A Harris Interactive poll explored how pets are members of the family, and people do things with their pets that they would their human family members. How does your household line up to these key answers?
Too often, I run into owners that don’t realize they see their pets more like an object, furnishing their home, rather than a living being with needs, wants, motivations and the ability to be happy or miserable. Getting people to realise that their cat is in fact at the very least a roommate, and a life companion – and even a soul mate for some, can be one of the more challenging aspects of my job. And it is step 1 in understanding why problem behavior occurs and the jumping off point for addressing that behaviour. However, doing so also strengthens their bond with and lets them get more satisfaction from the relationship with their pet, so whoever these people are in that poll – they’ve got the right idea 😉
Looks like my peeps are pretty much going with the flo, there. Allow us to sleep with them? MOUSES! They’re disappointed if we don’t!!! Christmas prezzies? Usually more prezzies under the tree for us than them. And when Nissy was sick, Peep #1 made chicken broth for him and that was a big deal on account of her being a veggie and all. As for the dressing up bit, they don’t do that and believe me, I shall be eternally grateful. Not that we’d allow it even if they were to try. MOUSES!
Carmine and Milita would never allow me to dress them so I don’t. I don’t cook for them specifically, either. But I do everything else. 🙂 They pretty much run the house, you know.
Hannah sleeps on the bed with me every night – Lucy doesn’t as she likes to sleep on her own on the sofa!! I cook a chicken breast for Hannah every 2 – 3 days as it’s her favourite meal but I try and make it last over 2 – 3 days and I always cut it very small as she has no teeth due to the bad start she had when she was in the hoarding situation.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
guys….we a greed with everee thing on heer but de cookin quest shunz….de food gurl heer in TT canna even boil waterz rite….we wood be hard pressed ta eat sum thin her cooked……. 😉
heerz two an Australian ghostshark kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
Well, there’s no dressing up the kitties or cooking (I have in the past but I don’t even like cooking for myself), but yes to the sleeping and gifts. They are definitely our family!
We count ourselves members of the first three groups but not the last two. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Yep, we’ve pretty much covered all of those in my household!
<3 This is so encouraging to see!
Too often, I run into owners that don’t realize they see their pets more like an object, furnishing their home, rather than a living being with needs, wants, motivations and the ability to be happy or miserable. Getting people to realise that their cat is in fact at the very least a roommate, and a life companion – and even a soul mate for some, can be one of the more challenging aspects of my job. And it is step 1 in understanding why problem behavior occurs and the jumping off point for addressing that behaviour. However, doing so also strengthens their bond with and lets them get more satisfaction from the relationship with their pet, so whoever these people are in that poll – they’ve got the right idea 😉
what a great reply! I completely agree.
We sure do all those things in this house with all the many cats. Everyone gets attention every day. And the cats are my family.
Looks like my peeps are pretty much going with the flo, there. Allow us to sleep with them? MOUSES! They’re disappointed if we don’t!!! Christmas prezzies? Usually more prezzies under the tree for us than them. And when Nissy was sick, Peep #1 made chicken broth for him and that was a big deal on account of her being a veggie and all. As for the dressing up bit, they don’t do that and believe me, I shall be eternally grateful. Not that we’d allow it even if they were to try. MOUSES!
Purrs,
Seville
Carmine and Milita would never allow me to dress them so I don’t. I don’t cook for them specifically, either. But I do everything else. 🙂 They pretty much run the house, you know.
Hannah sleeps on the bed with me every night – Lucy doesn’t as she likes to sleep on her own on the sofa!! I cook a chicken breast for Hannah every 2 – 3 days as it’s her favourite meal but I try and make it last over 2 – 3 days and I always cut it very small as she has no teeth due to the bad start she had when she was in the hoarding situation.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
What a great mommy you are to Hannah and Lucy!!! And Hannah, good on you darling beautiful girl!
No cooking and no dressing up. The other two…you betcha!
Um, we’re 100% on all of those!
I’m guilty on every count…and proud of it!
yep, yep, yep….good info. 🙂
Yes……all of the above!!!
The Florida Furkids
That sounds like us too! We are Fam-a-lee, all my silly sisters and me!
That is a pretty interesting survey! Cats really do get the royal treatment. 🙂 My cats get to sleep in bed with me and they get presents.
We pretty much own the joint.
guys….we a greed with everee thing on heer but de cookin quest shunz….de food gurl heer in TT canna even boil waterz rite….we wood be hard pressed ta eat sum thin her cooked……. 😉
heerz two an Australian ghostshark kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
I am proud to say I do all of the above 🙂
🙂 I love Harris.. been a member for years.
We sleep wherever we want, but it’s usually on the bed.
Well, there’s no dressing up the kitties or cooking (I have in the past but I don’t even like cooking for myself), but yes to the sleeping and gifts. They are definitely our family!
Wait–some humans cook for their kidlets?? I need to find out how to get one of those!
You betcha I am part of the family.
Yes to the first two; sometimes to the next one and never to the last 2 although TW would love to dress me up.
Yes to all except the last one. She needn’t even think about that!!!
Does the Star Wars photo shoot count? Because then we could say we did all of them. Otherwise, the dressing part? Um, no….
I sleep in the bed every night!
We count ourselves members of the first three groups but not the last two. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo