THE BABY IS PLAYING WITH THE CATS TAIL

ats are some of the most complex, curious and compassionate animals I know. Deciphering cat behavior is far more complicated and challenging than most other animals. Too often, we mistakenly apply canine experiences to explain why a feline acts a certain way. That doesn’t work. Cats are not small dogs.

A good example is understanding why cats wag their tails. For dogs, tail wagging is a clear signal of happiness, excitement or maybe a little nervousness. Some cats may wag their tails when happy, but for most felines, it’s an entirely different story.

For starters, cats don’t simply wag their tails. How they wag them, what their body looks like while wagging and when they wave their “fifth leg” all carry significant meaning. Decoding feline body language is a science with many unanswered questions. Let’s examine what we know about feline tail expressions and how it can help you be a better cat parent.