Tssk! Good colleagues. Cat thinking is highly unlikely to be even remotely
similar to ours, as the cat is an almost entirely carnivorous and
essentially solitary animal.
What we see in domestic cats is a sad repression of the adult cat by
artificial prolongation of the kitten stage (neutering helps this process
greatly, although it is not always essential). Almost all domestic cat
behaviours can be understoood in that form. We respond favourably to the
play cues they emit, as we are social omnivores and are well used to
prolonged adolescence in consequence (see Jane Lawick-goodall's films of
chimpanzees for confirmation). Unlike dogs, cats never seek a firm position
in our family hierarchy, as they have no social instincts beyond those that
suit kittenhood, so they are much less demanding than dogs and far less
likely to bite a child (or new partner) they see as a usurper of their
place. As the kittenhood is artifical, it seems less fixed in orientation
than would be the case in a social animal, so they tend to transfer
allegiance more readily than for example a dog.
On the other hand, their silky fur, tendency to sleep whenever they are not
hungry and especially their purring do seem to offer comfort. We could ask
why......?
Stephen Rennie
> -----Original Message-----
> From: G.F. Phillips [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 2:58 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: don't be afraidt
>
> Hello Pamela
> with a clever puddy cat like that you are more than qualified to get into
> the discussion. I read somewhere while sitting in the vets that cat's
> thinking can be similar to humans. Wish I'd torn the article out now.
> A clinical psychologist friend of mine thinks it may be true. Of course
> he knows that I'd believe anything good about cats :-)
> Best
> Gerald
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pamela Harper < [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> <
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
> Date: 15 April 2003 13:52
> Subject: Re: don't be afraidt
>
>
> I had a cat who used to play the old type computer games i.e. space
> invaders. He would sit on to of the monitor and if Martin my son missed
> any he would zap them with his paw. Does that qualify me to get into this
> discussion
>
> Pamela and power
>
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