Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Does anyone feel that this should not be the sole reason for getting a cat?
There is nothing wrong with having "working cats" as long as you take good care of them.
Many farms have barns full of cats whose main duty is to keep the place rodent free.
It's no different than "working dogs", like dogs for the blind, or stock herding dogs.
But unlike dogs who enjoy and look forward to doing their work, cats are not good workers.
They tend to be lazy and only work when they feel like it.
There is nothing wrong with having "working cats" as long as you take good care of them.
Many farms have barns full of cats whose main duty is to keep the place rodent free.
It's no different than "working dogs", like dogs for the blind, or stock herding dogs.
But unlike dogs who enjoy and look forward to doing their work, cats are not good workers.
They tend to be lazy and only work when they feel like it.
Location: Vermont, grew up in Colorado and California
5,296 posts, read 7,239,530 times
Reputation: 9253
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fat Freddy
There is nothing wrong with having "working cats" as long as you take good care of them.
Many farms have barns full of cats whose main duty is to keep the place rodent free.
It's no different than "working dogs", like dogs for the blind, or stock herding dogs.
But unlike dogs who enjoy and look forward to doing their work, cats are not good workers. They tend to be lazy and only work when they feel like it.
Location: Greater Los Angeles area (unfortunately)
177 posts, read 757,916 times
Reputation: 173
Quote:
Originally Posted by cool rob
Does anyone feel that this should not be the sole reason for getting a cat?
Well, aside from how I feel about that question, why would you want to pay all the expenses of having a cat only to get rid of mice? Mousetraps will be cheaper and more effective!
The major problem with that idea is there's no way of telling which cats will be more motivated for catching/killing mice than others. I have one of the laziest cats in the world. Watching her attempt to catch bugs is both pathetic and hilarious! So if someone gets a cat to use as a mouser, and the cat doesn't perform, what happens to it? Back at the shelter? Killed? Not a good idea, in my opinion.
Location: Vermont, grew up in Colorado and California
5,296 posts, read 7,239,530 times
Reputation: 9253
Quote:
Originally Posted by ablau
Well, aside from how I feel about that question, why would you want to pay all the expenses of having a cat only to get rid of mice? Mousetraps will be cheaper and more effective!
The major problem with that idea is there's no way of telling which cats will be more motivated for catching/killing mice than others. I have one of the laziest cats in the world. Watching her attempt to catch bugs is both pathetic and hilarious! So if someone gets a cat to use as a mouser, and the cat doesn't perform, what happens to it? Back at the shelter? Killed? Not a good idea, in my opinion.
Well, aside from how I feel about that question, why would you want to pay all the expenses of having a cat only to get rid of mice? Mousetraps will be cheaper and more effective!
The major problem with that idea is there's no way of telling which cats will be more motivated for catching/killing mice than others. I have one of the laziest cats in the world. Watching her attempt to catch bugs is both pathetic and hilarious! So if someone gets a cat to use as a mouser, and the cat doesn't perform, what happens to it? Back at the shelter? Killed? Not a good idea, in my opinion.
Thanks, one more question..I know in dogs certain breed specfifc dogs are workers, is their any particlaur breed of cat that are naturals?
I remember when I was a kid, we took in an alley cat, and I tell you that cat would bring in mice, rats, moles, snakes, frogs, you name it.
Location: Greater Los Angeles area (unfortunately)
177 posts, read 757,916 times
Reputation: 173
Again, I think it depends on the cat's personality and it's too hard to predict. But I would say that certain breeds just bred for their "prettiness" are probably crappy hunters.
You might have good luck with the more wild, athletic cats (Savannahs, Bengals, etc) but those cats are super expensive. I think most Savannahs are a few thousand!
Cats haven't really been domesticated as workers, so they don't have specific tasks that dogs do. And since they don't really form hierarchies and packs, they aren't as motivated to please you, like dogs are.
You can watch purebred dogs in their element and really see how their breeding has perfectly designed them for their work. Cats, not so much.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
