Comment by drakonka
7 hours ago
I'm still reading, but as I go through the sight vs sound section I am reminded of how weird my cats seem to be (especially the male). He seems to have none of these risk assessment/survival instincts at all unless we are at the vet's office. At home, whether inside or on the balcony, he simply behaves like there is no danger from anything, ever. If he hears a new sound he will likely go toward it rather than away, and if a new person comes he's the first to the door to sniff them out. I don't think I've ever seen him hide in my life.
Then again, every cat owner thinks their cat is the special one.
Having lived with a cat that had been in the streets for months before being adopted, and a different cat that had always lived indoors, I think that's the main difference in behavior regarding safety.
The one that had had experiences outdoors was more obsessed with food (to the point of eating everything fast until vomiting sometimes), scared of noises and sudden movements (going to hide in safe places), even from the people that had been living with her and caring for her for years. She was sweet and loving, but the streets never left her.
The one that had always been indoor was friendly to everybody, never super scared of noises, super curious, could regulate food properly (eating piecemeal throughout the day), etc.
There's always differences between cats' personalities, and this is a small sample, but it seemed significant and made sense given their experiences and possible past trauma.
Many housecats are like that, simply absolutely confident that their own territory is totally safe because that’s all they have ever experienced.
It makes me so happy every time I think about that - how my cats have never had to know anything other than utter love and safety.
In actuality he's been through some really rough times at vet hospitals as a kitten (and that's why he reacts differently with vets), so it is an extra relief that he came out of that so well-adjusted at home.