Should I let Kitty share her food?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (206745)
Walnut Creek, California
November 18, 2020 1:24pm CST
I had an interesting cat interaction yesterday morning. I gave kitty some wet food for breakfast, and she was pretty excited about that. But when I went out to check on her, she was sharing her breakfast with her boyfriend. She was watching while he ate, and hesitant to chase him off.
I gave him a non-angry look and hissed him off. He usually runs away when I come out (even when I don't have my shotgun with me), but he only went about seven feet away and awaited his turn. I made neutral eye-contact with him and gestured with my head for him to sit down. Amazingly, he did so.
I let him have a few more bites, but made sure Kitty got "first dibs." I am a horse person, not a cat person. Are cats smart enough to understand nuanced messags like, "I am not your enemy. You may share with Kitty, but at MY house, she comes first"?
29 people like this
27 responses
And you are becoming a cat person.
@TheHorse (206745)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Nov 20
@MALUSE But I don't want her boyfriend to become "mine." "Two cats and the army's too many for me." I'll link the song you made me think of. I find it lovely. The real line is "two wives and the army's too many for me." James Taylor and, I believe, Linda Ronstadt.
Provided to YouTube by Rhino One Morning in May · James Taylor One Man Dog ? 1972 Warner Records Inc. Masterer: Bernie Grundman Piano: Craig Doerge Acoustic ...
1 person likes this
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
18 Nov 20
Never underestimate the power of a cat. I am an animal person. I love animals in general. Right now, it's all about cats for us. We have numerous cats and they never cease to amaze me as to how smart they really are.
2 people like this
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
18 Nov 20
@TheHorse That's really nice; never too late to start. 
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206745)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Nov 20
@betlynfrnds I hope it doesn't interfere with my continued learning of Hebrew and Spanish.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40914)
• Wapello, Iowa
18 Nov 20
I think cats are that smart. I know they're a lot smarter than they're generally given credit for.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206745)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Nov 20
@xander6464 I suspect corruption.
1 person likes this
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
18 Nov 20
@HazySue I have seen this sort of thing happen many times. Usually I smile to myself until the unsuspecting human gets hooked on cats.
Then I give him/her the "ahaaaa, you see?...." I never try to rub it in though; we need as many cat people as we can get! 
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170663)
• United States
19 Nov 20
Well if kitty wants to share with her "boyfriend" I think you need to respect that..lol. I hope kitty is neutered.
1 person likes this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
19 Nov 20
I think this depends on how much wet cat food you want to buy.
I'm most definitly a horse-person too. When people ask "cat or dog-person" I just look pitifully at them. Not that I wouldn't have had both a cat and a dog if I had lived differently/had more time, but if I had to chose, neither would make it.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Nov 20
Lol, I've no idea as I'm not a cat person either. Maybe it picked up on your vibes. So the boyfriend doesn't live there to then?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206745)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Nov 20
@MarshaMusselman She's asleep by the stereo right now and I have not seen him today.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 20
I'm sure she'd chase him off if she didn't want to share.
We give our cats wet food in the morning but leave a bowl of dry food out all of the time. They seem quite happy to share this and we often see one of them sitting patiently waiting for the other one to finish.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 20
@TheHorse Difficult to tell. Our older cat will occasionally batter the hell out of the younger one but does seem to give way when it comes to food. We can only assume he's not too bothered about the food as he's more than capable of fighting the other one off.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129577)
• Israel
19 Nov 20
@TheHorse
I would say with an animal and not just a cat that you have to show them that they have nothing to fear from you. You have to be kind to them and treat them with respect. I guess that is how I would answer that. Animals whether cats or dogs are smart in their own way. My Sophie listens to me when she wants and is attentive and if she does not want to listen she will turn away. She does not know tricks but she is very smart in her own way.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157395)
• United States
19 Nov 20
Love makes you blind to your hunger I guess. :-) I think you are becoming a cat person.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206745)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Nov 20
@LindaOHio Sigh. she can be a cat trollop as long as he treats her right.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157395)
• United States
19 Nov 20
@TheHorse Yes, now that you're a cat daddy you must look after the chastity of your cat "daughter". :-)
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@GardenGerty (157678)
• United States
19 Nov 20
Just as with people, some cats are more intelligent than others. You seem to be an animal and kid person.
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@wolfgirl569 (95854)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Nov 20
In cats just like their bigger relatives the female will often let the male eat first. They do understand many things but most times ignore us petty hoomins. Maybe being a horse will help you.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73774)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Nov 20
What can you do if Kitty likes having her boyfriend around you have to get used to her sharing the food, And I agree as long as you show that Kitty is first in your household,
1 person likes this
