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Comment by rvieira | Hacker News Reader

I never had a dog but I have cats.

As such, sometimes I look at my (very affectionate) cats and wonder why do they chose to live with me? Sure there is free food and heating in the winter, but do they _know_ that and why don't they just run away and take their chances?

In any case, I don't feel bad about "having" cats, since to me it seems like it is a win-win situation for them. They get food, medical treatment, shelter and when they need to stretch their legs they can always wander off. They do seem quite happy in sleeping the whole afternoon in the same room as me, as I'm working, anyway.

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For your cats this may be the case but don't forget, people also have outdoor cats and they cats will choose to come home and hang out and spend time with you.

Cats seem to be more ok with just hanging out in the house. The house is also larger for them than it would be for most dogs. I like dogs, but wouldn't consider owning one again unless I had quite a bit of land and actual things to do outside.

Cats are very territorial - they have probably chosen to live in your house, not with you; you're just an added bonus.

Having said that my cat is very affectionate and loves to ask me to come outside and watch him playing. I'm sure he sees it as a parent/child relationship though (come on dad, watch me chase this leaf/kill this mouse)

> Sure there is free food and heating in the winter, but do they _know_ that

your cat does not wake you up in the morning and meow until she gets her morning food ? mine even gives me little taps on the face until I'm up sometimes.

> As such, sometimes I look at my (very affectionate) cats and wonder why do they chose to live with me? Sure there is free food and heating in the winter, but do they _know_ that and why don't they just run away and take their chances?

Probably similar to what our landlords and employers think. /s

Both dogs and cats will stay with you even if you're not there. I guess they consider it family or something.

Me and many others have left our cats (and sometimes, dogs) alone at home to go work abroad, and they're still there when you go back, surviving by hunting/scavenging. They always recognize and happily run to you.

Thankfully there are shelters/carers now, but over a decade ago it was the wild east.

On the other hand, cats won't stick around if they don't like you, I've had cats from neighbours (burnt out alcoholics) run away and hide at my place any chance they got. They'd literally run away when the owners tried to catch them. Fucking sad.

Dogs will stick with you. Which is probably even sadder.

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