73 Cats -

Somehow it just seemed to emphasize the plight of the cat. I decided to look at Science Daily to investigate what is new and interesting in the cat world. The article that popped up? “Dog Ownership is Associated with Reduced Eczema in Children with Dog Allergies.” What? I specifically entered the tag for “cats.” Seems the world is enthralled with dogs while the scientific studies about cats are lacking.

Cats have often been the subject of disdain. “Dogs have owners, cats have staff.” “Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.” “Cats are kindly masters, as long as you remember your place.” You get the idea. Dogs are portrayed as benevolent, loving, and loyal. The general sense one gets when investigating the perception of cats is they are evil, aloof, and demanding. Can this be true? After all, the HSUS estimates there are 38.2 million U.S. households with a pet cat, many of those homes with two or more. Could there be that many people enjoying the status of “hired help” in their own homes?

Misunderstandings about cats may arise from the same behaviors which first endeared them to humans. Why do they get labeled aloof? Felines hunt alone since a pack is unnecessary to catch the vermin they kill. As survival for them does not depend on cooperative efforts, they are seen as independent. Those who understand cats realize they are not solitary creatures. They have a need to interact with others, human and/or non-human. As with other social beings, they need to play, to bond, and to share emotions.

Cats were initially prized for their ability to protect grains in storage from rats. As both cats and rats are nocturnal, it was the perfect role for a cat. Unfortunately, people are diurnal and do not share the same enthusiasm for late night activity, especially if they must go to work early the next morning. Perhaps it's just easier to label them as lazy or self-indulgent when they sleep during the day. With a little effort, instituting a playtime before bed can help persuade cats to live more on our schedule. Very accommodating of them!

The ancient Egyptians used cats for hunting birds and rabbits as well as for vermin eradication. Cats were worshipped and mummified after they died. They were often depicted as companions to the gods and there was even a cat goddess, Bastet. This elevated status proved deadly in the Middle Ages when the Catholic Church saw the relationship between the pagan gods and cats as proof cats were evil. They were considered associates of the Devil or even the Devil himself. Only witches sought the companionship of cats. Death to cats and their owners was the solution of the times. While the cat is no longer regarded in this manner, he is still portrayed in an unfavorable light. Superstition has it that if a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck. Some people believe a cat will suck the life out of a newborn or that a sick person will die if a cat escapes the house and refuses to come back in. Hollywood reinforces the stereotype with movies portraying cats as evil - “Dogs and Cats,” the Siamese cats in “Lady and the Tramp,” the Catwoman in Batman. Even the diabolical Dr. Blofeld in the James Bond movie had a cat. It's hard to break the stereotype, but good cat examples do exist. Look up “hero cats” and read about Samantha, Tommy, and KittyBaby, each who saved their owners' lives.

I did find two interesting studies as I surfed the web. The first – a scientific report about the cat's ability to manipulate human behavior with its' purrs (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8147566.stm). Dr. Karen McComb of the University of Sussex in England has been able to identify the sound a cat produces at a frequency which is similar to the cry of a human baby. She refers to it as a “pestering purr” and concluded that cats may use this sound in the morning to encourage their owners to get up and fill the food bowl. This makes it a little hard for me to refute the “demanding” characterization, but cats aren't perfect, so we'll allow them this one.

The second study reviewed perceptions of multiple-cat owners (http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=4470). It seems that non-cat owners characterize multiple-cat owners as “lonely” or as the“crazy cat lady.” Not surprisingly, this is at odds with the opinions of those who own multiple cats. In contrast, those with several cats refer to multi-cat owners as “caring and loving,” “generous,” “well-adjusted and fulfilled,” and “liking company.” Multiple-cat owners tend to be proud of their felines and have no problem telling others of the number of cats they own. To their credit, they understand the physical and mental benefits of owning a pet and they realize the special bond that cats can provide.

October 29 is National Cat Day. Why not join other cat owners who report their cats help keep life interesting and entertaining? The Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter is waiting to help you. Adopt a cat or two - you'll be in great company!