Cats have a reputation for being unpredictable, scratching without warning. While every cat, like every dog, has a unique temperament, their behavior is more predictable than many cat novices realize. Since dog ownership is more common than cat ownership, and dogs are more frequently taken out in public, people tend to be more familiar with dog body language.
Cat body language is different, but it’s still possible to learn to read it. A cat twitching its tail, for example, isn’t happy to see you. While a dog wagging their tail is a good thing, it’s a sign of annoyance for cats. Once you learn to read cat mannerisms, you’re much less likely to receive an unpleasant swipe.
It’s also worth noting that, while dogs are viewed as more outgoing and friendly, they’re far more likely to deliver a serious bite than cats are. Nearly 80 percent of pet-related ER visits were caused by dogs, while only about 20 percent were attributed to felines. Dogs are usually larger and therefore have greater potential to cause injuries serious enough to need medical attention, but even so, the idea that cats are aggressive and unpredictable by nature is totally unfair and statistically inaccurate.
