Cats differ from humans in that they still retain their tails. This does not mean cats are a lower species; it simply indicates that the tail is very important to them. For example, a cat's tail helps maintain balance, and the nervous system in the tail is highly developed, forming part of its tactile sense. Additionally, the tail can express various emotions and behaviors. Of course, besides having many functions, the tail also feels nice to the touch and is characterized by being small and delicate.

　　Regarding the characteristics of a cat's tail, its base connects to the terminal nerves of the spine, stimulating the cat’s sensory nervous system, making it the most sensitive part of the cat. The tail is also key for expressing emotions and balancing the body in felines. If damaged, cats may vomit or walk unsteadily, so it's not a matter of whether the cat likes it, but rather that one should avoid pulling a cat's tail forcefully whenever possible.

　　A cat's tail is connected to the caudal vertebrae and plays a role in balancing the body during movement. We often see cats fall from high places, yet they usually land gracefully with no injuries. Much of this is thanks to the tail. When a cat falls through the air, it stretches its tail straight and continuously twists it until the tail points in the correct direction. Then, it turns its body to align with the tail in a straight line, landing on all four paws. Therefore, cats generally do not get hurt falling from typical heights and can land steadily.

　　Since a cat’s tail has so many uses, do we often play with it? Especially children, who are curious about everything. They often notice the long thing behind a cat’s rear and find it interesting, so they can't help but touch it. However, young children have one common trait—they put anything they grasp into their mouths. If a child grabs a cat's tail and also puts it into their mouth, the consequences could be serious. We all know cats can be aloof, and their tails are very sensitive. Touching it carelessly can have very serious consequences. An agitated cat might scratch or bite a child, which is something parents definitely want to avoid.

　　Additionally, for adults, some may grab a cat’s tail while playing or to discipline the cat if it has done something wrong. However, after grabbing the tail, some have noticed that the cat experiences physical discomfort or even diarrhea. So, can pulling the tail really cause diarrhea? Actually, there is no evidence that pulling a tail necessarily causes diarrhea. But if forceful pulling causes nerve damage, diarrhea symptoms cannot be ruled out. Cats are sensitive creatures, and their mental state significantly affects them. If diarrhea does occur after the tail is pulled, it is more likely that the cat was startled or stressed, which could result in gastrointestinal dysfunction or trigger latent illnesses.

　　So, there is a correct way to hold a cat: one hand grasps the loose skin at the back of the cat’s neck while the other supports the cat’s lower back or hindquarters, allowing most of the cat’s weight to rest on the supporting hand. Alternatively, place one hand under the cat’s chest and gently hold the front legs. Before catching a cat, get familiar with it for a while by gently patting its forehead or stroking its back; after picking it up, immediately soothe the cat by gently stroking its head to calm it down quickly, which is safer.

　　In summary, the consequences of grabbing a cat’s tail have two aspects: for humans, it may result in injury; for cats, it can cause stress, and severe stress can lead to various symptoms. Therefore, in daily life, we should try to avoid grabbing a cat's tail.