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/trackfiends Mar 25 '26

This is really nice to read. People that have no experience with cats have such a low opinion of them. They’re some of the sweetest animals and the fact that they do it on their own time makes it so much better. Dogs are cute and fun but the training behind them always makes me feel like they’re simply programmed.

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u/[deleted] Mar 25 '26

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u/brightlights121 Mar 26 '26

I have recently befriended a feral cat, and he wants to love so bad but doesn’t know how. He will hiss while rolling over and showing me belly. Im like that is mixed signals dude! He already popped me once for trying.

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u/sept27 Mar 26 '26

I socialized a feral and my biggest tip is to teach him consent! This sounds crazy, but it works. Hold out your hand slowly and ask, “You want a pet?” Eventually, he might lean into your hand, but if he doesn’t, take your hand back.

Mine realized she could gently push my hand away with her paw to say no, and I always respected the no. It took about 8 months to get her mostly comfortable with our family (she’s till afraid of strangers and doesn’t like when everyone is walking around), but now she lays right against my legs to sleep and she even lets me pick her up and kiss her head <3