I think a cat has to be the best pet anyone can have. That said, I love all animals, but a cat is just such an independent creature yet also a very friendly loving animal.
I think a cat has to be the best pet anyone can have. That said, I love all animals, but a cat is just such an independent creature yet also a very friendly loving animal.
To me, they are totally different animals and fullfil different roles in my life. I couldn't really say I preferred one species to the other because they are so different. And then I love rabbits too... quite different again and prey animals instead of predators but fascinating little characters.
I adore my cats and wouldn't be without them, although having grown up with dogs, I do miss the "getting out and about with them" and the fact you can call them and they come running to smother you in kisses and cuddles.
As I type this, both my lovely cats are fast asleep on my bed, I know if my parents dog was here, he'd be snuggled up next to me.
I just chose cats because I knew I couldn't give a dog the time and attention they deserve at this point in my life.
My cats bring me much joy, but I do think you have a different bond with them than you do a dog. This does not lessen my love for my kitties one bit.
My cat is a friend and shows SO much affection. It's not just dogs that do this.
I used to have 5 cats hardly an ignorance of cats - love both cats and dogs but in our current situation dogs suit us best. So see the humour in posts instead of accusing people of being ignorant.
The main problem I'd have with keeping a cat is the constant worry that it will run off because I wouldn't like to keep it locked in the house 24/7.
I'd say dogs are more than just 'pets' and cats fit better under that classification.
Run away, hah fat chance when it comes to our cat. She runs up the stairs when the door opens and hides or runs upstairs if someone knocks on the door. She's so timid, won't go out now ever since bonfires night and then later another cat attacked her. We are going to try coax her outside again when it gets warmer and days get longer.
My cat is a friend and shows SO much affection. It's not just dogs that do this.
I agree, our cat is very much like a dog. She even waits for me by the door when i come home after work and she'll go to check the window to see if it's my car if i'm out at work. She's very affectionate and loving.
If you take time to know your cat they are so rewarding. I love the fact that they can disappear for hours but still come home to me every night. Every one has a different character and, no, you can't train them, but they are incredibly intuative about your feelings, illnesses etc and vice versa. If they are out of sorts they look to you for some comfort. I had a very special cat when I was younger who, so my mum would tell me, would get up and sit by the front door about 5 minutes before I came home whatever the time was.
I don't have any at the moment simply because I don't want to suffer the pain I had when we lost our last two at 16 and 17. OH would get one tomorrow though!
You've not met the cats I live with. Halitosis worse than any dog's.
QUOTE]
Halitosis almost always means problems with teeth or gums. Have they seen a vet recently?
They aren't my cats. They are my landlady's.
I am going to have to say something, as one of them has the most horrendous rotten-fish breath. If he yawns while sitting on the same sofa as me, I get a strong blast of it.
Firstly with a psycho dog that had to go, then a moggy who I grew up with, that broke my heart when she passed on.
Concurrent with her, was the worlds stupidest labrador, who made everyone he ever met fall in love with him.
Now I have the Beast, despite that I still fall in the cat camp.
If you can connect with your moggy, they will show all the affection a dog does, but without the 'hassle' of having to walk them and having to be home at certain time to make sure they are OK.
The Beast scampers to me when I get in from work, and, when I was away for work for a while, first tried to chase the car, then showed his displeasure and ignored me for a while when I finally came home.
When I wake up of a morning he is snoring right next to me, as close as he can get, I move to get out and he gives me a flip top head yawn and drops off again.
I would say, cat, dog, hamster, snake, whatever, you get from your pet what you put in; you love them, them will love you back.
I agree, our cat is very much like a dog. She even waits for me by the door when i come home after work and she'll go to check the window to see if it's my car if i'm out at work. She's very affectionate and loving.
Thanks did you read my last post - I had 5 cats I would have more if circumstances were right. I think I will stop making silly what I consider funny comments it obviously goes down like a led balloon on this part of the forum.
I agree, our cat is very much like a dog. She even waits for me by the door when i come home after work and she'll go to check the window to see if it's my car if i'm out at work. She's very affectionate and loving.
My cat thinks he's a dog. That's to say that he follows me about, is always there to greet me, but he expects me to wait on him hand and foot while he "tells me" what he wants.
I'd say he's well disposed to living with a human.
The cats I live with have some quite doglike behaviour. One of them enjoys playing Fetch, and they both like playing with toys and other household objects. They are normally very affectionate and not as aloof as many cats.
They are Siamese, and apparently this is quite common in the breed.
So SCDchick, how have you trained cats? It would be interesting to hear from a cat expert on how to train cats
The cats I have lived with have known how to train me to pretty much act as their servant. As molliepops has joked, dogs have masters but cats have servants - it's a well known saying. I don't believe a cat exists who can be trained to do something that it doesn't want to do though I am sure that an intelligent cat can be trained, to a certain extent, if the reward is enticing enough. The problem is that most cats are not as food driven as dogs (at least up until the advent of dreamies and even those are not attractive to all cats, eg my Bernard). However, I have successfully 'trained' my cats to use a catflap - the reward of getting outside was a strong incentive
I love most animals, having grown up on a farm, though I don't really care for rodents. I've had dogs, cats, rabbits as pets when I was a child/teenager. Cats suit my adult lifestyle, I love that I can leave them all day while I'm at work and they can even be left for a night. Cats can be just as loyal and affectionate as dogs, they just have a different way of expressing their love. My Bernard is very dog-like in that he follows me around the house, sleeps very near me and, when I was ill recently, he was the only one of my 3 cats who stuck to me like glue. He's generally usually outside when I park my car when coming home from work and he shows his pleasure and gratitude that I'm home by rolling on his back for a tummy rub - sometimes in the middle of the road.
I like that you have to work quite hard to earn a cat's love. I find it very rewarding that one of my rescue cats is now coming out of her shell, after more than a year, and is a purring, playful, lap-loving little madam.
My parents no longer own a dog so I miss going to their home and taking the dog for a long country walk but I don't miss the commitment of having to take a dog for a twice daily walk, in all weathers. Cats are my perfect pets.
Comments
I'd say dogs are more than just 'pets' and cats fit better under that classification.
Couldn't agree more, they're the best.
Me too!
As I type this, both my lovely cats are fast asleep on my bed, I know if my parents dog was here, he'd be snuggled up next to me.
I just chose cats because I knew I couldn't give a dog the time and attention they deserve at this point in my life.
My cats bring me much joy, but I do think you have a different bond with them than you do a dog. This does not lessen my love for my kitties one bit.
Typical, ignorant dog lover.
My cat is a friend and shows SO much affection. It's not just dogs that do this.
I used to have 5 cats hardly an ignorance of cats - love both cats and dogs but in our current situation dogs suit us best. So see the humour in posts instead of accusing people of being ignorant.
Run away, hah fat chance when it comes to our cat. She runs up the stairs when the door opens and hides or runs upstairs if someone knocks on the door. She's so timid, won't go out now ever since bonfires night and then later another cat attacked her. We are going to try coax her outside again when it gets warmer and days get longer.
I agree, our cat is very much like a dog. She even waits for me by the door when i come home after work and she'll go to check the window to see if it's my car if i'm out at work. She's very affectionate and loving.
You've not met the cats I live with. Halitosis worse than any dog's.
They're still adorable little furbags though.
I don't have any at the moment simply because I don't want to suffer the pain I had when we lost our last two at 16 and 17. OH would get one tomorrow though!
you need an ark
Firstly with a psycho dog that had to go, then a moggy who I grew up with, that broke my heart when she passed on.
Concurrent with her, was the worlds stupidest labrador, who made everyone he ever met fall in love with him.
Now I have the Beast, despite that I still fall in the cat camp.
If you can connect with your moggy, they will show all the affection a dog does, but without the 'hassle' of having to walk them and having to be home at certain time to make sure they are OK.
The Beast scampers to me when I get in from work, and, when I was away for work for a while, first tried to chase the car, then showed his displeasure and ignored me for a while when I finally came home.
When I wake up of a morning he is snoring right next to me, as close as he can get, I move to get out and he gives me a flip top head yawn and drops off again.
I would say, cat, dog, hamster, snake, whatever, you get from your pet what you put in; you love them, them will love you back.
He's still a git though:p
Thanks did you read my last post - I had 5 cats I would have more if circumstances were right. I think I will stop making silly what I consider funny comments it obviously goes down like a led balloon on this part of the forum.
My cat thinks he's a dog. That's to say that he follows me about, is always there to greet me, but he expects me to wait on him hand and foot while he "tells me" what he wants.
I'd say he's well disposed to living with a human.
Don't tempt me, the husband would never agree though:(
They are Siamese, and apparently this is quite common in the breed.
They can be trained.
The cats I have lived with have known how to train me to pretty much act as their servant. As molliepops has joked, dogs have masters but cats have servants - it's a well known saying. I don't believe a cat exists who can be trained to do something that it doesn't want to do though I am sure that an intelligent cat can be trained, to a certain extent, if the reward is enticing enough. The problem is that most cats are not as food driven as dogs (at least up until the advent of dreamies and even those are not attractive to all cats, eg my Bernard). However, I have successfully 'trained' my cats to use a catflap - the reward of getting outside was a strong incentive
I love most animals, having grown up on a farm, though I don't really care for rodents. I've had dogs, cats, rabbits as pets when I was a child/teenager. Cats suit my adult lifestyle, I love that I can leave them all day while I'm at work and they can even be left for a night. Cats can be just as loyal and affectionate as dogs, they just have a different way of expressing their love. My Bernard is very dog-like in that he follows me around the house, sleeps very near me and, when I was ill recently, he was the only one of my 3 cats who stuck to me like glue. He's generally usually outside when I park my car when coming home from work and he shows his pleasure and gratitude that I'm home by rolling on his back for a tummy rub - sometimes in the middle of the road.
I like that you have to work quite hard to earn a cat's love. I find it very rewarding that one of my rescue cats is now coming out of her shell, after more than a year, and is a purring, playful, lap-loving little madam.
My parents no longer own a dog so I miss going to their home and taking the dog for a long country walk but I don't miss the commitment of having to take a dog for a twice daily walk, in all weathers. Cats are my perfect pets.