Some cats dislike being laughed at and it can cause aggression
The same with dogs.
Machinist@lemmy.world 1 week ago
This applies to cats of average or above intelligence. There are a few dumb cats that have about as much awareness as a tater.
I’ve never had a shelter or bred cat. Instead, they just appear from the outside, get found in a parking lot, or sometimes materialize and no one knows where they came from. They get cleaned up and shots, chip, and fixed.
Some cats will get their prey/play drive mixed up and snap on you unexpectedly. Almost like they’re startled but it’s internal, they will often be ‘apologetic’ or confused afterwards. Some cats are worse about this than others and you shouldn’t wrestle or play rough with this kind using your hands, toys only.
And, yes. Cats are absolutely aware of the size and power differential. They’re always watching it at some level. Trust must be earned and often slowly built. Had one cat knock down a stack of pans and run behind me for protection. Some cats dislike being laughed at and it can cause aggression or cause retreat.
A cat’s love is transactional to a high degree, they’re lazy psychos that can learn friendship through trust. They love the comfort of you as much as they actually love you. They mimic affection and scheme a lot more than most people would like to think.
All cats are bad, it’s what makes them so great to have in your life.
FelixCress@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Machinist@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Yeah, dogs have much stronger sense of self, however. They feel insult, shame, sadness, guilt, and unfairness. I think cats view the laughter as more of aggression/dominance thing than the emotions humans or dogs would map to.
Sonor@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Scheme a lot more?
Machinist@lemmy.world 1 week ago
I have a cat that can call birds. We had a gap under the garage door, and she called sparrows in under the door before I adjusted the hang. She murder-a-lized them all over the house.
Had another, even more sadistic, cat that was very aggressive towards other people. I always had to warn guests not to believe her and not to pet her or they would get cut. She would call people to her and let a little petting happen before ripping a finger or arm. Same cat enjoyed scaring children, one time she jumped through the air and barked in a child’s face just to watch the fun. She had to be put down, I was the only person that was safe around her.
They use those same instincts on us to get what they want. They often want petting, treats, or attention so we don’t notice.
NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Thanks! Now I know again why cat lovers are such weirdos ;)
Spacehooks@reddthat.com 1 week ago
I always say anyone can get a dog to love them but a cat? Now that’s a person who treats well.