by Ruth
(England)

There is much more to having a cat in your home than simply feeding him and taking him to the vets when necessary.

Some people treat their cat like a baby, this is wrong. Cats are born to live a cat’s life, they like being cats and don’t want to be treated as babies, they don’t want to be dressed in clothes and sit in a pram.

Poster by Ruth AKA Kattaddorra. This is a thumbnail. Please click on it to see a full sized poster.

Some people allow their children to treat the cat as a toy. Again this is wrong, cats don’t like to be picked up and carried around by children. Maybe some tolerate it but it’s unfair on the cat.

Children should be taught to respect the cat as a living feeling being just like they are.

Sadly in some families, the cat is treated as a second class citizen to the dog.

Both animals should be treated equally and also equally as kindly.

It’s wrong to allow a dog to lie on the couch but to chase the cat if he does the same.

It’s horrifying how some people think it’s OK to spoon the cat’s food into a dirty used bowl or to forget to change his water.

I wonder how they would like their dinner on their last meal’s plate, or to drink stale water?

Neglecting to change the litterbox is disrespectful to the cat, he no more likes to use a dirty toilet than we would.

Cats like to lie peacefully, not always asleep, sometimes just watching from a warm perch, leave him be to do that if he chooses to.

Don’t put temptation in a cat’s way then punish him if he gives in to it. Leaving tasty smelling food on a table with a hungry cat around is asking for trouble.

It only takes a few minutes to feed the cat before sitting down to your own meal.

Leaving candles burning within a cat’s reach is very dangerous, he may be attracted by the dancing flame and burn his face or his paw. Respect that cats don’t see danger as we do, we owe it to them to keep them safe.

If a cat wants attention from you, or a door to be opened, don’t ignore him, stop and think for a minute how it must be to have to rely on someone for everything you need or you want to do.

It’s within our power to give our cats the life they deserve just by giving a bit of thought to how we can do that.

A cat is born with claws because he needs them, to have him declawed is cruel and unnecessary and is proof you have the wrong type of animal in your home.

Consider your cats needs and remember he has the right to respect from his human family and also the right to live a happy fulfilled life as a cat.