If you’re a proud owner of a dog, a cat, a chinchilla, a hamster, or a lizard (we love all animals here at CNN News!) you know how miserable life would be without them. No wonder research has shown time and again that people with pets are happier. The set of round eyes, wagging tail and wet nose can surely boost your spirits when you need it the most.
However, not everyone has facilities to have a furry friend, at least not at this very moment. And in that case, this post will do the job by giving us a glimpse into the world of pets and their owners.
We wrapped up some of the funniest and most relatable tweets people shared about canines and felines this month, and it’s a kind of entertainment you don’t want to miss. From cute pics and spot-on observations to bits of daily reality of living with cattos and doggos, this is the purrfect fun I am talking about.
Scroll down, upvote your favorite tweets and be sure to share our previous features with more dog tweets here, here and here.
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Since dogs are our best friends, we all pretty much know what it’s like to live with one. Even if you don’t have one, the chances are your friends, neighbors or parents are dog owners. But life with a cat is somewhat more subtle. You see, sometimes it seems like it’s not you who has a cat but rather a cat who has you.
So to find out more about what to expect from cats, CNN News spoke with Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training and behavior specialist who runs Cat Behavior Solutions agency, who shared some illuminating insights into the complex feline mind.
There are many unique things about the way cats act from a behaviorist point of view. DeVoss said that people tend to think of cats as little meowing dogs, but they are a very different species. “For instance, your cat shares 96% of its DNA with tigers, so they really are much like having a tiny tiger living with you. Unlike tigers, who can consume up to one hundred pounds of meat in one sitting, then fast for many days, in the wild, your house cat will eat 10 or more small meals a day. They get over half their calories from protein and 46% from fat, leaving 2% from carbohydrates – yet much of the food we feed them has a greater percentage of carbs,” she explained.
Another unique behavior is that they scratch surfaces as a territorial gesture. “Cats have scent glands between their toes that deposit a unique scent signature. Not only does a good scratching session stretch the back and remove dead nail growth, it also lets other cats know who the things ‘belong’ to.”
When asked whether cats get attached to their owner(s) as much as dogs, DeVoss said that’s absolutely the case and maybe more. “Cats are very sensitive creatures who can detect our moods and emotions. Cats don’t display their emotions as outwardly as dogs do; cats communicate in very subtle body language cues, which may lead people to believe they don’t feel as much as dogs.”
It’s no secret that there are tons of cat behavior myths surfing around that in fact have very little to do with reality. One of the most common cat myths is that they can’t be trained, DeVoss said. “In fact, cats respond very well to positive reinforcement. Cats are highly motivated by food, so with the right treats and techniques, you can train your cat to do just about anything.”
“Another myth is that cats are low-maintenance (compared to dogs); cats need daily attention, and while they don’t need to go out on a walk, they do need daily prey play – a play style that simulates the predatory hunting sequence,” she said.
“‘Cats are nocturnal’ is another myth; cats are actually crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk, when their prey is scurrying about. A lot of people believe cats are aloof, when in fact, they develop deep relationships with their owners. Some cats are more shy than others, but all cats can learn to trust and be more confident if people take the time to earn that trust,” the cat behaviorist explained.
Meanwhile, any change in a cat’s routine should be a warning signal for a cat parent. “Cats are highly territorial home bodies who develop daily rituals and routines. When a cat is out of sync with their normal schedule and behaviors, something is awry. It’s unusual for your cat not to want to jump and climb to high places. Being in a high position makes cats feel safe from unwanted interaction,” DeVoss told CNN News.
If you are thinking of becoming a cat owner, you may want to consider if you’d be a good fit for this animal. “People who are very observant and compassionate make great cat parents. People who are a little nerdy who will do research on cats to learn about their species are also good cat moms and dads,” DeVoss said and added that “Cats communicate in very subtle gestures, so if you stride through a room without taking a good look at your cat, you might miss an important form of communication.”
The feline behaviorist concluded that “when we take the time to learn about our cat species and what they need, we are better able to provide an environment full of enrichment and satisfaction, which helps to alleviate behavior issues.”
Note: this post originally had 109 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
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