How Some People Can Appreciate Cats

To all the dog lovers and cat haters out there, welcome. I’m going to point out to you why owning a cat isn’t the beacon of all terrible pets to own.

And to people who run like the plague from cats, hopefully you will be more receptive to them after reading this.

It is truly all about understanding. One must understand the feline in order to appreciate the feline.

There are all kinds of stereotypes about cats. Some people find it terribly discomforting to be around them. They don't trust them.

Some even believe they just run up to people and bury their claws in someone's body. (My aunt) That's because, readers, they don’t have an understanding of cats.

Ever since I was 15 years old, I've owned a cat. I've owned several. I took care of them from the time they were kittens to adult cats.

They seemed to just appear suddenly on our porch, and usually during the start of the winter season.

It was amazing to see a kitten end up at our house. We lived in what one would term, “the country.” It was a very rural and isolated area.

A kitten making it down a road that was more than a 5 mile stretch without getting hit by a car still baffles me. But there they all were, scampering around on the porch, cute as could be.

It was easy for me to love and understand cats.

Cats are weird, funny, energetic, and really sweet. But they, like all other people, yes people; have boundaries.

Cats like giving their masters space and they like to believe you want to give them the same thing from time to time.

Cats aren't too different from dogs. You can call a cat and it'll come to you just like a dog.

It's just that when you call a cat and they've done something bad, they have the sense not to come to you at that time. Instead they'll chill under something very low or on something very high until you cool off.

The intelligence of cats freak people out often times. In my experience, what really matters is how you train your cat.

Now, I know there are downsides to having a cat.

They do have a tendency to hang-glide on your curtains if they don’t have enough play areas. Maybe even if they just want the experience.

They'll also sharpen their claws, and if they don’t have scratching posts, they usually do this on your furniture.

They are breed specific. Not all of them wan't to be a playmate. Not all of them really care that you stay gone for a month. They don't always greet you in the morning, or are too thrilled to say goodnight in their feline ways. However, they all have traits you can appreciate.

Cats aren’t needy like dogs.

You don’t have to do everything for a cat.

For example, a cat will take itself for a walk. You don’t to have walk with them. You don’t even have to open the door for them to get outside.

If there’s a doggy door, they’ll go through that. If there’s a screen door or window screen, they’ll chew through that and squeeze out. If you open the door, they’ll breeze on through.

If their food isn't canned, they'll find something to eat. They'll squeeze into a bag of cat food, or knock out the food little by little and eat. And they'll definitely find something to drink. If they can't get something in the house to eat or drink, they'll get out and find something.

This is the way of the feline. They’re just simple to live with. They don't need you to do everything for them.

Dogs aren't that smart and have only a little consideration.

Dogs use the bathroom when they have to. They don't hold it in for long.

Your dog pooping on the carpet would be much worse than the cat, especially if it just so happens to be runny. The smell would cause you to have to open doors, windows, vents, and the chimney.

Not only will you have to clean it up that instant, but you'll have to shampoo your entire carpet or rug. Even a dog’s urine is more pungent than that of the cat on a carpet or rug. Dogs give up too soon.

I have known cats to get on top of the trash can pile to use the bathroom. They will knock over the trash can to use the bathroom on the trash in it.They have more of an understanding of what waste is. They usually do this if the litter box has been moved and they can't find it.

If they go on the floor, they at least do it on the bathroom floor in the area where their litter box is supposed to be. Note to the master.

Cats care about what they do simply because you've hit the roof about it before.They don't need the headache of you yelling at them. Putting them outside in the rain or cold. Placing them in that cat kennel for punishment. Not feeding them on purpose or not stroking them when they want it. They don't want anyone restricting their movement, traits, needs, or wants for punishment in any way.

Overall, you can't buy the consideration and intelligence of a cat.

Cats are cleaner.

Sure you must give them a bath in cat soap and water from time to time, but they do help out by licking themselves. They help save water which saves on the water bill.

They don't swim in puddles. They don't play, try to walk, trot, run, or glide through mud. They avoid rain and dirty areas in general. And, they don't typically play with cats that are dirty.

If you're dirty and smell funny, they're not going to play with you either.

Overall, cats at least contribute to keeping themselves clean. Dogs make no effort, it's all on you.

Cats are more behaved than dogs.

Dogs come to the kitchen table and steal food off people's plates. They tear out the trash openly, even during family gatherings. They chase anything, even the squirrel that somehow got in the house which just so happens to be in your living room.

Dogs run up to you, your guests, your 80 year old grandma, your cousin with the broken leg, and jump on them to say hello. This is very nice of them but can be quite hazardous. They nearly knock people across rooms, floors, chairs, tables and other people who are standing nearby.

Don’t get me wrong, dogs are loving animals, but they're a little too heavy for jumping on people to say hello. Meanwhile, the cat is more subtle and gentle. A simple meow and stroke of the hand, ankle, or leg with their heads would suffice with a cat.

Cats keep greetings short, simple, respectful and gentle. And their too sneaky to be caught eating food off the table.

Cats have an, "I don’t take anything off anybody," attitude.

Cats don't develop psychotic issues with their owners. These things are rare because they won't take anything off of any animal and anyone.

If an animal or person wants to tangle; it will tangle. It'll throw paws no problem. Cats have no problem with getting into a fight. They're similar to dogs in that they will fight over their territory or home.

Dogs take way too much before putting a stop to the abuse. Cat’s make it known; if you come here with an attitude or violence, you'll get what you give.

They aren’t that big on fighting for you but, their independence says you don’t have to fight for them.

Cats make a statement and stand their ground. If they come home with half of their ear gone, some patches of fur missing and a limp, you know what happened. A scrap broke out while it was trying to hang with its friends and it had to throw paws.

And you don't have to take them to the hospital, these are war wounds. The cat is a warrior in the domestic animal kingdom.

I know any one animal isn't truly better than the other. I think you can have the discipline of cat in a dog if you try extremely hard.

Cats can behave like dogs. I had one tabby named DJ who practically slept, ate dog food, and basically hung out with our German Shepherd named King.

Cats are funny and interesting. They do hilarious things. They're playful, quirky, often times weird, and as cool as any dog.

So if you're considering adopting or buying a pet, why not give a cat a try. They're one of the coolest types of pets to have.