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The Killer Cats Are Winning

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Re: The Killer Cats Are Winning

#2
"but cats, their human partisans will proudly point out, cannot be tamed or herded"

Just check CATMANTOO channel on Youtube, you will be amazed at what he makes his cats do.

And apparently it's that hard to train a cat, he says you can do the same with yours.

Re: The Killer Cats Are Winning

#7

You'd ask yourself just how diverse the wildlife in an urban environment is, where the bulk of domestic cats live. Right now I'm not convinced about the ecological impact.

There are over 250 species of bird present for at least part of the year in the city where I live, which has a population of 880000.

Re: The Killer Cats Are Winning

#8
post #5

And a counterpoint http://www.npr.org/2016/04/04/473002208/facing-a-growing-rat... That example is why cats were domesticated in the first place. Not having a healthy predator prey relationship in areas leads to public health issues.

Dogs can be trained (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Terrier) to kill rats in a much more controlled fashion than having free range cats wandering around.

Re: The Killer Cats Are Winning

#9

"but cats, their human partisans will proudly point out, cannot be tamed or herded" Just check CATMANTOO channel on Youtube, you will be amazed at what he makes his cats do. And apparently it's that hard to train a cat, he says you can do the same with yours.

Fully anecdotal, but got into a conversation with an animal trainer once after a demonstration that he put on. After mentioning how impressive the training of the cats in particular he said he actually preferred working with them and got more accomplished in his training sessions with them.

Said they were much more "business-like" and weren't distracted by everything like dogs are.

Re: The Killer Cats Are Winning

#10

"but cats, their human partisans will proudly point out, cannot be tamed or herded" Just check CATMANTOO channel on Youtube, you will be amazed at what he makes his cats do. And apparently it's that hard to train a cat, he says you can do the same with yours.

It's amazing how a cat will learn something in 5 seconds if they are truly motivated. They will learn a squirt gun so fast they will spook if you make one with your fingers. My cats learned what "treat" meant in a day and run to the kitchen if we say the word to them.
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