Cats do have voluntary control over their tails, much like other body parts, thanks to the vertebrae, muscles, and nerves extending from their spine.

Tail Anatomy Basics

A cat's tail contains 19-23 vertebrae, connected by muscles, ligaments, and tendons for flexibility and precise movement. This structure allows cats to maneuver it intentionally, from base to tip, for tasks like balancing on ledges or signaling emotions. Nerves provide sensation and control, though the spinal cord doesn't fully extend into the tail.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Movements

Cats consciously control many tail actions, such as holding it upright when happy or curling it for balance during jumps. However, rapid flicking or twitching often stems from reflexes via the autonomic nervous system, especially during irritation or overstimulation—less "chosen," more automatic. Forum discussions on Reddit highlight this mix: users note tails aid righting reflexes (subconscious) yet sway smoothly when relaxed (conscious).

Communication Through Tails

Tail positions reveal moods: high and quivering means excitement; low and tucked signals fear. Experts like feline behaviorists explain these as deliberate expressions, helping cats "speak" without words. In trending pet forums, owners share stories of misreading twitches as playfulness when it's actually annoyance.

Balance and Survival Role

Tails act as counterweights for agility, swinging to adjust mid-air for perfect landings—showing fine motor control. Without full tail control (e.g., in tailless breeds like Manx), cats struggle more with coordination. Recent 2025 articles emphasize this evolutionary perk for wild and domestic cats alike.

TL;DR: Yes, cats control their tails voluntarily for balance and expression, but reflexive twitches add an involuntary layer—decoding both improves bonding.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.