Does the loss of the tail affect a cats sense of balance?
A cat’s tail is obviously there for a reason. The tail is used for balance very much as a tightrope walker uses a long pole. If the cat is walking along a narrow ledge or fence and decides to peer over in one direction, he automatically moves his tail in the opposite direction. However, cats compensate quite well if the loss of their tail is because of an accident. If they weren’t, there’d be no Manxes in catdom. How can cats walk in snow and not get frozen paws? Cats’ footpads are very calloused areas, made of a modified type of skin that covers a thick cushion of connective tissue, making them much tougher than normal skin. Because these areas are thicker, they offer some protection against the cold. Where there is no calloused skin, there’s fur. Why don’t cats drink a lot of water? The cat’s ancestors were originally desert animals. Their kidneys have adapted incredibly well without much water. Their kidneys can eliminate many harmful toxins into the urine without needing much fluid
