Why do so many people hate cats? & Have misconceptions?

Hi Everyone

I have a kind of frustration I have noticed since I have owned cats. Many people hate cats. Why? When I encounter cat haters, it seems I get such responses as "Cats are evil" or "Dogs are better". I have been told everything from dogs are better because they can do some good (such as search and rescue etc) and are more trainable. Has anyone else noticed that cat haters are so, hateful? I encounter a couple of friends who routinely make their despise for cats known. 

Some examples
 

1) The other day I was talking (with a few other cat lovers on a chat) about what type of food we feed our cats. I mentioned I feed exclusively, Blue Buffalo Wilderness- the grain free, etc food. To which the "cat haters" said "It is all marketing, cats don't need expensive food".  etc.

2) When I mentioned about including my plans to include Xena in any emergency evacuation, etc plans. To which I was told- Cats will do fine and can fend for themselves. HARDLY

And I guess the final thing was, I mentioned I am against declawing and was bereaded for it. Being told, how I was a hypocrite because I spay and neuter my pets, but don't get them declawed. They claim spaying and neutering is purely for human convenience, despite the health benefits for cats.

These same people will go overboard, above and beyond to take care of the dog they own.

I just don't get the hatred and misconceptions. I wonder if a lot of it stems from the many superstitions surrounding cats, like a black cat walking under ladder or crossing your path.

Anyone else ever encounter this?

I hear a lot of the 'cats are sneaky and conniving' along with being evil.  I think it goes back to the Puritan routes of Europeans in the U.S.  The Puritans believed that witches used cats as familiars and as a window into the spirit world and to help them carry out their spells.

Denice said:

 
I hear a lot of the 'cats are sneaky and conniving' along with being evil.  I think it goes back to the Puritan routes of Europeans in the U.S.  The Puritans believed that witches used cats as familiars and as a window into the spirit world and to help them carry out their spells.

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I've heard a lot of 'boys like dogs and girls like cats' and 'cats are cunning' and things like that and I also like this animated movie but there is a black cat in it and it is a familiar so I totally agree with you that they have this thing about cats. I've also noticed that a lot of people that don't like cats REALLY don't like black cats...

I just ignore people like that.  They are obviously ignorant and ill-informed.

Part of it may have to do with their domestication too, and the misconceptions people make about that. Dogs have been bred far longer to be faithful to us, to be outwardly social and very obviously and blatantly loyal (strangers see this loyalty too), to be eager to please, whereas cats are smaller and less domesticated animals that are still preyed upon, so their nature is more wary. There are more outwardly social and happy go lucky dogs than there are cats, and dogs go out and meet new people all the time whereas it's not always the case for cats. People are more familiar with the idea that cats hide and are sneaky, and that when they do something, they're personified as spiteful.

Because so many cats aren't as outwardly social with strangers, only those in the household or close to the owners would know what a cat's real personality is like. They assume all the bad things they've heard about cats: they scratch and bite people for no reason, they hide from people, they shed everywhere, they puke everywhere, their litter box stinks up the whole house, they destroy all your furniture - and they say this stuff as if it's all the cat's choice because they're not trainable the way dogs are (like to stay, heel, and do tricks for us).

The people who talk about declawing vs spaying and neutering is a new one. If we compared it to spaying and neutering their dog vs debarking their dog, that would be a better comparison. You would be altering that pet for the betterment of their health and happiness, rather than removing a natural function that allows them to communicate effectively in their own "language" (sound and scent). And this is without getting into that weird hazy territory where people for some reason think that all animals think sex = happiness.

Fortunately I've never met anyone that ignorant. I'm sure some you can reason with and educate in a best case scenario, and others are better left as a lost cause to cut out of your network.

Hi there I think it's because with a cat you have to earn their love and respect. Cats r good judges of character and only give their love to those u truly deserve it. Dogs r a lot less selective. Cats rule!!

I find the same goes towards anyone who's never had a pet in their lives.. they just don't understand the love we have for these animals. I remember when my dog died, my BF at the time (who never had a pet), couldn't understand why I was so upset.. he just basically told me to get over it and get another. 

People are used to dogs behaviors and know what to expect from them. If they've never been around a cat, they can't truly appreciate what they have to offer. From a distance, they see an aloof, uncaring creature. They see cats as untrainable because they don't come when they're called (generally). I know my parents see this, but they make no effort to try to connect with my cats- they know I am crazy about them though. 

I used to be one of those people that hated cats and only liked dogs for the same reason. I never understood why people loved such an "evil, dirty, unloving" creature. Until I decided to chance on adopting a cat.. now I totally love cats (more than dogs, LOL)

There are lots of animals people like to "hate": bats, snakes, rats, mice, frogs, ferrets, lizards, raccoons to name a few. It's not just cats, or even other animals, most people have one person at work that they truly dislike. It think it's human nature to classify things into good and bad, and it's a waste of time to argue when someone talks about their preferences. In fact, they might be saying that stuff just to get a rise out of you (some people like doing that, too).

Cat's are very independent than other domestic animals. A cat has more than 100 DNA strands that are the same as humans (a cat is more a human's best friend - closer to humans)...that why cat's can also attrack AIDS...but the cat kind...different from the one humans can obtain. Cat's have attitude...Cat's are also very intellectual...maybe that's why some humans find them threatening . It is also said that people with cats have health benefits...a cat's purr will help to calm and relief stress from a person...it also helps against heart deceases (attacks). To me a cat is cleaner than a dog...they don't eat sh*t and they never smell like dogs...their seliva has anti-bacterial stuff and therefore is a cat a health friendly pet (friend) option to me...although I still love dogs and other animals...cats rule!

I love my cats and I think they are not seen as often in the public service area so they are not thought of as companions.  I had a dog that we took everywhere with us and people would come up to talk to her/treat her.

When I take my cat to the coffee shop and to visit my dad in a nursing home people here are awestruck.  They act as if they have never seen a cat on a leash.  We get stares from cars next to us when our cat goes with us.

I read a study for veterinary medicine of how few people take their cats in for yearly exams compared to dogs.  They were saying the numbers last year declined.

I just think they are not seen as intelligent or trainable. My cats are all smart, but they are also the bosses.

My DiL's mother finds cats repulsive. Once I got cats into the house she would no longer come in. It's all down to ignorance and stupidity that's all.

I have several People I know that adore their dogs. They make sure dogs get checkups, vaccines, etc. But cats don't "need" that. It just frustrates me

I used to take Banshee  (my  Baby) with me often, pretty much everywhere I could. She loved to ride in the car and if I'd jingle my car keys and say, "Ready to go, Banshee?" she'd meet me at the front door. She went with us to family reunions at a local state park, kind of to the chagrin of some of Rick's aunts, who wondered why in the world I was bringing a cat to a picnic. Dogs were OK in their eyes; cats not so much. Banshee and I ate separately from the rest of the family because she ate on a picnic table with me and I knew that would not go over well. After dinner, Rick and I would take her for a walk along a hiking trail. She was very well leash-trained. I packed her stuff up (Mom always said it was like packing for a baby: food, treats, water, her brush, litter and box, toys, etc.) and, in fact, I used a baby bag for Banshee's stuff. The aunts were not amused when I'd put a litterbox at one end of the pavilion where we were picnicking, even though it was at the end we weren't using for food. But hey, take me.....take my cat. (And my cat doesn't pee in the woods!)

Winchester said:

 
I used to take Banshee  (my

 Baby) with me often, pretty much everywhere I could. She loved to ride in the car and if I'd jingle my car keys and say, "Ready to go, Banshee?" she'd meet me at the front door. She went with us to family reunions at a local state park, kind of to the chagrin of some of Rick's aunts, who wondered why in the world I was bringing a cat to a picnic. Dogs were OK in their eyes; cats not so much. Banshee and I ate separately from the rest of the family because she ate on a picnic table with me and I knew that would not go over well. After dinner, Rick and I would take her for a walk along a hiking trail. She was very well leash-trained. I packed her stuff up (Mom always said it was like packing for a baby: food, treats, water, her brush, litter and box, toys, etc.) and, in fact, I used a baby bag for Banshee's stuff. The aunts were not amused when I'd put a litterbox at one end of the pavilion where we were picnicking, even though it was at the end we weren't using for food. But hey, take me.....take my cat. (And my cat doesn't pee in the woods!)

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Bravo to you Pam! I have gave up caring what the relatives think.

My MIL thinks I am crazy with my cats, but she openly admits if there is ever reincarnation she wants to come back as my cat.

People who actually "hate" a type of animal usually have underlying psychological problems and low intelligence. Additionally, making a statement like "I hate cats/dogs, etc," in the presence of someone who might own one as a pet shows incredible insensitivity toward other people.

People who "hate" an animal type are showing that they lack the ability to see the animal in a larger context. As an example, a normal intelligent person might reveal that they are afraid of snakes. Talking with them further you will likely find that the person understands that snakes play a vital role in the natural order of things, but that the way snakes move seems scary. Being afraid of an animal type is readily understandable - a bad encounter with a dog might make someone inclined  to be uncomfortable around dogs. Unfortunately, a person unable to think at a higher level simply "hates" something that makes them uncomfortable. In the same sense, a person who "hates" cats may have heard somewhere that cats are "evil,' this clearly demonstrates that the person is unable to understand how silly the concept of "evil cats" really is.   

Given that this sort of person can't understand why it might be unreasonable to hate an animal type, it is readily understandable that they could not realize how insensitive it might be to say "I hate cats" to someone who owns cats.

The real problem is that a person who states they "hate" an animal type is predisposed to harmful actions toward the animal. An inability to rationally understand their own discomfort coupled with insensitivity to the feelings of other humans makes it easy to justify swerving off to the side of the road to kill someones pet.

I generally avoid people who "hate" any animal type. If social circumstance forces me to be around them, I change the subject. If changing the subject fails I point out their stupidity in no uncertain terms. 

I wish we lived in a world where people were all a bit more thoughtful and intelligent.

Bengalcatman said:

 
I wish we lived in a world where people were all a bit more thoughtful and intelligent.

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Yes yes and yes! I think 95% of the time, fear or  "hatred" stems from ignorance. I personally find snakes fascinating, but i have a healthy level of respect for them.I educated myself about the different types, their purpose and so forth. I do not believe that God would put a useless animal on earth, and that all animals have intrinsic value and serve a purpose. I think once education takes the place of fear, we are a lot better off. 

It definitely speaks to the intelligence of a person if they are unable to socially function around other cat or dog lovers etc. I may not prefer dogs, but I would never say to another dog owner ""Dogs are evil"  etc. I think society in general is filled with insensitive and rude individuals who do not care about feelings of others.

I too tell the person, adamantly my thoughts.

I don't 'hate' snakes, there is no reason to 'hate' an animal that is unable to think or form some type of negative intent.  I do however have an unreasonable fear of them, my mother was that way too.  I grew up on a farm so saw snakes on a regular basis and was therefore exposed to my mother's fear from a very young age.  That is probably where I got it from.  I don't even go into the snake house at the zoo.  I wish I wasn't that way, I know I could overcome that fear but there is no reason for me to because I don't ever see snakes anymore.

I have heard cat haters come up with excuse that cat's will not drag you out of a burning or save you from drowning like a dog will. Maybe if these people stop to think, then they will come to the mind blowing revelation that a cat doesn't have the strength to do that, or that it's just plain survival instinct......DUUUUHHHHH!!!!!!

I would also like to add that even though I like dogs, I'm more partial to cats because they're lower maintenance. I have seen more nuisance dogs because a lot of dog owners are clueless about the responsibilities that go with owning them.