3 ms·

> can be friendly This has been my problem with cats. They are hit or miss. I've grown up with cats and dogs and enjoyed both of their company. I never onc

> can be friendly This has been my problem with cats. They are hit or miss. I've grown up with cats and dogs and enjoyed both of their company. I never once had an unfriendly/bad dog. At least half the cats I had were... "distant" to say the least. Didn't really want attention, liked to be off on their own, etc. Of course, the good ones are so great. A nice kitty is a really great thing and if it weren't such a dice roll, I'd have cats now.

dsego 7y ago
Two absolutely adorable and friendly kittens in my life, both got snatched, probably by a neighborhood dog. Both times we were looking and calling out all day. Even mom and dad were in tears. I don't think it's a good adaption for cats to be friendly, at least for outdoor cats. The distant ones always got to live longer (at least the females, tomcats tend to roam and disappear after a few years).
- rubicon33 7y ago
  Similar story myself. Had a really amazing cat growing up, the friendliest little bugger... And so, so sweet. Went missing one day, and we never saw her again. Everyone in my family was heartbroken. I can certainly understand and agree that for a cat being so aloof and carefree probably isn't a great survival trait. Something got her, probably a coyote. I had another cat growing up that was far more distant. Didn't really like being held / pet (but would endure it). She was a hunter. Regularly brought back kills. She lived into old age, and died peacefully.
  - et2o 7y ago
    I had an outdoor cat growing up that lived to be 18. Spent about 1/2 his time outdoors and 1/2 his time indoors. He occasionally would bring back live mice or baby rabbits. So although he was self-sufficient in that aspect, when he was inside he was the most affectionate cat imaginable. He'd come and nuzzle his head into you and lay on your lap or chest until you petted him. He was never super affectionate with the dogs, but he put up with them. Cats are very complicated. Once in his old age he didn't return for about a week; we thought he had died. We put up posters for him around the neighborhood-it turns out that a family who lived in a house several streets away had "adopted" him (this was before RFID chipping). I still miss him.
    - spiralx 7y ago
      All cat owners seem to have owned more cats than they started out with :)
jmpavlec 7y ago
You should foster some kittens, then you can pick and choose the ones you want to formally adopt. If you don't mesh with the first batches personality, back to the shelter they go for a proper adoption. We had a "failed foster" and ended up with an amazing kitty.
spiralx 7y ago
> This has been my problem with cats. They are hit or miss. There's a crucial period between 8 and 12 weeks (IIRC) where if a kitten isn't handled regularly they are likely to always be somewhat wary around people. If you want an affectionate cat your best bet is finding a breeder and visiting them to make sure they're treating the kittens well and interacting frequently with them. I've owned or lived with a lot of cats over the years and the difference is very obvious, especially if you're a stranger.

dsego 7y ago

Two absolutely adorable and friendly kittens in my life, both got snatched, probably by a neighborhood dog. Both times we were looking and calling out all day. Even mom and dad were in tears. I don't think it's a good adaption for cats to be friendly, at least for outdoor cats. The distant ones always got to live longer (at least the females, tomcats tend to roam and disappear after a few years).

rubicon33 7y ago
Similar story myself. Had a really amazing cat growing up, the friendliest little bugger... And so, so sweet. Went missing one day, and we never saw her again. Everyone in my family was heartbroken. I can certainly understand and agree that for a cat being so aloof and carefree probably isn't a great survival trait. Something got her, probably a coyote. I had another cat growing up that was far more distant. Didn't really like being held / pet (but would endure it). She was a hunter. Regularly brought back kills. She lived into old age, and died peacefully.
- et2o 7y ago
  I had an outdoor cat growing up that lived to be 18. Spent about 1/2 his time outdoors and 1/2 his time indoors. He occasionally would bring back live mice or baby rabbits. So although he was self-sufficient in that aspect, when he was inside he was the most affectionate cat imaginable. He'd come and nuzzle his head into you and lay on your lap or chest until you petted him. He was never super affectionate with the dogs, but he put up with them. Cats are very complicated. Once in his old age he didn't return for about a week; we thought he had died. We put up posters for him around the neighborhood-it turns out that a family who lived in a house several streets away had "adopted" him (this was before RFID chipping). I still miss him.
  - spiralx 7y ago
    All cat owners seem to have owned more cats than they started out with :)

jmpavlec 7y ago

You should foster some kittens, then you can pick and choose the ones you want to formally adopt. If you don't mesh with the first batches personality, back to the shelter they go for a proper adoption. We had a "failed foster" and ended up with an amazing kitty.

spiralx 7y ago

> This has been my problem with cats. They are hit or miss. There's a crucial period between 8 and 12 weeks (IIRC) where if a kitten isn't handled regularly they are likely to always be somewhat wary around people. If you want an affectionate cat your best bet is finding a breeder and visiting them to make sure they're treating the kittens well and interacting frequently with them. I've owned or lived with a lot of cats over the years and the difference is very obvious, especially if you're a stranger.