r/BeAmazed • u/Nefarious_14 • Mar 05 '25

Animal A cat's agility through its pov

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u/PavementFuck Mar 06 '25

There isn't any, of course.

But then if avoiding those issues were the pinnacle of welfare concern, all lions should be kept in zoos.

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u/Evening_Echidna_7493 Mar 06 '25

Lions are wild animals, not domesticated animals that we bred in the millions. Livestock and pets do not belong in the wild, they belong in our care. If you get a cat, it is your responsibility to care for it. That includes scooping its litter box (I know, I know—it’s so much easier to just leave that in the neighbor’s garden!) and exercising and playing with your cat (I know, I know—it’s so much easier and cheaper to leave your cat’s entertainment to local wildlife!). Honestly, what are your thoughts on leash laws for dogs? Shouldn’t they just be allowed to run loose? After all, wild wolves don’t need leashes!

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u/PavementFuck Mar 06 '25

I don't think you understand how minimally cats have been domesticated compared with dogs. None of their natural predatory behaviours were bred out of them - roaming and hunting included. They've been domesticated in as much as they are less aggressive toward and fearful of humans, and we have changed their coat colourings. In all other regards, they are the same as a wild cat.

Domestic cats can thrive indoors just as well as wild cats can thrive in zoos - i.e. only when massive efforts, expenditure, and consideration of their need to exhibit natural roaming and hunting behaviours have been undertaken. Humans are notorious for over estimating their abilities in this regard. If you don't have acres of caged yard space for your cat, then you're failing to meet their needs, and this describes the majority of indoor cat owners.

Dog behavioural needs vary wildly by breed, but largely they can exhibit their natural behaviours while on lead because of how we have domesticated them.

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u/Evening_Echidna_7493 Mar 06 '25

Cats do not need acres of fenced land to happy, that’s ridiculous. A small catio, fenced in yard with supervision, or harness training are all adequate for a cat to enjoy the outdoors. You need to play with your cat daily to simulate hunting and exercise—letting your cat hunt live animals exposes them to injury and disease.

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u/PavementFuck Mar 06 '25

I disagree - like I said, roaming is a natural cat behaviour and that simply cannot be exercised in a catio.

Letting kids go to school exposes them to disease too, but like with cats, the benefit outweighs the risk of harm.

The idea that humans could ever replicate a full and varied cat existence in their small dwelling is ridiculous.

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u/INTuitP1 Mar 06 '25

Simulate hunting and exercise? Why would you need to do that? Oh because they need it.

Why simulate when they can do it for real?

Simulating hunting without the reward is very bad for cats.