A cats tail is made up of a specialized set of muscles, bones, and skin that helps them balance, communicate, and express themselves. A cat tail has 19 to 23 vertebrae, about 10 percent of the total number of bones in their body. The bones that make up a cats tail are known as caudal vertebrae. These bones extend all the way to the end of the tail and get progressively smaller as they get close to the end of the tail. The tail is made mostly of bone and cartilage, and it contains connective tissue (ligaments and tendons), muscle, blood vessels, skin, and fur. The average cat tail length for a male is 11 inches, and for a female, its 9.9 inches. The tail acts as a counterweight when the cat walks along narrow surfaces like fence tops or chair backs, and it helps a running cat to stay standing as they make sharp turns in pursuit of prey or their favorite toy. Cats also use their tails to express a range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to fear and aggression.