Were you afraid of cats when you were a child? Are you still afraid?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
June 26, 2008 10:16pm CST
When I was about 11 years old, I was at a friends home
and her cat scratched me horribly
on the hand.
I was not trying to pet the cat.
In fact, I was trying to avoid the cat.
I had scrunched myself against the wall on the
far side of the place where he was sitting and tried
to sneak by.
Somehow he reached out the two foot distance from his perch
and snagged my hand.
I was horrified of cats after that for a very long time.
Then about ten years ago, we found a little kitten and rescued
him.
At first I was afraid of him, but learned that he meant no harm
to me.
I have since adopted three cats.
Now, I'm a confirmed cat person!
How about you?
Did you hate cats when you were a child and then later come
to understand the special nature of cats?
Do you still hate cats?
6 people like this
35 responses
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
27 Jun 08
yup. they do that. it's natural especially when they are hurt. their defense mechanism as they say.
anne
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
27 Jun 08
i never hate cats even if i had so many experiences of them scratching me.
i love cats. they are so cute and cuddly. just sometimes when we're playing, i overdo it and hurt them unintentionally. so, as their defense mechanism, they scratch me and makes me realize it's too much for them already.
anne
@ammyers05 (71)
• United States
27 Jun 08
When I was 13 I was walking down the street and was attacked by a cat. Yes, attacked by a neighborhood cat. I was not trying to pet it or anything because I'm extremely allergic to them, in fact, I was trying to ignore it. It kept rubbing on my legs and I kept walking. Anyway, It dug it's claws into my legs and left some nasty holes and because I am allergic to cats I had an even nastier reaction. Anyway, that was my situation. To answer your question, I'm not afraid of cats but I still do avoid them. I don't hate cats either, I just wouldn't own one.
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
27 Jun 08
Oh I love cats. They are the best pets you can have. They are so disciplined, of course you have to teach them though. I love cats for the fact that they, like dogs return your affection. They return your feelings in the kind and always make you feel better. I had a cat once, but since my people at home, do not like cats or any kinds of pet, i had to let it go. Just waiting to get out of my place. Then I'll have 2 or 3 for sure.
bourne
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I love cats too.
Right now, my Eb, female cat
is sitting on my lap.
Funny thing, she is so sneaky
that I did not even feel her climb
onto my lap until this moment.
She had already gone to sleep.
I was concentrating on other things!
She had already gone to sleep.
I was concentrating on other things!
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
27 Jun 08
That's the reason I love cats. They can give you sudden surprises and make you feel better. The cat that I had, use to sneak up on me during my sleep and lie next to me. They are very good creatures.
bourne
@ramyashreesk (1021)
• India
27 Jun 08
Hello beautyqueen! I was not used to cats before wedding. But in my husbands house, my mother-in-law loves cats. It seems she is loves to keep cat as pet since her childhood.
Initially i was scared, but now i just love her. yes, its a her and her name is pinky. She reproduces twice in a year buti feel sad for her
Because she is so weak, giving birth frequently.
Happy Mylotting!
buti feel sad for herBecause she is so weak, giving birth frequently.
Happy Mylotting!
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I have always loved cats and was always asking my parents if we could get one . My dad was never a cat person and my mom liked them , but never owned one .
When I was a teen they finally let me get one and she was a tabby they got from a shelter and we named her Bell . I always wanted a black cat and finally got one a few years later . My parents both fell hard for cats and became fans right off the bat .
Years past and both of the childhood cats did before their time My parents now actually have 3 cats , and a set of puppies
Me I finally have my family of black cats , I have 3 of them . I just always loved cats and find them to be super cool .
My parents now actually have 3 cats , and a set of puppies
Me I finally have my family of black cats , I have 3 of them . I just always loved cats and find them to be super cool . 
@SViswan (12051)
• India
27 Jun 08
I do't 'hate' cats...but I'm not an animal person and don't like getting too close to any animal. I'm very scared of stray dogs...and my older one is very scared of stray dogs after 2 scary incidents.
My in-laws love cats and they have around 5 of them at home. I like watching them but can't stand them getting close and rubbing themselves on my leg or even brushing against my legs when they run past.
My younger one loves animals and likes cats.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
27 Jun 08
I have never ever been afraid of cats. I've always loved them. I've never been afraid of dogs either, but I always prefers cats, as dogs were way too physically actie or me to really enjoy. I love cats, and so does my husband.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
27 Jun 08
No, I was not afraid of cats when I was little, nor am I afraid of them now. Cats have always been my favorite animal so I have no problem with them. Now when it comes to birds, at least the bigger types like parrots, they have always scared me. It doesn't help matters that a parrot jumped on my back and started to climb up my shoulder while I was at a pet store when I was a little girl. Darn thing freaked me out. I look back at it now and I wouldn't doubt that the bird was being friendly, but the beaks on those birds terrify me! I never owned this type of bird, so I don't know if I'll ever truly get over my fear. Though I do think they are quite beautiful.
Cats have always been my favorite animal so I have no problem with them. Now when it comes to birds, at least the bigger types like parrots, they have always scared me. It doesn't help matters that a parrot jumped on my back and started to climb up my shoulder while I was at a pet store when I was a little girl. Darn thing freaked me out. I look back at it now and I wouldn't doubt that the bird was being friendly, but the beaks on those birds terrify me! I never owned this type of bird, so I don't know if I'll ever truly get over my fear. Though I do think they are quite beautiful. @beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Those early childhood experiences really do
shape later opinions. It took me many years
to get over my fear of cats.
Now, I can't imagine living without them!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I was never afraid of cats as a child. But I didn't have one myself and didn't know many people who did. I went through a timeframe when I was afraid of dogs. My mom tells me I was trampled by one as a toddler and just never really got over it. But like you, I came around on them finally and I am now a die-hard, can't-get-enough-of-them dog lover. I have two now and they are such loves.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Oh! That is wonderful. I love dogs too.
We moved around several times so we could never
have one. I am thinking of getting a small dog.
But don't know if she or he will get along
with my cats. So for now I am just a cat person.
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
29 Aug 08
When I was a child I was frightened by cats since we had one that was nuts and attacked everyone every change it got. When we got rid of the cat, I don't remember what happened to it, we got another one and it was so different than the first one, that I remember, and it never attacked me so I got to the point that I would go up to it and play with it, in time. I grew out of my fright of them and realized that they are friendly and only want to be loved. So now as an adult I am not afraid of them anymore, but sometimes I am still careful. One of my clients has a mean cat and every time I walk by it, it hisses at me and looks like it wants to do nothing more than claw my eyes out. So I just stay as far away from it as I can.
@DaddyOfTheRose (2934)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Not afraid of cats. Never been. Fear of cats reminds me of a scene from the Mummy.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I love that movie! Can't wait to see the third one
when it comes out this year.
@nikegirl1440 (3)
•
28 Jun 08
yea when i was little i use to run from the cat but i am not scared no more
@Vicky_lee (18)
•
28 Jun 08
I am not afraid of cats, also don't like. One of my best friend is afraid of dogs due to there have been one dog, a not friend dog, catch with her when she in childhood.... Oh, she doesn't like dogs after that, until now...
@Madona1 (2096)
• Gibraltar
27 Jun 08
As far as I remember I am never afraid of the cats. But honestly I am not really an animal lover. I find it they will dirty my clothes and objects as they are always bare-feet and scratches the furniture with their paws. And some of them are naughty, they even will puff everywhere they want. So I never allow any pets in the house.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I can completely understand of your fear of cats when you were so young and impressionable. Glad to know that you've come around!! They are wonderful little creatures and so full of themselves. I was never afraid of them because I've been around them all of my life. Heck, when I was 5, my parents had 38 cat! No lie, either!! And we've had cats all through the years because we could never do without them. I have 9 cats now and they have 5. lol
@ellie333 (21016)
•
27 Jun 08
I wasn't a cat lover as a child and still bear a scar on my leg where a grey one attacked me walking home from school. It was always attacking people so I knew to avoid but was not aware of it on this occasion and it got me. I got a rescue cat when I was 23 and have always had cats ever since. I have two beuaties at the moment Wilfred and Sybil who are part of the family. So I like you have changed my view since I got older. Ellie :D
@padmameera (952)
• India
27 Jun 08
I actually like cats. Whe I was a child I used to have a number of cats in my home as my pets. I used to play with them, feed them etc etc. Still I like cats.
@aschbrenner4 (25)
• United States
27 Jun 08
On a cold night when i was twelve me and my friend were at his house watching nigtmare on elm street 1 and i was nervous because i never seen it before. Freddy was about to murderlize this girl and when Freddy rasied his claw in the air, my friends cat pounced on my hand and bit me. I started screaming like a little girl, and all my friend could do was laugh. I have never been afraid of cats except the cat that my friend owned when i was twelve.
