Cats are incredibly individual creatures, and sometimes I am completely gobsmacked at the expectations humans have for felines.
A gentleman who came into the shelter recently looking to adopt a feline had to have one like a cat he had when he was a boy – one who would lie in his arms like a baby. So he tried doing that with every cat he visited.
Another lady recently asked me what she could do about her friend who was forcing her cat to sit on her lap, an effort that resulted in scratches and bites.
See, here’s the thing. Cats are incredibly particular creatures, and yes, some of them will sit on your lap for hours on end and others just adore being held like an infant, but, and this is a big BUT, not all of them are like that.
Cats are like snowflakes – each one different in his or her own way (the gender pronouns are for the cats, obviously. Snowflakes aren’t male or female – that I know of).
My point is I think sometimes as humans we expect every cat we meet to behave the same as every cat we’ve ever known, and that’s simply not always going to happen. The same is true of dogs – not all of them are going to react like the ones from your childhood.
Cats can be incredibly solitary creatures. And they like it like that. In fact, a friend of mine who has a cat that he absolutely dotes on fully believes that you have to earn the love of a cat. It’s not freely given. And when you get it, you should consider yourself quite privileged.
I would have to agree.
I recently discovered an article from National Geographic that suggested cats see humans as other cats, whereas dogs clearly see us as something different from themselves. When you think about it, dogs can and do act differently with us than they do with other dogs, whereas cats treat us pretty much like they would another cat (biting, rubbing against, running from, grooming near, etc.).
It’s certainly an interesting topic of conversation, and as you can imagine, the comments section of the article had wildly different views (and as is quite typical with the internet, some wildly vivid language – we treat each other so kindly on the worldwide web, don’t we? – she said sarcastically).
I’d even take it one step further and suggest that some cats see dogs as the same. Look for those adorable cat videos where you see the felines leaping and jumping and rolling all over their canine friend, just as they would a feline buddy. Some cats do the same with humans as well.
However, some cats don’t want anything to do with dogs or people.
Another study found that cat behavior may have something to do with how and where the cats were raised. Kittens born to a people friendly mama and papa may have a better chance of being people friendly. Additionally, and this one seems quite obvious, kittens who were raised around people tend to be more people friendly.
I believe the longer a cat goes without human interaction, the more difficult it will be to get him or her to warm up to a person.
Will it be impossible? Not necessarily. I’ve talked to some folks who have been able to domesticate cats who weren’t terribly people-friendly. On the other hand, some cats just never come around.
It takes me back to the snowflake analogy from earlier. Cats can be quite independent creatures. They have their own minds and their own ways, and that’s just the way it’s going to be. People need to get used to it. If you try to force a cat to bend to your will, it may not end well for you at all.
Because of that, as humans, we need to adjust our behavior accordingly. The beloved cat you had as a child who would allow you to put doll clothes on him will not be the same as the cat you adopt as an adult with whom you share an apartment.
It’s the expectations that will trip you up every time, in just about every aspect of life.
But see, the new cat you adopt could bring to your life some even more interesting little quirks and personality traits that you’ve never even thought of. That’s the joy of life with a feline!
So, if I may speak for the cat as the Lorax spoke for the trees: Please make sure to approach each cat as his or her own entity – different from any of the cats you have ever known before. You may luck out and find one that shares similar traits, but please don’t expect it.
The feline could very easily prove to be the best friend you will ever have. Just make sure you let them be who they are – even if it may not be exactly what you want.
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Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
