If you’re like most pet parents, your cat has probably become a member of your family. And, hopefully, the same goes for your kiddos.
That’s why it’s not so hard to believe that there are many, many similarities between your cat and your human baby or toddler. Sure, they’re both small, cute (hopefully), cuddly, and vital members of the family tree—but those aren’t the similarities we’re talking about here.
Read on to learn why cats and babies are basically the same things—just with varying amounts of fur and whiskers.
- 01 of 07
Whenever You Do Anything to Ensure Their Health and Happiness
When it comes down to it, there isn’t much cats and babies can do on their own. Considering their lack of thumbs (cats) and dexterity (babies), general lack of street smarts, and their inability to make a living, they’ve become pretty reliant on the rest of us.
It’s a good thing most cat parents (or human parents, for that matter) don’t expect any favors in return. After years of feeding, cleaning, poop-picking-up, and providing shelter, clothing, education, and general love and affection, the score is probably pretty unbalanced.
Continue to 2 of 7 below - 02 of 07
Every Time Your Cat Poops
There are a number of similarities between cats and babies, but the trait they have most in common? The fact that they can poop at any time, in any location, and someone else will have to clean it up. Sounds like the life, huh? In fact, your cat is probably somewhere in your house, pooping in one of your strategically placed litter boxes right at this moment.
If you have kids, take a moment and try to estimate the number of diapers you’ve changed in your lifetime; if you have a cat, take a moment to reflect on all the time you’ve spent elbow-deep in kitty litter. They’re not dissimilar jobs, after all.
Continue to 3 of 7 below - 03 of 07
When Your Cat Cries (And Actually Sounds Like a Human)
Studies have shown that cat owners can determine their kitties’ needs by the sound and pitch of their meows. In other words, a cat owner can tell the difference between a meow that means “I’m hungry” and a meow that means “Clean up my poop, human.”
One particular type of meow—one that means your cat needs something and it’s your job to figure it out—sounds just like a human baby crying. Yep, according to science, some cats can meow at the same frequency as an infant’s cry.
This may prove one of two things:
- Cats have manipulated humans’ love of babies to their favor; or
- Cats and babies are actually the same.
Continue to 4 of 7 below - 04 of 07
When Your Cat Has Random Outbursts
How many times per week does your cat boop you on the face? Or bounce off the walls for a few moments before settling back into a cozy spot on the couch? It’s not uncommon for cats to get these random bursts of energy or aggression—and it’s actually good for them to get rid of that excess energy. The same can be said of toddlers.
Continue to 5 of 7 below - 05 of 07
When Your Cat Wears a Cute Little Holiday Outfit
Throughout their lives, most kids have special occasion outfits. You know—the pastel floral dress for Easter, the red, white, and blue ensemble for the Fourth of July, and an itchy turtleneck for Thanksgiving.
And if you’re an extra cat parent, your kitty probably has those special occasion outfits, too. The bunny ears she won’t keep on for more than 15 seconds for Easter, the red, white, and blue kitty-sized tutu for the Fourth, and a tiny pilgrim outfit for Thanksgiving. And let's not forget Halloween.
Continue to 6 of 7 below - 06 of 07
When Your Cat Clings Onto You
Man, cats and babies are clingy, right? Being little clinger-ons is one trait cats and babies share—but the meanings are totally different. Obviously, babies cling onto their parents because they love them, feel protected by them, and need someone to feed them lunch.
Cats like to rub against us and cling on because they love us, too, right? Wrong.
When a kitty rubs against your leg, they're not giving you a sweet, little leg hug—they’re marking you as their property. When they press against you (and maybe even curl their tail around your leg), the scent glands go into overdrive. These scent glands release their “mark” that lets any other animals in the area know you are their property—and they better back off.
There they go again, manipulating our emotions.
Continue to 7 of 7 below - 07 of 07
Every Year in Your Holiday Card
Holiday cards are meant to provide family updates to friends and family you don’t see regularly. And if you have cute kids, they can help you brag it up a little bit, too.
The same goes for kitties. How else will your friends and family know she learned how to walk on a leash outdoors or finally stopped puking on your bed pillows?