We all form relationships to fill needs
- Although one can say that a cat shows affection in a calculating way, for the purpose getting something in return, we could say this about all animals and humans too. Human and Kanine social groups originally formed as a survival strategy, as together they could find food and shelter more effectively than solitarily. Members of the group could fulfill each others needs. Certainly the pet/petowner relationship is unique in that the two partners are of different species, but we definitely receive spiritual and emotional benefits from our cats in exchange for the relatively minor expense of feeding and caring for them. I don't think we should criticize cats on the basis that they enter into a relationship with the expectation of getting something out of it, as every human is guilty of this. It doesn't change how rewarding the relationship between cat and owner can be.
- —Guest Janis
Solitary vs Social
- All my experiences with cats are more social ones. It makes a difference though if you're an animal-lover, & I've been one my whole life. My current cat is about 2 yrs old. I found her at a Humane Society in 2007 which immediately when she saw me, she basically had chose me as the owner when I was looking for a new cat. She enjoys greeting others she's not particularly familiar with, & loves to play with anyone who will give her attention, or she'll entertain herself. If not in the house, she's around the neighbourhood visiting other people's pet dogs and cats. At other times, she'll typically sleep for hours. This is the first cat I've had who does not readily jump on your lap, unless you're eating something or drinking milk. Also, anyone ever tried feeding your cat it's food from your hand? I've done it & it makes a nice social interaction. I strongly believe cats are sociable. If you're someone who doesn't, I recommend you visit a shelter and find out for yourself.
- —Guest Becky
my little buddy
- I rescued my cat from the SPCA 3 years ago. She only had 3 legs and she was beautiful. When I walk in the door, she runs for me and cries until I pick her up. She sleeps between my husband I every night, and comes up on my pillow every morning. When I talk to her she meows back as if she is having her own little conversation. She follows me everywhere, and even sits outside the bathroom door while I shower. When I leave the house, my husband says she will cry and scratch at the door, sometimes for as long as half an hour. I know I spoil my cat, and I know some people think I am crazy, but I think she has more personality than most of the people I interact with on a daily basis. She's intelligent and adorable and she hates being alone. She is my shadow and I love her for it.
- —Guest Kmac
Solitary? Of course
- The cat is decended from the African Wildcat, a solitary animal. They hunt and live alone. Compare this to the highly intelligent and social wolf, Man's Best Friend. Cats live for food and warmth, not affection. It's not selfish, it's just instincts. Humans are warm, humans provide food. Without humans, they HATE humans. Feral cats are monsters. I am a dog person for this reason. Cats will never be affectionate.
- —Guest Olivia
Why cats are not solitary animals
- When I started feeding this young cat,I realized she had found a home. I brought her into our home and she was a very well behaved young cat. I named her Sophie, it fit her. Well, she was with kittens. Wow. Surprise. She had a hard time with labor, and we are now temporary parents of three beautiful kitten. Sophie is a good Mom, but her soul and mine are linked forever, I was the doc that saved the last kitten and her. I have health problems, and on bad days Sophie is by my side. If I move to another room she is there. We have a lot of energy in the house, We have found a good home for one of the kittens. My sister is taking one, we are keeping two, and Sophie is getting sprayed. I have a loyal friend for a lifetime. Cats live your livestyle. .
- —Guest purplegranny
my miracle cat
- I adopted Candi from a rescue group & noted she had a clipped ear; researched her family tree & learned she was born in a feral colony; was trapped, spayed, & returned to the colony despite bearing no feral characteristics. She spent a year in there, when she was rescued again. By all stats and research, cats can't spend more than 6 weeks in a feral colony w/o becoming feral themselves (I work w ferals now.) Yet this miracle bundle of unending love, was mistaken as feral for a year, beating all odds of domestication. Not only is she domesticated, I adopted her 5 yrs ago at age 5, immediately choosing each other as partners. As a rescue volunteer who's worked with hundreds of cats since then, Candi is the most loving cat I've ever encountered, w zero negative habits. She's a lover who lived the feral life, escaping unscathed, bursting w love for her partner, me. Statistically she beat all odds for me. Divine intervention put her w me as she has since saved me as I saved her.
- —slowhandfan
Depends on the Cat's History
- Cats as humans have personalities that take shape depending on the environment they grew up in and their surroundings. If it's a feral, not used to humans, then obviously it will be very wary of humans. Even if a human provides them with food, they would obviously come to *eat* the food and not wanting to be cuddled. If it's a pet cat, then they are obviously attached to their owners and not necessarily be meanies who would come only when they want something from them.
- —priyamay12
I've Had Lovey-Dovey Cats
- I think that cat personality does depend on its human-cat relationship. My family has always had a love for animals and the animals can obviously sense this affection. Our first cat Buttons was so spoiled, lol. Everyday at the same time, she would wait in the window for us to come home from school/work and then follow us around all day. Though my mom wasn't a cat-lover from previous experiences, she grew to love Buttons. When we moved, she had kittens but only two brothers survived. When she left to wean them, they were basically like paper and glue..always together and either slept with us or together. Our last cat since then was Mickey...he was quite a character!! We got him as a kitten and I assume he was taken to early because he would still try to nurse on us (ie suck on our wrists or lick us.) He was very friendly, loved attention, and could sense our emotions. People who think that cats always keep to themselves obviously haven't had them before or don't show them love.
- —Guest Tiffany
cats personality
- We live in a fifth wheel trailer with two cats - both have total different personalities, The female is right now head butting me because I'm typing and not paying attention to her. It has taken almost two years of patience to get her to this point, when we first got her she was afraid of everything she gets better with everyday. As we travel a lot both cats are leash trained and only go outside on leashes; they love it when the four of sit around outside. Our male cat is the hit of every park we go to as he walks on his leash and goes everywhere with my husband they take long walks together. He is a super friendly cat and will head for kids when ever they around. We don't find our two babies to be standoffish at all. Joe loves everyone and Smokie is more picky about who she loves but we know she loves us.
- —Guest Bnbnelson
Solitary? No way!
- Until 6 years ago, I never had any pets. Now I'm mommy to 4 cats (all rescue). I got twinkles 6 months after Precious, because I thought she needed company. Precious was only 10 months old and acted like Twinkles' mommy. They got along nicely and were always together. I didn't want anymore cats, but 4 years ago, I adopted Cassy & Cody (I just couldn't separate this brother & sister) at 6 weeks old. Precious & Twinkles acted like mommies to my new babies. My cats are very social and love attention and affection(lots of it). The follow me everywhere and stay wherever I am at all times: the bathroom (a bit annoying), home office, kitchen, bedroom (they all sleep in my bed with me), etc. The all greet me at the door when I get home from work. Not solitary at all!
- —Guest Sechie
I know my kitty loves me
- I have a male cat, Macio. I wake up every morning to him wrapped up completely around my head, he's almost like a pillow lol. Sure, he could be doing it for warmth but he lets me know when it's bedtime when he go lays at the foot of my side of the bed and meows at me until I lay down for him to commence the nightly cuddle session where he gets his fill of kneading and head butting . There is no way that he would prefer to be alone!
- —Guest Jessica
My cat loves attention
- My cat loves to follow me around my apartment and sleep with me at night. Even though I got him this past week, he (Sam)and I have bonded.
- —Guest Robert
My kitten Romeo and our bonding
- I rescued Romeo a short while ago. 3 months ago to be exact. He loves to sleep on my bed and every morning, he drapes himself across my neck and head and licks my hair and face! He wakes me up that way and cuddles with me on my pillow until I get out of bed and he follows me into the bathroom and waits for me to finish with my shower! That to me...is unconditional love at it's best!
- —Guest gemangel@optonline.net
My Cat Sooo Loves Me
- My cat was a rescue and she knows it. She showed up on my doorstep in really bad shape (the vet said she wouldn't have made it through more than another day) and I couldn't just leave her. Needless to say, she's the most expensive 'free' cat I've ever had. She adores me. I can't sit down without her jumping up on me (yes, she's on me right now) or go into the bathroom without her crying for me outside the door. She kneads on me and tries to nurse as if I'm her mother. I recently had a tooth pulled and when I came home I just stood there and cried. She came running over to comfort me. When I leaned down to pet her, she smelled the blood on my breath and was visibly upset. She slept on me all night and watched me to make sure I was okay. She even gave me a smell the next morning to see if I was still bleeding. Anyone who says that cats do not bond with their human has either never owned a cat or didn't take care of the one they had very well. They show their love in so many ways.
- —Guest Cat Lover
my cats understand me
- We have 3 cats, Spot, Sox and Max. They are all neutered little lads of 2 yrs of age. They love to sleep with us, feed with us, play with us. They follow us while in our garden and stay in the bathroom while we shower, or have to go to the toilet. If we try to put them on the other side of the door, then they are not happy. I think our kitties understand what we say and we try to speak cat and they understand just like we understand when they verbally ask for food or play or just to go out into the garden, We were dog people until we got our rescued little ones 2 years ago and we have never felt love like what our 3 little lads give us. They do not judge us; they love us 24hrs a day. Not many people can say that they are loved 24hrs a day, but our 3 are my life. I love them so much.
- —Guest julia manning
