Oh, and one other thing. People need to realize that a lot of cats don't act "naturally." Kittens that have been taken away from their mothers too young generally ain't "right" and 8 weeks is cutting it close. Problems set in when these very young, impressionable animals go into households that don't know how to treat them. Cats who have been neutered far too young or declawed also run the risk of neuroses. You cannot judge the whole cat population by these animals, either. Declawing a cat is the equivalent of amputating human fingers. You deprive them of their primary weapon and also a way they perceive and manipulate their world.
But since most people don't know how a cat "should" act, they judge the entire cat population on animals that have mental or behavioral aberrations. That's just not fair. It's a shame that there isn't a "Cat Whisperer," maybe people would wise up a bit. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for good t.v. A cat that has been traumatized is pretty much angry or fearful for life and rehabbing them takes months or years, not hours or days.
But since most people don't know how a cat "should" act, they judge the entire cat population on animals that have mental or behavioral aberrations. That's just not fair. It's a shame that there isn't a "Cat Whisperer," maybe people would wise up a bit. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for good t.v. A cat that has been traumatized is pretty much angry or fearful for life and rehabbing them takes months or years, not hours or days.