# Cats are not people! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617 "2003-08-02T23:04:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ArtyDooDoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/13edae/32.png) [@ArtyDooDoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArtyDooDoo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/21 "2003-08-03T02:13:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tanookie \* > \*\*With the exception of leaving massive amounts of fur attached part you could be describing my daughter completely, yes my human daughter. > > We also have 4 cats and a dog. They are all part of the family even if I cannot claim them all as dependants on my taxes! What does it hurt if someone fills their life with animal children? And how does it affect anyone if someone calls their kitty their baby? \*\* I whole heartedly agree, Tanookie! Especially for people like us who were so badly treated as children. I like to shower my kitties with the love and kindness that I never got. All of my kitties have been personaly picked off the street by me. Now they’re all fat, lazy and happy. Not a care in the world. That gives me endless satisfaction. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/22 "2003-08-03T03:42:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*Your mother, **Mrs. Mercotan** wishes to make it known that she got her knowledge of baby bunny crunchiness by _observing_ your cat eating a baby bunny’s head, and _hearing_ the resultant noise. Not from true firsthand experience. > > Write for _clarity_, hon. \*\* _shakes head_ I’d HOPED that people would be able to figure that out, but I suppose your way is best… > [@](#): > > \*\*BTW, the computer is making a funny noise. It goes away for a little bit when I hit it, then recurs. You’ll be home when? \*\* Probably the power supply fan again. Remember when it used to do that, before you got it fixed? If it starts getting hot, try leaving the case off for a bit. I’ll look at it when I get back, no promises. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/23 "2003-08-03T10:56:36Z")
Dogs look around the house and say, “Wow! These greatures are granting me my every wish! They must be gods!” Cats look around the house and say, “Wow! These greatures are granting me my every wish! _I_ must be a god!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/24 "2003-08-03T11:03:43Z")
The excitement with which our cat Cookie Monster greeted us when we returned from our 2-week vacation makes me think that, despite all the wisdom about cats only loving you for your ability to provide food, there _is_ an element of “affection” in our relationship. She’d been fed and watered and played with twice a day by a kindly uncle while we were away, but when she realised it was us in the house, she went absolutely bananas, jumped into **mrs jjimm’s** arms purring, meowing plaintively, kneading and dribbling, and wouldn’t leave her or my side for about 2 hours. She also chose to sleep between us on the bed that night, which she never normally does. Maybe it’s to do with being reunited with the alpha male and female of the pride, but it certainly felt like she was pleased to see us. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/25 "2003-08-03T13:30:37Z")
Our cat loves us. At least he shows affection pretty often, and seems to get upset when we leave. Unfortunately, he’s really very dumb. We set up a mirror on the front door yesterday, and Bailey **panicked**. Another cat! In the apartment! Intruder! He got up on his hind legs, and stood there, hissing and growling and going all fluffy, while Mommy and Daddy just about died laughing. He did it again at intervals throughout the day. So he’s not smart, but he snuggles a lot. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/26 "2003-08-03T13:42:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*Dogs are not man’s best friend. They only show you affection because you feed them and allow them to hump your leg. They are unprocessed beef jerky with fur and an intellect that wouldn’t challenge an ant. \*\* That’s about how I feel about cats. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/27 "2003-08-03T14:14:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfbabe \* > \*\*I’ll look at it when I get back, no promises. \*\* No promises? I’ll plan on sending your tuition check out, no promises. 😃 Her cat is high maintenance. Every other day sub-dermal infusions of 50cc of lactated ringers solution to keep his kidneys working. I am amazed we can routinely accomplish this with only two people. Computer’s fine now. I blew out the dust in the cooling fan last night, and tightened a loose fastener. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/28 "2003-08-03T15:51:25Z")
Of course cats are people; they’re just short, hairy, moody people. They’re not humans, of course, and no one would argue that they are. They _are_ people, though. In fact, they’re often much more pleasant to be around than human people. As for affection, clearly the OP has never seen a cat with his/her special person. Take our MaggieMoo for instance. I’m the one who feeds her, pets her, buys her Pounce treats, cleans her litterbox, and digs her toys out from under the furniture. But it’s **Dr.J** she snuggles with and purrs for, and he’s the one she runs to when we come home from a trip. Don’t try to tell me that cat doesn’t love him. I know better. If someone wants to refer to their pets as their children, what does it hurt? It doesn’t insult or diminish the love people have for their human kids, any more than an unmarried person referring to his/her spouse insults or diminishes my marriage or my love for my husband. **Qadgop** , of course the heads are crunchy. There’s a skull in there, after all. I know it’s been a while since gross anatomy, but try to keep up, eh? 😃 Actually, most cats are really good about getting sq fluids, and it usually only takes one person. Don’t try to restrain him too much, just hold the scruff and gently but firmly push down on the shoulders. If he’s getting really fed up with the whole deal, your vet can put in a sq catheter to infuse the fluids into. We’ve only done that once, though, for owners who just couldn’t deal with having to stick him with a needle. I don’t expect you’d have that sort of squeamishness, though. ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/29 "2003-08-03T15:53:04Z")
If you still have doubts about kitties being able to be someone’s children, this [picture of my babies](http://www.timepieceband.com/house/pool.html) will surely change your mind. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/30 "2003-08-03T16:09:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > Her cat is high maintenance. Every other day sub-dermal infusions of 50cc of lactated ringers solution to keep his kidneys working. I am amazed we can routinely accomplish this with only two people. One of my cats (I have two) is also high maintenance. He’s on 100cc of lactated rings 3x a week for his kidneys, plus twice dailey heart medication (liquid), and prescription cat food (3x a day). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > Actually, most cats are really good about getting sq fluids, and it usually only takes one person. Don’t try to restrain him too much, just hold the scruff and gently but firmly push down on the shoulders. If he’s getting really fed up with the whole deal, your vet can put in a sq catheter to infuse the fluids into. We’ve only done that once, though, for owners who just couldn’t deal with having to stick him with a needle. I don’t expect you’d have that sort of squeamishness, though. I was surprised by this as well. I live alone so I was worried that I was going to have trouble giving Harley his fluids. He’s a dream. I put him up on the counter, scruff him, put the needle in, start the fluids and then to “restrain” him I just scratch under his chin and on his head while the fluids run their course. My cats aren’t people, but they do wait for me by the door when I get home from work, they sleep with me at night, come when I whistle, and they do talk to me after a fashion. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/31 "2003-08-03T20:33:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > **No promises? I’ll plan on sending your tuition check out, no promises. 😃** I mean no promises on whether it’ll actually become FIXED or not. You could buy a new power supply, I suppose, and I could put it in, and that would definitely fix it. But if hitting works, I’d say stick with that. And you just don’t like my cat 'cause he makes you sneeze. ---
**Author:** ![kputt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kputt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kputt)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/32 "2003-08-04T01:42:50Z")
I love pussy cats. ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/33 "2003-08-04T02:12:03Z")
Well MY cat greets me at the door every day when I get home from work. I think she knows when I’m feeling blue or sad, since she’ll crawl on my lap and sleep extra close during those times. She will sit and “talk” to me while I’m in the bathtub - c’mon admit it, that’s cute! She IS my furry, little child who will never require expensive sneakers or a college education. ---
**Author:** ![Koffing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@Koffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koffing)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/34 "2003-08-04T03:04:28Z")
Has anyone else gotten the feeling that they were looked at as a bad person for not liking cats? I’m not saying anyone in this thread has done it specifically; I mean in general. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/35 "2003-08-04T03:24:41Z")
Oh Astro…how you misunderstand cats, how you misunderstand them. Even my cat Monty is shaking his head at you. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/36 "2003-08-04T03:47:45Z")
Ahhh, kitties. Inquisitive little fuzzerheads who crawl onto your chest while you’re lying on your back performing an oil change. Big blue eyes and a look of, “Whatcha doin?” Baby fuzzers convinced that they are instantly invisible because they can’t see you, with spikey tails standing straight up above the stair step, hiding to ambush you as you descend the stairs. The list goes on and on. Just because you don’t care for a critter, don’t disrespect them. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617/37 "2003-08-04T04:07:25Z")
As I read this thread, my baby Tiger sits purring in my lap. He’s going on 18, and is only showing tiny signs of senility. He was born in my bedroom when I was 5, and has been my baby ever since. Even when I stay overnight somewhere, he makes it quite clear that I was missed once I’m back. Why, just this morning I woke up to him curled up next to me, _under_ my comforter. How cute is that?? I definitely think cats are little people. We’ve got 6 in my house and they all have distinct voices, personalities, and quirks. For some reason I’ve taken to calling all of them Monkey or Chicken lately. I don’t know why. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-are-not-people/192617.md?page=1)