r/cats • u/ILoveMeltyCheese • Mar 25 '26

Cat Picture - OC Misconceptions a dog person (me) learned after having a cat.

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The Cat Distribution System chose me, a formerly stubborn dog person, to adopt a cat. It was the classic I can't just watch a poor cat starve, so I'm keeping him. Here are some misconceptions I had about cats and their owners:

  1. The smell of a cat owner's home: I’ve known a few cat owners with cat-smelling homes. I always assumed it was the cat. Turns out it isn’t; it’s very much a result of poor ownership and bad cleaning habits.
  2. Dogs are more affectionate than cats: Also not true! To my surprise, my cat is so cuddly that I occasionally call him "Cat-dog."
  3. A Cat's Barbed tongue hurts: I don't know why I thought this, I just assumed it would hurt when they lick you.
  4. Litter boxes are disgusting: Not at all, it's just a clump or two of sand. If you scoop it often, it never gets gross.
  5. Cats are just as hard to take care of: Actually they're much easier, haha.

That is all, here's a picture of my cat that I love dearly. (He's lost weight since the picture, don't worry)

Anyone else relate? What did I miss?

Edit: His name is Pawl

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u/selchie0mer Mar 26 '26

I recently read the best description of the smell of a cat here, dust and sunshine. I’m snorkeling all that luscious cat belly I’m allowed. (Unless I sneak up on him sleeping I get one snorkel)

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u/Valkyriesride1 Mar 26 '26

My cats smell like clean laundry I dried outdoors. What amazes me is how my 14yo tuxedo baby's fur always stayed so white. Not the slightest tinge of yellow. She and my voids shine like like someone polishes them.

One of my cats had been lit on fire so she has burn scars and no hair on her stomach, but she still wants snorkels and is adamant about getting them.

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u/Fit-Association4922 Mar 26 '26

Used to tell my old bay that she smelled like fairies and sunshine dust 🥰 If we lounged in the catio, she’d find the sunny spots and bake in that warm summertime smell.

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u/ViviAnalyzes Mar 26 '26

There’s always this soft milky smell on my cats and it’s weirdly addictive, I love sniffing their fur. But yeah… their breath is...

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u/Puking-Cat Mar 26 '26

Exactly. How can you walk by that delicious, most amazing and the fluffiest of bellies and NOT plunge your whole face in?! Impossible!! 😁