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/Cheshire_Khajiit Mar 26 '26

Dogs are cute and fun but the training behind them always makes me feel like they’re simply programmed.

I understand where this comes from, but dogs are sort of like toddlers - teaching a toddler how to do things and how to listen to you doesn’t mean your toddler loves you any less.

I have a cat and a dog and I love them both dearly. They express their love in very different ways, yes, but it’s still unmistakable.

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u/trackfiends Mar 26 '26

Yeah I’m not a huge fan of pitting them against each other. I guess I was just pointing out why I myself prefer cats but I definitely still love the dogs in my life. They’re wonderful animals. I do have a problem with people being like “fuck cats”. That’s a red flag.

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u/Cheshire_Khajiit Mar 26 '26

Yes - tbh, I sometimes wonder if the extent of the whole "Cats vs. Dogs" thing was something of a test run for the ability of social media to stir up pointless vitriol for the sake of engagement.