Having a Cat Does Not Cause Mental Illness, New Study Suggests • Hacker News Board

Re: Having a Cat Does Not Cause Mental Illness, New Study Suggests

#41

Post by dingaling » Thu, Feb 23, 2017, 1:40 PM UTC

daysforbeef wrote: post #20

jjtheblunt wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i realize you're joking, but it made me think: i wonder if there are any correlations about "not having a pet" with egocentrism.

I feel people who own pets don't see things from a pet's perspective. But that's probably just me. Having someone love you based on sort of sort weird stockholm-syndrome based relationship is weird. The cat comment, as much as it's a joke I have seen most folks around me who own cats have this need for constant drama. And Goodness, no matter how much the cats randomly lashes out at these owners, the owners still love…

> I have seen most folks around me who own cats have this need for constant drama

I actually consider cat owners as the inverse; they want the love and attention and cuddles and purrs, when it's convenient for them ( after a hard day at work etc ) but otherwise they can chuck the cat outside and foist the 'dramas' onto their neighbours.

It's possibly the lowest-responsibilty-for-owner pet possible but does require a total indifference to one's neighbours.

Re: Having a Cat Does Not Cause Mental Illness, New Study Suggests

#42

Post by __jal » Thu, Feb 23, 2017, 10:15 PM UTC

daysforbeef wrote: post #20

jjtheblunt wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i realize you're joking, but it made me think: i wonder if there are any correlations about "not having a pet" with egocentrism.

I feel people who own pets don't see things from a pet's perspective. But that's probably just me. Having someone love you based on sort of sort weird stockholm-syndrome based relationship is weird. The cat comment, as much as it's a joke I have seen most folks around me who own cats have this need for constant drama. And Goodness, no matter how much the cats randomly lashes out at these owners, the owners still love…

I don't have a pet precisely because I try to see things from its (theoretic) perspective. I love cats, and would have one in an instant if I were home more. But as it stands, the poor thing would just be locked in a boring house by itself all day. Still occasionally thinking of getting a young sibling-pair; I used to have a couple who annoyed the crap out of each other all day, which seemed to work well for keeping them entertained.

My experience with cat people is that they are all over the map in terms of personality. Given that >30% of households have one[1], that's what one would expect, I think.

And if your cat genuinely randomly attacks people, that's likely a sign that something is very wrong. The cat likely was abused when young, is currently abused/neglected, or is in pain. There are some breeds that are moodier than others, and if they aren't taught that human skin doesn't resist claws as well as their fur, they'll scratch when telling you they don't want attention. But that's different.

[1] http://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-...

Re: Having a Cat Does Not Cause Mental Illness, New Study Suggests

#43

Post by braveo » Fri, Feb 24, 2017, 2:42 AM UTC

cowpewter wrote: post #36

daysforbeef wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The question is why would you want to be stuck with someone who doesn't speak your language and gets pissed off at everything you do because they see you as dumb by default and their culture is the stark opposite of yours?

I kind of feel like we're speaking past each other here. I'm not sure what sort of dysfunctional cat/owner relationships you've observed to make you so vehemently opposed to the idea that they can be mutually beneficial. I assure you, my cats actively enjoy and seek out my company, attention, and affection, and I likewise enjoy and seek out theirs. When I get home, my cats run to greet me, with the straight upraised…

Don't bother, it's obvious they're not a pet owner and don't understand the sort of companionship one can have with pets.

When I first got my cat (for mousing) I was shocked at how quickly I grew attached to her. I had her about a week and she found a way out of the house, I searched and searched and searched and was about to let her go emotionally when I found her, and I was extremely happy.

And I had only had the cat a month, and no I didn't live by myself either.

You could use the same logic this person is using to describe a parents relationship with their child as well. It's just someone's opinion who has never owned a pet.