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Why is there such a pathological hatred of cats in Irish society?
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Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,111 Mod ✭✭✭✭
Join Date:Posts: 59040
Can depend on the individual cat or dog. Some dog breeds can be very aloof. Huskies as one example. They can be very independent. Part of the breeds history was that they were used as pack animals in winter, but released into the wild in summer. Some individual cats can be very cloying. Constantly mewing looking for attention and getting the hump when it's not forthcoming. It's down to the individual and breed. As for cats not being pack animals. Researchers have found domestic cats often do form loose "packs" when they're out and about.Crimbouser wrote: »Cats just have a mind of their own and aren't really pack animals. They're affectionate and loyal but they aren't annoyingly people pleasing.
As are dogs, but people happy enough to see a cat bring back a bird or mouse would freak if their dog brought back a rat or somesuch(terriers are far superior ratters compared to cats).fishy fishy wrote: »Cats are hunters.
Unlikely. The huge number of feral dogs worldwide shows this. If we were wiped out tomorrow it's more likely dogs would survive long term. For a start they'd start preying on cats(as feral dogs do today). Dogs are genetically near identical to wolves. Behaviourally they differ, but without human interaction would quickly revert to full on Little Red Riding Hood mode. Look at the Australian Dingo(another affectionate but aloof dog when kept as a pet). Dogs and humans are also about the only predators that will regularly prey on animals much bigger than themselves. It's likely one reason why we took a look at each other (at least 40,000 years ago) and said "yea reckon we can work with that lot".Also, I know if we all were wiped out tomorrow, I know my cat would survive by eating our dead bodies (this is an excuse that people give to hate cats). She would be completely welcome to eat my dead body - I'm dead. What do I care. A dog on the other hand would sit there and say "what do I do now" until he too died of starvation.
Again down to individuals. Some dogs are dense and so are some cats. That said no cat has come close to the feats of cognition some dogs have achieved. EG The border collie in Germany that can understand 300 words and also understands abstract representation in object recognition(better than a 3 year old human IIRC).Cats are just, if not more as loyal as dogs, but a hell of a lot smarter.
Often because we introduce cats. And rats. Oh and pigs. Domestic pigs gone feral have caused huge die offs. The introduction of dogs doesn't seem to have near the same impact.Like it or not, the species that do the most damage to animals is *drum roll please* homo sapiens!Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.
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Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,111 Mod ✭✭✭✭ Join Date:Posts: 59040
I'd wash my hands after petting a dog too or keep the dog clean. Cats do have more pathogens they can transmit to humans alright(IIRC we can transmit dangerous stuff to them too), but that's probably down to the fact we've been living with dogs for far longer. We've grown together as a mutually beneficial species. Homo Sapiens was the first human to have dogs and many argue it's one of the big reasons we out competed other humans around at the time. Did no harm to them either. Wolves in the wild are under threat all over the world, yet there are billions of domesticated wolves laying at out feet.
Cats came later with the advent of agriculture. On that score they were also massively useful to us by keeping down vermin in grain stores and the like. Again its been good for them too. Wildcats are a helluva lot rarer in the world than the tabby curled up in your lap. Both dogs and cats are freeloadin bastids
Funny enough in the wild dogs/wolves will kill cats on sight if they get the chance(and any other predator they see as competition, like foxes and coyotes, even birds of prey). They're very like us in that way. However in the domestic environment contrary to Tom and Jerry cartoons cats and dogs tend to leave each other well enough alone. The odd bark and hiss on both sides, but rarely enough full on aggression. I reckon they're having meetings when we're not around. "Right so Cat, it's agreed. I'll lick my nuts and then his face, you spit on yourself and lick your arse and then rub your face in theirs? We'll then get fed. Sheesh these monkeys are fierce daft eh?". Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.
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My much loved cat, and one of my best friends for the last 8 years, died last week.
There are close relations of mine I would grieve for less that I will that cat. He was a four legged legend and I will miss him forever.
RIP fella
Cats rock.0 -
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I can confirm this is true, I've seen them conspiring. Our dog used to chase cats out of the garden and then strut back into the house for prase. When she thought there was no one around to impress I've caught her lying in the sun with the same cats best of friends.Funny enough in the wild dogs/wolves will kill cats on sight if they get the chance(and any other predator they see as competition, like foxes and coyotes, even birds of prey). They're very like us in that way. However in the domestic environment contrary to Tom and Jerry cartoons cats and dogs tend to leave each other well enough alone. The odd bark and hiss on both sides, but rarely enough full on aggression. I reckon they're having meetings when we're not around. "Right so Cat, it's agreed. I'll lick my nuts and then his face, you spit on yourself and lick your arse and then rub your face in theirs? We'll then get fed. Sheesh these monkeys are fierce daft eh?".0 -
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OldNotWIse wrote: »I've caught more diseases from people that I have from dogs
how many dogs have you rode?
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Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »how many dogs have you rode?
This response would be funny if it wasn't so predictable 0 -
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OldNotWIse wrote: »Depends on the individual animal. My dog is super intelligent, for example she knows that coat = walkies, car keys + coat = no walkies, car keys + coat + harness (for the car) = drive then walkies. She watches me and reacts accordingly. My cats (although I love them) are all fat fcuks motivated purely by the sound of a packet of ham being opened :rolleyes:
and yet the dog will embarrass you by poo-pooing where-ever he wants in front of whoever he wants.:D 0 -
OldNotWIse wrote: »This response would be funny if it wasn't so predictable
Grumpy much?
:pac:
You said you caught more diseases off humans than dogs.
I assume that was thinly veiled std reference, or did you actually catch a disease by shaking hands?
Or did you really mean you have had sex with both?:eek:0 -
True, but at least she does it outside. My cats? Huh, never seen anything like them. They have their own little brick house that opens out into a garden enclosure yet they still come back inside to sh1t and p1ss. Little fcukers are institutionalised I think :eek:fishy fishy wrote: »and yet the dog will embarrass you by poo-pooing where-ever he wants in front of whoever he wants.:D0 -
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Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »Grumpy much?
:pac:
You said you caught more diseases off humans than dogs.
I assume that was thinly veiled std reference, or did you actually catch a disease by shaking hands?
Or did you really mean you have had sex with both?:eek:
er...why??
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fishy fishy wrote: »and yet the dog will embarrass you by poo-pooing where-ever he wants in front of whoever he wants.:D
Dogs haven't gotten the hang of using the bog yet....
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/914213/0 -
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Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,111 Mod ✭✭✭✭ Join Date:Posts: 59040
Dog saliva is actually pretty pathogen inert. Dogs have very strong anti bacterial compounds in their saliva and throughout their digestive system. A dog can bury and then dig up weeks later a stinky bone that if you even touched it would land you in hospitalfishy fishy wrote: »cleaner than dogs. And what about the dog spit - that goes directly onto peoples faces when they "greet them". Do you give your face a good scouring? but they can munch merrily away.
Not according to numerous research on the subject. Cats are not stupid, not by any stretch and there are a lot of crosseyed morons in the dog world, but dogs are better at reading humans(and we at reading them), more socially intelligent and are better at learning novel tasks and responding to novel environments.fishy fishy wrote: »a dog is an idiot compared to a cat. (no offence to dogs, I love them), but cats are so much more intelligent it's scary. watch and learn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTuiE1_Oe8
(is it me or is embedding YT links on the blink??)Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.
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