this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2023
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[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 95 points 1 year ago (15 children)

Better question is why people don't like cats.

[–] Ashtear@lemm.ee 26 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Some people are better with consent than others.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 10 points 1 year ago

And it goes both ways. Lots of dogs will run up and jump on you, lick you, ram their nose into your crotch, etc. Most cats won't do anything they might be considered intrusive unless you've put quite a bit of effort into convincing them it's ok.

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[–] Weirdfish@lemmy.world 51 points 1 year ago (2 children)

My cats are the perfect balance of affection, entertainment, and low maintenance.

Dogs are great, but I can leave my cats alone for a long weekend and when I get home, the house is just as I left it.

[–] ikiru@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago

As someone with dogs, I envy this so fucking much.

[–] MissJinx@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I have both dogs and cats and cats are indeed very low maintenance.

[–] HEXN3T@lemmy.blahaj.zone 46 points 1 year ago

I’ve gotta be completely honest, anything is better than other people.

[–] datavoid@lemmy.ml 36 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] Caligvla@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What the hell does toxoplasmosis have to do with liking cats?

[–] otter@lemmy.ca 19 points 1 year ago

It inhibits the fear response in rodents, so they are more likely to cuddle up with cats

The joke being that humans are infected too

In rodents, T. gondii alters behavior in ways that increase the rodents' chances of being preyed upon by felids. Support for this "manipulation hypothesis" stems from studies showing that T. gondii-infected rats have a decreased aversion to cat urine while infection in mice lowers general anxiety, increases explorative behaviors and increases a loss of aversion to predators in general. Because cats are one of the only hosts within which T. gondii can sexually reproduce, such behavioral manipulations are thought to be evolutionary adaptations that increase the parasite's reproductive success since rodents that do not avoid cat habitations will more likely become cat prey

[–] yata@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 year ago

Apparently it is a popular American myth.

[–] currawong@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago

On the whole, there was little evidence thatΒ T. gondiiΒ was related to increased risk of psychiatric disorder, poor impulse control, personality aberrations, or neurocognitive impairment.

[–] dabu@lemmy.world 32 points 1 year ago

Because I can actually observe my adopted cat loving me more with every passing month. We're learning each other, he communicates with me and gets closer and closer. For the first year he didn't even think about cuddling but now he's on my laps everyday. It's really nice to feel him liking me more and more so I like him back as well. It's a very positive circle of affection.

[–] dugmeup@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Cause they are cute and mimic babies.

And they infect your brain with a cat loving infection.

[–] fahfahfahfah@lemmy.billiam.net 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] dugmeup@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

That's the one!

[–] terminhell@lemmy.dbzer0.com 24 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've had both over my life. Both have pros and cons.

As others have said, cats overall require less attention; both in interaction and maintenance. Our cats are really good about keeping house bugs to a minimum with their natural hunter instincts. Flies,moths and other critters don't last long. Also litter boxes are something I wish dogs could figure out lol.

Dogs are more social, so they'll need more from you. They need frequent outside time to run and exercise/bathroom. Most dogs don't care about catching bugs and critters like cats. However, if treated right, will defend the house to the death from intruders.

In my current situation, cats are better. If I had a much bigger, we'll fenced yard, I'd love to have a dog again.

[–] SecretPancake@feddit.de 13 points 1 year ago

You can easily train a dog to use litter boxes. There are actually indoor grass mats you can buy. It’s mostly a way to deal with very old dogs who have trouble keeping it in.

But please don’t do that with young and healthy dogs. They need outside time. If you don’t want to do that, just don’t get a dog.

[–] confluence@lemmy.world 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've had cats and dogs, and in my sample, cats have been better at navigating boundaries. Also, the beans. Also, the everything.

[–] PsychedSy@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 year ago

My dog is terrific at navigating boundaries. He knows to cross them when he can't see my eyeballs.

[–] snowe@programming.dev 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)
[–] F0l11k@feddit.cl 6 points 1 year ago

He is asking why insanely much! I know a woman who has like 20 cats she doesn't even have time to spend with them and taking care of all them. But just because she loves cats she can have that many

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[–] Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Cats are independent and dogs are dependent. That's why I like cats better. I also don't want to deal with the death of a dog that I'd probably consider my best friend. No thanks.

[–] supercriticalcheese@lemmy.world 38 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's not like the death of cat is any less traumatic, cat's show appreciation in different ways that is all.

So you end up missing the little crazy cunts anyway :-(

[–] flashgnash@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not auzzie, felt right that is all. Β―\_(ツ)_/Β―

[–] twotone@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Having had both kinds of animals of pets multiple times, it isn't any easier unless you simply just don't interact with the animal and thus don't have a connection with it.

[–] CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I am not a cat person, but I've lived with a couple of them and they can be really charming little companions. They can also be incredible assholes and imo their charisma doesn't make up for it. Some people just weigh the pros and cons differently.

[–] ChexMax@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think it's more of a gamble with cats. Dogs are just gonna love you. Some cats are completely sweet and cuddly, and others attack your ankles everytime you try to get water.

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[–] GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Part of this is people continue to believe cats can't be trained. It's harder, but possible. It also means you have to work harder to train out bad behaviour (and they will only mostly stop while you're around). So getting your cat to not bite you can be done, as well as training them to not go on the counter when you can see it.

Cats are also domesticated differently than most animals, and will absolutely, literally shit on things they know you care about if you piss them off.

[–] CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It makes sense that bad cat owners are responsible, in large part, for bad cat behavior. That said, if it's so difficult to raise a cat properly, then maybe cats just aren't good pets for most people.

[–] GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

As I said, cats are domesticated differently. Current speculation is they self-domesticated during the beginning of agriculture. What this means for us is that, unlike dogs, it's more of an agreement between us and them, and they will make it known if they don't agree with the situation. This is the nugget of truth behind "Dogs have owners, cats have staff." So, as with dogs, if your lifestyle isn't acceptable to them, you shouldn't own them. The difference is what is acceptable.

In short, they're like our siblings, minus the sibling rivalries.

[–] Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] currawong@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

Doesn't affect humans in this way.

[–] wilberfan@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have a friend with FIVE CATS. I worry about her sometimes... Paula Poundstone has....12? 13? 14? I worry about her, too.

[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

That's a name I haven't heard in a while.

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Toxocutiosis.

[–] Rhoeri@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Because they do. This is like asking why some people like movies.

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