This is a hobby

Talking to friends yesterday and I was surrounded by 6 non-cat owners...and basically they think my cats are "too high of priority" in my life. One of them said that owing cats is a hobby and I was giving too much time/resources/concern to a hobby.

I was nearly speechless. Is this the reaction of a crazy cat lady as my friends think I am. Or was I right to be flabbergasted by that remark?

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but seriously, I can't be that far off of the mainstream? Is having pets in your life merely a hobby?

What a weird comment. I cetainly don't see my cats as a hobby

That's kind of odd of them to say- the first thing that pops in my head is that if having pets are a hobby, then having children must be a hobby as well. That's an ignorant remark on their part, they're obviously not as enthused as you are about your kitties. That's fine, it's their perogative. I think it was wrong to criticize you, saying you're spending too much time/resources/concern on cats. That was out of place, uncalled for. I would've probably exploded in anger if I were in your shoes

You're not wrong for feeling the way you did, I think we can all say we would feel the same way.

That's such a weird concept -pets are hobby? Do they even know what the definition of a hobby is?

I didn't lose my temper, but it did get very awkward as we talked further about behavior and treatment of pets. Very awkward especially when someone talked about punching a dog in the face because he was being attacked. I agree that one should be able to defend oneself against an attacking animal, but there were questionable circumstances that made me raise some questions rather being awed by his alpha status...which made for a tense dinner table.

Doing certain things with your pets can be a hobby - showing them, taking a dog for hikes, learning certain skills (i.e. training them to be search & rescue dogs, obstacle course, frisbee catching). You can pick it up and drop it when it fits or doesn't fit into your life. Caring for a living being is not a hobby. It's a choice and commitment you make when you bring that pet into your life, just as it (should be) a choice for bringing a child into your life.

Very odd thing to say, for sure!

I'm with valanhb... certain aspects of pet ownership can be hobbies (showing, etc.), but just having a pet? That's a major responsibility, and should be life-changing. Unfortunately, as you saw with your friends, many people view pets as a convenience and not worth troubling themselves over.

Maybe to an irresponsible pet owner, pets are seen as a "hobby".
But any responsible owner knows they are people, not "hobbies".

I'd say having pets is like having kids, it's more an occupation than a hobby, because it occupies all your time!

To me having a pet or animal compaion is an extension of your family...not a hobby! As a former non-"cat person" I pretty much understand where they are coming from but don`t agree with it.Even when I was not big into cats I still looked at them the same way as other animals i.e. having one is not a hobby and they are a part of the family.Tell those ppl you have another hobby called "flipping the bird" and then show them!

Meow,baby,meow!

They think cats are hobbies and that it's appropriate to punch dogs in their faces?

I'd opt for different dinner company.

yup, the sad thing is that many many people have these sort of ideas regarding pets. They are a convenience (see my neighbour ) or a toy for the kids or whatever. Some people seem to have a hard time getting the "living, feeling being" idea through their thick skulls.

It's primarily rooted in the idea that human beings are somehow superior to all other forms of life as opposed to just being, you know, MONKEYS.

Originally Posted by catattack1985

Maybe to an irresponsible pet owner, pets are seen as a "hobby".
But any responsible owner knows they are people, not "hobbies".

Click to expand...

Well, um, they're not people, but I know what you're saying.
Anthropomorphism is a slippery slope.

I find that to some people, a dog or cat is merely an afterthought. These are people that just have a dog or cat because it is the thing to do, or just to protect the house or just to look pretty lounging on the couch. Not real dog and cat people!!

Originally Posted by georgina

yup, the sad thing is that many many people have these sort of ideas regarding pets. They are a convenience (see my neighbour

) or a toy for the kids or whatever. Some people seem to have a hard time getting the "living, feeling being" idea through their thick skulls.

It's primarily rooted in the idea that human beings are somehow superior to all other forms of life as opposed to just being, you know, MONKEYS.

Click to expand...

No...I don't really think it's that. We ARE superior..sorry. Does that mean I feel we shouldn't adore our animals? Heavens NO!! I have dogs and a cat and I have hobbies surrounding them..and I work in order to support them and my hobbies. They are my everything!! But not because I think a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy..because I don't think that

I couldn't be around people like that. I had someone in my life once that was like this and I won't go through it again. I refuse to be around people that have so little regard for life. You shouldn't have to feel awkward and foolish for thinking that these beings are worthy of your time and affection. They make you happy. Friends shouldn't lessen that importance by the things they say in your presence.

You always have us! We get it.

I have never heard of pet ownership is a "hobby". My dad likes pets, but does not want to own one because of the commitment they require. That is the way I was raised is that pets are a commitment & you must care for them when you decide to take them on. I tend to see them as a part of the family, but they are a dependant creature that requires care. Once you have them you can not just decide to be done with them.

Yeah, I had to ask because I was beginning to wonder if I'm so far removed from the mainstream.

It does hurt that one of my closest friends thinks my cats are a hobby and not only a hobby but one that I've overindulged. She's a good friend, has come through for me during tough times so it's sad to hear such things from her. On the other it's not unexpected either. She has never and probably never will be a pet owner. She claims to like dogs, as long as they don't drool, pee, poop, lick, shed, touch her, etc

I don't expect her to care about my pets in the same way I do, but as a friend she could refrain from making feel bad about being a concerned pet owner.

The dog was punched because he attacked a person. But yeah, I raised some concerns and that cast a pall over the conversation.

Well, you said your friend isn't a pet owner, and a lot of people don't get it because of this. It's hard to understand a bond someone shares with a particular creature if you've never had that connection yourself. Us animal lovers can imagine it better than most, but a person who isn't "into" pets may think we make too much of a fuss. I'm sure there's more than a few people who know me that think I'm a totally neurotic cat owner

Hi,
I believe it is more then a hobby.We look after a member of our family