We currently have two rescue cats and two rescue dogs. Each is wonderful, loving, and interacts with us all the time. I have always contended that the perceived problem with cats are because the masters think the cats should act like dogs. No, No!! Treat the cats as cats. They will never fawn or slobber over you but the will want to be near you and cuddle with you They will never play fetch or learn tricks. But they will learn their name and about 100 words. They love to be on high places or in boxes. They generally do not do well on a leash because they have (I think) a more confidant view of themselves as compared to the submission of dogs. My two cents worth.
My current cats haven’t learned that ‘never fawn or slobber’ stuff. They’re after our laps, in the bed, trying to make the hands pet, all the time.
They are more affectionate than any we’ve had, and I think it’s because they were born into and initially raised in a volunteer rescue place where they were doted upon all the time.
One of my cats loves to play fetch. She will come drop a fetch item at my feet and won’t leave me alone until I play fetch with her.
Cats learn 100 words? Wow. The only sound our cats ever learned was treats in the bag. In the old days, it was the can opener working. A stern, loud “No” works...sometimes. When that fails, it’s a heavy clomp of the shoe on the floor to get their attention.
I love to hear stories about people who “rescue” animals and then realize that they, themselves, were rescued. Emily healed my heart after breaking up with my now husband. Stella healed my heart when Emily died. Beaux will heal my heart when Stella breathes her last. I steel my heart knowing that in this life there will always be a goodbye, but I know that there are so many needy critters who are waiting to heal me once more and the love I can shower upon them can’t come close to the joy they bring.
I tend to think of the not slobbering all over you as a feature—not a bug.
A cat’s cerebral cortex contains about twice as many neurons as that of dogs. Cats have 300 million neurons, whereas dogs have about 160 million. In fact, cats have more nerve cells in the visual areas of their brain, a part of cerebral cortex, than humans and most other mammals.
This explains why cats are smart enough to not perform silly tricks in exchange for food treats.
I’ve also read that an adult cat has about the same intelligence as a human toddler.
My KudzuCat played fetch. Loved it. His favorite was a tennis ball off the wall of the stairs landing.