Kittens and adult cats are generally playful animals, and tail-chasing can be a normal, playful behaviour. They also like to hunt prey, and seeing their tail moving can stimulate that prey drive to chase. They don’t realise that it is their own tail – it’s moving, so they grab at it. When bored, some cats might chase their tails to entertain themselves.
Sometimes, it can be a sign of a health issue – maybe she is in pain and it is being referred into the tail, so the cat is trying to get to the source of the pain. If you think it could be health-related, then take your cat to the vet for a check-up.
Kathy Clayton, behaviourist
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