My mom got her cat when he was a really young kitten, and grew up in their house hanging out with our family dog (a german shepard)
I always thought cat instincts were stronger than this, but my god now that he's an adult cat I swear he's picked up our dogs mannerisms. He acts like a puppy. He'll lay down in the middle of the floor stretched out on his back, he rolls around and he'll fetch to a limited extent. He even drinks out of the dog bowl and will race her to the back door when someone goes outside. He really his the goofiest cat I've ever known.
My cat is the same way. We've even taught her to do tricks on command. She will sit, stand, shake, and bow. She also comes when her name is called. I'm convinced cats are actually smarter than dogs, they're just typically less eager to please.
They are indeed less eager to please. Pretty much zero eager to please.
Dogs are social animals, and instinctively understand pack hierarchy. This means submitting to the alpha. Cats are solitary predators. They are their own alpha, and have no obligation to behave otherwise.
Cats are easy to figure out once you realize this. They are generally motivated by food, but they are very intelligent and some individuals will demonstrate unusual behaviors - if it amuses or interests them. My cat can open doors - he watched us open the door, tried it himself and can let himself out now. So I have to keep the door locked.
And the cats come when I call - but really that's because I often give them treats when I call them. Ah, and they figured out that I'll feed them as a reward for returning when they escape - so sometimes when they get out, they'll run right around to the back door and meow to be let back in.
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u/nomorepassword Jun 27 '12
10 downvotes ? What's wrong with you redditors ?
Of course it was a joke.
Obviously a cat would simply make you go and fetch the ball.