# Cats...nuts?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 10, 2000, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002 "2000-02-10T00:40:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Regurgitator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@Regurgitator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regurgitator)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/1 "2000-02-10T00:40:00Z")
Why are cats so crazy? My cat seems to functon without regard to any sort of rationality. he goes outside and a minute later decides to come back in and then repeat the process 10-15 times, that says to me that he is wacko! Also he darts about in no particular direction for seemingly no reason. What do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![jaydabee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c89c15/32.png) [@jaydabee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaydabee)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/2 "2000-02-10T00:48:00Z")
They are auctually controlled by the aliens. They use cats as host so that they may get warm places to sleep and can pick and choose what kind of food they want while they wait for the mother ship to return. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/3 "2000-02-10T01:00:00Z")
Ever wonder about the cat’s opinion of **your** sanity? 🙂 Peace, mangeorge * * * I only know two things; I know what I need to know And I know what I want to know Mangeorge, 2000 ---
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/4 "2000-02-10T01:07:00Z")
I usually question the mental health of cat owners rather than cats themselves. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/5 "2000-02-10T01:11:00Z")
I for one refuse to consider cats “nuts.” I knew a girl in high school whose family I have had constant contact with for more than 30 years after graduation. I had made a product delivery to the girl’s mother at one point; the family cat was lying contentedly on a nearby couch. I happened to mention that the cat had never appeared in my dreams–a written record I have kept back to 1975. When I said that, the cat jumped off the couch and walked out of the room! Talk about snooty!! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/6 "2000-02-10T01:19:00Z")
The point of the above is: Cats understand us better than we give them credit for. :o ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/7 "2000-02-10T01:54:00Z")
they have sport psychology tests. They ask if you prefer cats or canines. Canines are group animals so if you choose that you are a better team player. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/8 "2000-02-10T03:11:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by handy: > \*\* > they have sport psychology tests. They ask if you prefer cats or canines. Canines are group animals so if you choose that you are a better team player.\*\* I’ve read that too, handy. The theory doesn’t stand up to direct observation. Take two generally held assumptions; Mostly women like cats. Women are better team players than men. (Watch some womens basketball) Yes, I live with a cat. And no, I’m not that good a team player. I don’t take the game seriously enough. Just wanna have fun. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/9 "2000-02-10T03:15:00Z")
They go outside, come back in, then go back out again because they’re checking out their territory! Jeez, if you’re going to be a cat owner (or rather, owned by a cat) at least found out something about them. Cats are very territorial – they frequently inspect their territory, whether indoors or out, to be sure all is well and there are no interlopers (other cats, prey, humans). Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape)wrote two books on feline behavior (I have them both). I’m sure there are many others - visit your local library. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/10 "2000-02-10T03:17:00Z")
I have three cats, two are certifiably insane, the third is only partially so. As to my mental stability, well, I have three cats… ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/11 "2000-02-10T03:23:00Z")
The secret of living with a cat? Just do as you’re told. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/12 "2000-02-10T03:41:00Z")
Hope we don’t end up with a double post here - I replied once, but it didn’t post. Anyway, your cat goes out, then comes back in, then back out again because he’s checking out his territory! Cats are very territorial - they check it often for interlopers – other cats, prey, humans. Jeez, if you’re going to own a cat (or rather, be owned by a cat), find out something about them! Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape) did two books on cats (I have both) and I’m sure there are lots of others. Visit your local library. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/13 "2000-02-10T04:27:00Z")
Is your cat a young cat? When they’re young, they enjoy a lot of stimulation, especially predator-hunt situations. If you don’t want the in-out game, try giving him toys that can exercise his claw-swiping tendencies. Territory is important, but cats really enjoy acrobatic movement. If they don’t have an outlet, they tend to get neurotic and obsessive about food. Plus,they adore petting and undivided attention. My kitties are all getting old-up in the 15 year bracket, so they sleep a lot. I miss those hyperkinetic times! ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/14 "2000-02-10T04:58:00Z")
I realized the true nature of kitties while watching “Little Big Man.” Little Horse, Jack Crabb’s indian brother, becomes a Contrary and does everything backward - he rides his horse backward, he says “Good-by” as a greeting, he washes in dirt and dries off in water. When I saw that, I thought, “hey - that could be my cat.” Now if my cat does something odd - the Angel Food Cake Incident comes to mind - I just say to myself - contrary. * * * Pumpkin’s Primary Feeder ---
**Author:** ![xekul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/838e76/32.png) [@xekul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xekul)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/15 "2000-02-10T09:16:00Z")
There was a song on the radio today morning about this. I think it’s called ``In and Out.’’ Anyone know who wrote it? The station, by the way, was Classical 96 FM in Toronto but they tend to play a lot of weird stuff like this on weekday mornings. And Disney songs. They do Disney. * * * ``Beware of elaborate telescopic meat; it will find its way back to the forest.’’ – William S. Burroughs, Tom Waits ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/16 "2000-02-11T06:50:00Z")
“In and Out”…great song, sung by Garrison Keillor, and he probably wrote it too. The gist is of a cat speaking: “I wanna go out…blah blah, I’m a free spirit, need to be independent”, then verse 2: “I wanna come in…blah blah it’s COLD out there, whaddaya trying to do, kill me!?”…etc. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/17 "2000-02-11T06:59:00Z")
Any time there’s a weather front moving through our area, all three of my cats go bonkers. They’re great predictors! * * * What would Brian Boitano do / If he was here right now / He’d make a plan and he’d follow through / That’s what Brian Boitano would do. ---
**Author:** ![Nickrz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@Nickrz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickrz)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2000, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/18 "2000-02-10T19:53:00Z")
I will not transfer this topic. I will not transfer this topic. I will not transfer this topic. I will no (gak) pet questions! (ptooey) ACK, (gurgle)… (gasp) wheeze ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/19 "2000-02-11T03:41:00Z")
Jeez Nickrz - you don’t like animals? What the hell is wrong with you? Let a cat adopt you – then you’ll be able to contribute something worthwhile to these threads(maybe) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2000, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-nuts/7002/20 "2000-02-11T04:00:00Z")
Maybe Nickrz is one of those closet cat lovers? Come on out, Nick, There are many of us. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge (Cat _and_ smiley lover.) 🆒