The Cat’s Public Relations Problem

A common saying illustrates how cats are wrongly viewed. It’s the one that goes, “You know what’s wrong with a kitten, don’t you? They grow up to be cats!”

Because it’s hard to think bad thoughts about kittens, isn’t it?

more cat pictures

Yet, starting from undeniably cute and cuddly beginnings, many people believe the cuteness and cuddliness goes away as the cat grows up, never to return.

This is the cat’s Public Relations Problem.

Cats, even as kittens, are mistakenly seen as interchangeable and disposable. Without first-hand experience of cat affection and playfulness, too many people continue to believe that cats are low maintenance, low engagement, and low enjoyment.

A kind of furry goldfish.

While cats are as equally as complex a mammal as dogs, they get medical care, ID collars and chips, shelter retrieval when lost, and owner registry cooperation at rates that are a fraction of the dog’s. This isn’t only a crisis for homeless cats. It’s also a whole lot of people, wanting and willing to have a great pet experience, and missing out.

However they got the cat, they are simply not seeing the cat as worthy of their time and effort.

I think it’s because dogs are easy. Not in their care, certainly; dogs require a lot more hands on effort than cats do. From seeing to their bathroom needs in all weathers to meeting their serious exercise requirements, dogs require a commitment of time and space many people cannot provide. Yet when wistful pet people complain of constraints that keep them from having a dog, they dismiss my suggestion of cats. They think what they are looking for can only be met with a dog.

I know why they think this. Dogs are easy in the area which matters most: feedback. Most people find it easy to tell when the dog is sad, when the dog wants something, and when the dog is happy. There’s no question that the dog is glad when they come home, that the dog wants to be with them, and that the dog is grateful when they get what they want.

They could get the same gratifying feedback from a cat relationship. Only one thing stops them. True, most of the time they don’t know how, but that’s easy to fix. Worse yet, they don’t think it’s possible.

This is what makes a cat’s Public Relations Problem our problem too. Because, as Cat Appreciators, we are offered the same outright neglect that cats are. Dogs have more veterinary research, more useful products, more range of toys, and more books, videos, and experts wanting to help people maximize their dog experience.

Things are slowly changing for the better. There are vet clinics devoted to cats only. The importance of pain medication and short-term mood handlers are beginning to be understood with cats. It’s easier to find cat furniture, and more creative toys.

Cat Appreciators need to break the sterotype that holds back both cats and those who could potentially love them. One well-known book on dog intelligence devoted a whole chapter to bashing cats’ suitability as pets, and insulting those who love cats as delusional personalities in need of therapy. I’ve even had people tell me that the cute and affectionate cats in the pet food commercials are specially trained cats who are only acting that way so the company can sell pet food to suckers.

So I’m not imagining the depth of the problem.

I recognize that cats are not for everyone. For hiking mountains, helping the physically challenged, and guarding our homes and persons, dogs are clearly the better choice.

But what most people want from a pet is what we all want from a relationship. Affection, enjoyable activities, and a face that’s glad to see us at the end of the day.

Cats can do that very, very well.

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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.