese cats has to do with them providing extra security for a royal goblet. In the course of doing this, their tails became permanently bent. In this article, we are going to consider different reasons Siamese cats have crooked tails. We will also give answers to some frequently asked questions. Finally, we’ll also give tips on how to identify cats with broken tails.
Reasons Your Cat Has a Crooked Tail
There are a few reasons Siamese cats have crooked tails. The following highlights the common reasons for a crooked tail:
Trauma
Trauma is one of the common reasons why cats end up with a kinked tail. Just like the limbs, a cat’s tail can be completely broken or dislocated. Not only is that painful for the cat, but if it heals wrong, your cat may be stuck with a tail that’s crooked for the remainder of its life.
If a cat undergoes trauma and the tail gets fractured, there is a high chance of the tail not healing properly.
If the tail doesn’t heal well, the tail may become permanently kinked. But the good thing is that kinked tails are generally harmless.
It’s not always obvious when a cat has broken its tail. You’ll need to look for slow movements and sensitivity to the area. If that’s the case, then they’ll need corrective surgery before the tail fully heals. Although the tail may look straight while it’s in a broken state, over time you’ll begin to notice it curve into a more crooked position.
Genetics
Every cat is born with its’s own sort of genetic individuality. These traits travel from generation to generation and they have an impact on how cats will look. When it comes to Siamese cats, it’s no different.
Crooked tails in cats are generally hereditary in Siamese cats. The reason for crooked tails in most cats is due to inbreeding.
For example, a crooked tail is a common recessive genetic trait common to Siamese cats. But it should be noted that not all Siamese cats have kink tails. In fact, you’ll find the overwhelming majority have normal, straight tails.
Furthermore, it is very rare to see a Siamese cat with a crooked tail these days. The genetic trait has been bred out.
Nerve damage
Another cause of a kinked tail in cats is nerve damage. The tail in cats houses nerves that control cats’ tail muscles.
These nerves can become damaged due to trauma or disease. When this happens, the tail might become permanently crooked.
The tail might also become floppy or a complete loss of movement in the tail.
Sometimes the nerve damage can result in sudden flickers in the tail. This means your cat literally has no control over it. It’s a sad sight, but entirely preventable if you monitor your cat regularly and check for injuries if you know your cat is a particularly active one.
Thankfully with advances in medical technology, nerve damage can be worked on so that your cat can have better functionality in its tail if it does become seriously injured.
Self-mutilation
This is an extreme reason some cats have crooked tails. Cats who engage in this most of the time have an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
As a cat owner, you should pay keen attention to your feline. The reason your cat is chewing its tail may not be unconnected to a skin issue. Sometimes it can also be Pica in which your cat has a deficiency in nutrients.
The moment you notice a weird behavior in your cat, do not hesitate to call your vet.
Infection
With as many diseases that are out there, it’s entirely possible for your Siamese cat to catch an infection at some point.
Infection around the tail might also cause the tail of a Siamese cat to appear bent. This does not occur suddenly like fracture or trauma. Most times, it occurs over some time.
When you discover the infection early, the chances of your feline having a kinked tail is low.
The likelihood of your Siamese cat getting an infection in its tail is quite low. If they are an indoor cat the risk is almost zero. However, if you have an active cat that is also an outdoor cat, there is little that you can do to stop potential infections and parasites.
Is It Normal For Siamese Cats To Have Crooked Tails
It is not normal for Siamese cats to have crooked tails. Although in reality, a significant amount of Siamese cats have a kink in their tails.
Apart from the kinked tail, Siamese cats are also known to have crossed eyes, bad dentition, and some other problems.
Kinked tails seem no longer attractive in this modern world as they used to be long ago.
Siamese cats breeders have selectively eliminated this trait by breeding Siamese cats without a kink in their tails.
Siamese cats originated in Thailand (formerly known as Siam). In Thailand today, kinked tail cats are not as common as they used to be.
Can Cats Be Born With A Kinked Tail
Yes, some cats are born with a kinked tail. Many Siamese cats generally had kinked tails. A cat being born with a kink in its tail does not affect its overall health.
A wide range of tail abnormalities occurs in cats. A cat’s tail may be modulated or bent. Most tail abnormalities in cats are often hereditary.
Experts have noticed that tail defects in cats often skip one generation only to appear in the next one!
A study also suggests that a short or a kinked tail in Asian cats is a dominant trait due to mutation.
The kinks in Siamese cats are commonly divided into three categories which are:
● Minor kink
● Medium kink
● Extreme kink
Minor kink; a state in which a tail has a slight shortening (25cm long) with a kink at the distal end.
Medium kink; describes a tail with a notable truncation (10-20cm long) at the proximal or distal end.
Extreme kink describes a bobtail with severe truncation (less than 10 cm long) and multiple kinks.
Can A Kinked Tail Be Fixed
No, a kinked tail can not be fixed. Attempting to fix a kinked tail for your feline would likely result in severe pain for your feline.
There is no ethical way to fix a kinked tail. Since a kinked tail causes no harm, there is absolutely no point trying to fix it.
Another procedure commonly used is the painful fracturing of the tail bones to reposition them. If this method fails, amputation of the kinked part of the tail is another option.
If the kinked tail of your Siamese feline is due to trauma and it’s not complicated, all you need to do is to make your feline take sufficient rest.
Kinked tails, due to trauma, would most times heal on their own.
How Do You Tell If Your Cat Has A Broken Tail
When your cat’s tail is broken, the tail becomes floppy, and your feline would also be in severe pain.
Other signs that may indicate your feline has broken its tail include the following:
● Lack of tail movement
● Bleeding
● Puffy tail
● Inability to control bowel movements
● Hiding and crying
If you notice a few combinations of these symptoms are found in your feline, arrange an appointment with your vet.
Before meeting your vet, make sure your feline gets enough rest.
Injuries to the tail around the base are even more dangerous. The nerves and the blood vessels might be damaged as well.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
Along with our team of cat owners, expert pet enthusiasts, and pet professionals, we aim to write engaging helpful, engaging content about cats. At FAQCats we strive to provide content that’s accurate and fun to read. Our team writes about everything related to cats; even the most complex of topics. Through extensive research and caring for our own fur-pals, we’re able to provide something cat owners worldwide will love. Have a look around, and leave us feedback anytime!