Are cats the pet of choice for intellectual/gifted people?

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Originally posted by Randy_K
Perhaps the real difference is that cat owners (and I use the term "owners" very loosely) are better able to understand subtlety. I frequently hear "dog people" say that cats are too independent, emotionally inaccessible and only need you for food. They miss the dependence, the need for affection and cuddling and play and all the other non-verbal communication.

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So, there is a difference, we are able to understand subtly, we don't have controlling personalities(who can control a cat?). Cats are difficult to understand, and it taxes a persons patience to no end. Usually this patience and kindness toward a living being that connot be controlled is reflected in that person's personality. Dog owners shout commands to get Fido to obey, where cat people just let the cat take a message and put you on hold. It's a more subtle kind on communication that get a cats attention, and cat people have that ability. There are dog AND cat owners in this forum that fit the cat persons profile, but overall I have to vote yes, cat people are different, and usually they are intellectual and gifted.... Just my observation, this is just an opinion poll here, unscientific of course...........P

This has been interesting, as has my little companion poll about introverted people. What I am certain of is that there is a certain type of person - the type that prefers cats exclusively. I do not really like dogs - (do not dislike them either, just do not connect) and this type of person is a *cat person*. Maybe stereotyping - but I have known many of them and I AM one of them. We are quiet, quirky, introverted, thoughtful, noncontrolling, patient, and I happen to think we are *interesting*:D I have also been labeled as intellectually gifted, but that seems almost snobbish, and I do not want to make cat people come across as snobbish - but it could be. Then again - I have read research that talented and gifted people are also prone to mental illness and do not to wear THAT label either (even if it fits):p :p

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Originally posted by Karen


I pose that bunnies are the pet of choice for intellectual/gifted people! :p

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Hey i agree!:D

Maybe it's only I that feels this way but somehow this thread is somewhat offensive.

It's sort of like saying Dog owners are less of a person than cat owners.


Especially the part about patience. Dogs take alot of patience and trust to train. It takes alot to gain that trust as well. Thus being the reason many, many dogs end up in the shelters, because people don't have patience.

How about I just say that all cat people are SNOBS? :eek: There, I lumped you all into one catagory. I'm sure you will not agree because it is a negative stereotype. But you will agree with being more "intellectual and gifted" as its a positive stereotype. :rolleyes:

Each cat is different, each dog is different, each person is different. I don't think it's possible to define's personality or intelligence based on whether you are a cat, dog, rat, bird, or non-pet person! My dog is very independent, he does NOT act like your average dog at all...probably more like a cat! lol So what am I..a dog person or a cat person? ;)

(Just for the record I don't think all cat people are snobs! Just people who think they are better because they like cats better than dogs...or visa versa...;) )

Okay, I have both dogs, cats, a ferret, a bird, and a Monkey! So how do I feel? Shucks I feel like an animal lover. I visit the dog side and the cat side and the bird side. I don't snob any of them.

I make my rounds, and don't just stick to one side. So no I am not a snob! Oh and I own a horse too.

I am a smart (alec!) and I love cats! :P :P

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Originally posted by Kfamr
Maybe it's only I that feels this way but somehow this thread is somewhat offensive.

It's sort of like saying Dog owners are less of a person than cat owners.


Especially the part about patience. Dogs take alot of patience and trust to train. It takes alot to gain that trust as well. Thus being the reason many, many dogs end up in the shelters, because people don't have patience.

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Hello K

I cannot understand why this thread would offend you!!???!!The part about patience, let me explain: It's tolerance and patience, as trying to get a cat even to come over by me and sit down is a game of wits. Cats understand, they hear you OK, it's just they in their little independant head do as they darn well please. They are extremely intelligent (did you see the cat in" Riply"s Believe it or not " that eats his food with a fork!? And how about training cats to use a humans toilet? Cats are so smart they refuse to be controlled. They are basically wild animals that choose to live with us. If they decide they don't want to live with someone, it's out the house through the screen door, and find someone else.

PLEASE.. don't be offended and don't ever think dog owners are less that cat owners. Cat people, as they are called, communicate in much more subtle ways than you do with your dog. It's an entirely different world, I have had Beagle hunting dogs, Collie's, and cats. Cats are wierd, different, and it takes a special person to get along with them.

Angel, Sweetiecat, and all my feral friends, and myself, appologize if we have offened ANYONE here. Sorry we cat people are coming off as snobs to you. There was no intent for that, it's just, well, gosh, CAT PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT =^.^=

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Originally posted by lat192004
It's tolerance and patience, as trying to get a cat even to come over by me and sit down is a game of wits. Cats understand, they hear you OK, it's just they in their little independant head do as they darn well please. They are extremely intelligent

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It's tolerance and patience to get many dogs to come to you also. Not every dog is a big happy golden retriever that comes bounding to you whenever you say their name. Like I said earlier, my dog is very independent. I can call his name, he'll look at me and walk the other way half the time. Dogs AND cats have such different personalities! Some cats WILL come running to you and play like dogs!

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PLEASE.. don't be offended and don't ever think dog owners are less that cat owners. Cat people, as they are called, communicate in much more subtle ways than you do with your dog. It's an entirely different world, I have had Beagle hunting dogs, Collie's, and cats. Cats are wierd, different, and it takes a special person to get along with them.

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So people don't communicate to their dogs in subtle ways also? I know that I've looked into my dogs eyes and we've communicated. Dogs are VERY in-tune to body language, not all people communicate to their dogs by just "shouting commands." :rolleyes: It takes a special person to form a bond and communicate with ANY animall, not just cats!

I believe I'm getting subtle signs that this thread may be getting hostile :mad: Wolf_Q, your last post even made my two cats run for cover:eek: Sorry to come off as snobbish. This is a simple poll. Answer yes, no, maybe, or no opinion. I can sense you picked no. Thanks for your input, all I can say is thanks for taking the poll. I never meant to get anyone hot over this, sorry if I offended:( :( . My patience and tolerance that helps me get along with cats so well has told me to say good night to all ;)

ALL I'm trying to say is that every cat is different, every dog is different, and every person is different! You can't put them into stereotypes! I hate stereotypes, even stupid ones like this! :rolleyes: Apparently this is too difficult to comprehend...

I have to admit that my Grover is very special to me, by the way Grover is a cat. She is special to me,(in case you don't know) because I bottle fed her. So I am very close to her for that reason.

I have two dogs that I care a lot about, well three if you count my daughter's dog. I worry more about Grover, because of what she went through, most of the people here on the cat side know what she went through.

Nobody is snobbing anybody here, we are all animal lovers. We share that bond.

Willie

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Originally posted by lat192004
Hello K

I cannot understand why this thread would offend you!!???!!The part about patience, let me explain: It's tolerance and patience, as trying to get a cat even to come over by me and sit down is a game of wits. Cats understand, they hear you OK, it's just they in their little independant head do as they darn well please. They are extremely intelligent (did you see the cat in" Riply"s Believe it or not " that eats his food with a fork!? And how about training cats to use a humans toilet? Cats are so smart they refuse to be controlled. They are basically wild animals that choose to live with us. If they decide they don't want to live with someone, it's out the house through the screen door, and find someone else.

PLEASE.. don't be offended and don't ever think dog owners are less that cat owners. Cat people, as they are called, communicate in much more subtle ways than you do with your dog. It's an entirely different world, I have had Beagle hunting dogs, Collie's, and cats. Cats are wierd, different, and it takes a special person to get along with them.

Angel, Sweetiecat, and all my feral friends, and myself, appologize if we have offened ANYONE here. Sorry we cat people are coming off as snobs to you. There was no intent for that, it's just, well, gosh, CAT PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT =^.^=

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Have you ever seen the dogs rescue people from snow, fires, help fire fighters out on 9-11, and all of the other amazing tasks they perform?

We're controlled, by the police, by the government, by our teachers, by our bosses - does that make us less intelligent because we're controlled?

Some dogs are as independent and do as they please - and some cats are able to be "controlled." Does this make either one of them less intelligent?

The reason it offended me is because by the thread topic, you're saying dog owners are less intellectual/artistic/musical etc...

My brother owns two cats that I love just as much as if they were mine. My brother is no different than I am. He's not so much musical, he's not artistic, he's not intellectual. :p


What do you mean we communitcate in less subtle ways?

Chill out guys ... sometimes I think that people on this forum take themselves waaaaaaaaay too seriously!

REMEMBER: Something can only OFFEND you if you LET it!

And we are ALL wonderful, animal loving people so let's simmer down, hey?

I agree with you on this one Tam, I think this thread was never mean't to be offensive in any way, and some of you are being a tad sensitive, NO CAT LOVER OR DOG LOVER is better than anyone else, we are all bonded together as ANIMAL LOVERS and that is all that matters, believe what you want, if you think being a cat owner makes you more intellectual or gifted so be it!!and vice versa.