My cat's tail is drooping. Is it serious? Should I see a vet?

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When a cat is holding their tail lower or not able to move it around normally it can indication an issue with the sacrum, an injury to the tail, or even a neurologic issue. If Dora seems to be acting otherwise normally (eating and drinking normally, walking normally and without a limp or stiffness, not hiding, still grooming, using the litter box normally) it may be okay to wait until tomorrow. However, this could be a sign of pain and heat can be from inflammation or infection. If you are concerned that Dora is in pain it may be worth it to make a trip to the emergency veterinarian for peace of mind. And certainly if Dora is not walking normally, not eating or drinking or having trouble urinating or defecating you should definitely see a veterinarian tonight. Good luck and I hope Dora is feeling better soon!

Poor Sarah! It sounds like she may have injured her tail when she fell. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam. He/she can take x-rays if needed to check for any problems, and can also prescribe pain medication or anti-inflammatories for her if needed.

Poor Cachou! It sounds like from your description that he has hurt his tail, and it is concerning that he cannot lift it at all. I would be afraid he may have broken his tail preventing him from lifting it. Given it's been two days now and he meows in pain every time you try to lift it, it's time for him to see a vet. I recommend a physical exam and x-rays of the tail. Once the cause of his pain is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. He would also benefit from pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I would take Cachou into a vet today if possible; if not, take him in first thing in the morning. I hope this helps!

It sounds like Honey has likely hurt herself in this region. She may have got her tail trapped and hurt a nerve or muscle. Have a feel and see if there are any obvious lumps or pain. Another cause could be if her anal glands are impacted, your vet can check these. Hopefully if it is a pull injury it will get better with time.

It could be Lana has injured her tail. Keep an eye on her tonight and if she is still acting this way in the morning, have her seen by a vet. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. I hope this helps!

I am sorry to hear about Matilda! It is definitely possible to have a broken tail. We can see fractures, and also trauma to the nerves that can affect the tail. I would recommend a visit to your vet. They can examine the tail and likely will want to take an x-ray to check for fractures. They can prescribe pain medication to make her more comfortable and decide the best treatment to help her.

Your cat may have had an injury to the tail that cut off the blood supply and that piece died. Your cat should be checked by your vet to see if there is any repair or further damage that should be addressed.