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#81
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On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:58:04 -0500, Cheryl
wrote: Kristine Kochanski dumped this in on 28 Apr 2004: I phrased that wrongly, I was trying to make the point (badly, obviously!) that cats are territory-led and don't like being removed from it. Dogs are used to going long walks, trips in the car, visits with their owners. This is only because this is what is done. It is accepted. IMO, cats could adjust to this type of lifestyle, and some do take their cats everywhere they go. It is stereotyping. Cats are, well, cats. Independent. Skittish. Wild. I have no doubt that a cat started out as a kitten being used to being treated like people treat dogs would adjust to it and thrive. But that is shaping it in a way that is unnatural. Isn't that what was done with dogs? I totally agree that it's only 'normal' because we;ve made it that way but it's probably that way reason - ie that dogs' natural behaviour makes them easier to train. I don't know, might be wrong. I walk my cats on leads and people think it's insane/cruel yet they think it's normal for people to walk dogs on leads (!), so I see where you're coming from. But I think there are also more limitations, eg. cats get much more easily spooked than dogs, so I wouldn't go into a busy area, or risk a dog attacking it. |
#82
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On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:54:56 -0500, kaeli
wrote: In article , enlightened us with... I phrased that wrongly, I was trying to make the point (badly, obviously!) that cats are territory-led and don't like being removed from it. I see. Sorry about that. Most cats DO hate being taken away from home, but if you get them used to it young, they don't mind. My one cat loves going for walks, but she's been doing it since she was 8 weeks old. The other two would really prefer to sit on the porch. *heh* Same here, I have one that howls to be let out, her littermate doesn't enjoy the outside world at all and would much rather find a nice warm windowsill to sit on and watch the world go by. They each have their own little personalities ) Also, unfortunately, unless socialized well and taken places, dogs are just as bad as cats at being taken into unfamiliar territory. It's just more common for people to take their dogs places, but if you look at the sad cases where the dog was kept in the yard its whole life or chained to a fence or a tree, it's very shy and afraid, like a cat, or worse, aggressive. I guess so ( Any animal is shaped by its experiences. I had to stop watching those 'pet rescue' type programmes, far too upsetting. Again, I didn't put that very well, the dogs don't spend their showtime sitting miserable in a cage, only taken out to be examined. They get a chance to show off, please their owner, get a few treats. There's much more in it for the dog at the show than a cat. Yeah, there is more in it for most dogs. I'd agree that they are a lot happier with the whole thing. I think though that most cats, hating the odd surroundings, would prefer the cage. Well, they'd prefer staying at home, really, but they like small, safe places. I've seen a few bold cats that liked it. Most had that kid-in-church (can I go home now?!) look though. *g* Heheh, yeah, they prefer the cage to being outside the cage in a strange place, but if they're stressed by being away from home I think people should question whether it's in the cat's interest to put it through that, for the sake of saying 'look at my lovely cat'. Be content just knowing that your cat is the most beautiful one in the world! I know mine are ;o) We are humans, so we think like humans. We don't like cages. However, dogs and cats often think of cages as safe places. Cats love to hide in places like boxes, small closets, under houses, and the like when they feel threatened. Dogs are den animals by nature. The cat shows I went to had the cages covered partially with sheets or towels for added comfort for the kitties, so they felt secure and safe. They only seem to think of them as safe places if they enter themselves though - ever tried getting a cat in a box to go to the vet? ;o) Then you get them to the vet and you can't get them back out the bloody thing! Fickle little monsters. See that book above I was talking about. It's a great read about how humans have a really hard time thinking about things in the same way dogs do (and by extension, cats) because we're a lot more like primates. Really interesting. I loved the part about us using our voices repetitively and moving our hands about when we get excited. *heh* Heheh, I'll try track that book down, thanks for the recommendation! |
#83
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On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:54:56 -0500, kaeli
wrote: In article , enlightened us with... I phrased that wrongly, I was trying to make the point (badly, obviously!) that cats are territory-led and don't like being removed from it. I see. Sorry about that. Most cats DO hate being taken away from home, but if you get them used to it young, they don't mind. My one cat loves going for walks, but she's been doing it since she was 8 weeks old. The other two would really prefer to sit on the porch. *heh* Same here, I have one that howls to be let out, her littermate doesn't enjoy the outside world at all and would much rather find a nice warm windowsill to sit on and watch the world go by. They each have their own little personalities ) Also, unfortunately, unless socialized well and taken places, dogs are just as bad as cats at being taken into unfamiliar territory. It's just more common for people to take their dogs places, but if you look at the sad cases where the dog was kept in the yard its whole life or chained to a fence or a tree, it's very shy and afraid, like a cat, or worse, aggressive. I guess so ( Any animal is shaped by its experiences. I had to stop watching those 'pet rescue' type programmes, far too upsetting. Again, I didn't put that very well, the dogs don't spend their showtime sitting miserable in a cage, only taken out to be examined. They get a chance to show off, please their owner, get a few treats. There's much more in it for the dog at the show than a cat. Yeah, there is more in it for most dogs. I'd agree that they are a lot happier with the whole thing. I think though that most cats, hating the odd surroundings, would prefer the cage. Well, they'd prefer staying at home, really, but they like small, safe places. I've seen a few bold cats that liked it. Most had that kid-in-church (can I go home now?!) look though. *g* Heheh, yeah, they prefer the cage to being outside the cage in a strange place, but if they're stressed by being away from home I think people should question whether it's in the cat's interest to put it through that, for the sake of saying 'look at my lovely cat'. Be content just knowing that your cat is the most beautiful one in the world! I know mine are ;o) We are humans, so we think like humans. We don't like cages. However, dogs and cats often think of cages as safe places. Cats love to hide in places like boxes, small closets, under houses, and the like when they feel threatened. Dogs are den animals by nature. The cat shows I went to had the cages covered partially with sheets or towels for added comfort for the kitties, so they felt secure and safe. They only seem to think of them as safe places if they enter themselves though - ever tried getting a cat in a box to go to the vet? ;o) Then you get them to the vet and you can't get them back out the bloody thing! Fickle little monsters. See that book above I was talking about. It's a great read about how humans have a really hard time thinking about things in the same way dogs do (and by extension, cats) because we're a lot more like primates. Really interesting. I loved the part about us using our voices repetitively and moving our hands about when we get excited. *heh* Heheh, I'll try track that book down, thanks for the recommendation! |
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