• danc4498@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        You can like it, but the hard truth is that cats were never domesticated. They can leave anytime they want and would be fine. Humans would never be the same, though…

          • angrystego@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            I think that’s because the narrow scientific term domestication is used in casual speach with a shifted meaning. And that’s because we don’t have any other expression for animals that you can be friends with that would sound as cool as domesticated (taming is too tame).

            Edit: Sorry, got lost in the threads. I’ll leave it here because it is still kind of on topic. I guess I should also add that domestication is a process and the line where an animal is considered domesticated is arbitrary.

        • angrystego@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          This only works for outdoor cats and in areas with plenty of prey. Most indoor cats don’t do well if left on their own and outdoor cats often struggle too.

        • Adlach
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          1 year ago

          My cat would die in seconds if I let him outside. He’s too dumb to live.

    • bstix@feddit.dk
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      1 year ago

      That’s what big cat wants you to think.

      In reality, cats already ate the rodents, but now you have to pay them for doing it.

    • bitsplease@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Hell. Even today cats are great for pest control, my cats go nuts if there’s a fly in the house until they get it

      Granted, a cat leaping across the room constantly to try and get it is way more annoying than the fly itself, but still lol

  • CryptidBestiary@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I find it funny that besides intellect, us humans possess the greatest power, which is petting. Petting allows us to be friends with most animals that would otherwise kill us

        • Globulart@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Cats didn’t domesticate themselves by being fed directly by humans. But humans still brought the food because humans bring rats and mice with them, cats stuck around for the greater volume of prey.

          And the scritches, obviously.

    • jballs@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Pretty sure my cat would still kill me if he had the ability. He’ll be like “Give me pets. Scratch my belly. Now DIE!”

      • Cysioland
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        1 year ago

        AFAIR it’s because the cat showing you their belly is not “scratch my belly” but rather “I’m not afraid of you so I show you my most fragile of bits”

        • Mesophar@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          This for sure. Next time your cat shows you their belly, scratch the back of their head or pet their back like you normally would and see if they react better.

          • Cysioland
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            1 year ago

            My cat actually loves belly rubs, but I remember that little tidbit with other cats.

            • Mesophar@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              Some cats do like it! Depending on situation, mine do as well, but my roommates have a cat who will quickly flop over to show her belly if you pet her, but will act offended and give a warning bite if you try to pet her there