- NEW!
by Jodie44 on December 22nd, 2005
To Malachai - you make a valid point. The question, as written, does come across as strange. It sounded strange to me the first time I read it, and I'm the one who asked it, lol. This should clear things up.
Consider that most people love dogs. Uncomplicated, happy, exuberant creatures who "grin" from ear to ear when you walk through the door, ecstatically bouncing around, thrilled that you're home. But cats? My cat follows me around like a puppy and meows until I stop and talk to him. But most cats act nothing like dogs. Sometimes they're distant, or apathetic. Unlike dogs, they never radiate sheer bubbly enthusiasm. "It's too undignified," as every feline knows.
Most dogs can smile. Surely we've all seen it, at some point. The first dog that ever bit me gave me a huge grin, like we were best pals, just before growling and sinking his choppers into my leg. Considering that "Judge" belonged to the Republican mayor of Memphis, his behavior makes perfect sense now. Why just look at the Bu -- uh, never mind. Anyway, later, I had a Golden Retriever who smiled constantly for nine years. People loved her, and she loved them back.
Now the world's most engaging cat lives with me. His name's Plato and he's a tabby with black, gray and brown markings, black paws, a black tail and an unending story to tell. He compensates for the small vocabulary by employing a wide range of cat sounds, tones, and pitches. Plato goes to work with me and acts as the official greeting committee. He's the last thing people expect to see, but it's a happy surprise. They're all over him and he eats it up, in his own reserved manner.
Later, he'll let me know that he's going to move in with his latest fan if I don't share my dinner, the little hog. After all, he always tries to share his latest catch with me. As sweet and personable as Plato is, he's never elicited quite the response from people that Alyxx, my dog, did. Is it because he doesn't smile?
I've heard people claim to dislike cats simply because cats don't show emotion, not the way dogs do. So, I wondered... is that what makes dogs more popular? If cats acted more like dogs, would more people like cats?
How better to gather opinions than by posing a question on Answerbag? If people understood that cats can feel as much joy, but simply lack the ability to express themselves, maybe people would look more kindly upon cats, and adoptions would increase. You never know. With people, someone who's smiling makes a far better impression overall, than an unsmiling, unfriendly individual does. Would it apply to anmials as well?
If I could rephrase the question, here's how it would read:
If cats' natural expressions could be altered so that cats would appear to be smiling most of the time, like dogs, would that one change be enough to soften the hearts of cat-dislikers into cat likers or even lovers?
I must have been going for the quick and funky version, rather than the one that made more sense, LOL. I probably thought it was too long and would be edited down to the bare bones version, anyway. See what negative thinking does? I hope it makes more sense now.
Plato's picture is below. I fugured you'd want to see what a cutie he is. I think he was feeling shy when I snapped the photo.
by mister_c on February 20th, 2006
Actually cats can smile. Just not the same way we do.
If a cat likes you it will stare at you and narrow its eyes. If you do the same at the cat it will continue to narrow its eyes until such a time as it decides it wants affection/food or gets bored and goes out.
This is a cat smile and it's one of the nicest things to be on the receiving end of!*
*Sorry about the preposition at the end there, I don't know how else to format that sentence!
by lady fuschia on January 24th, 2006
I thought people liked cats anyway.
by davoomac on August 8th, 2006
IF cats could smile?
by Petit Gateau on June 16th, 2006
My cats smile all the time. More people would like cats if the cat-haters spent time with cats, especially cats who are in a home where they are loved. That makes all the difference in their personality. My cats fetch (yes they bring it back to me like a dog) purr, love to be held and are great companions to me. It saddens me that so many people are clueless about cats.
by notmrjohn on February 21st, 2006
I don't think so, that Chesire cat always gave me the creeps.
by Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here on January 30th, 2006
My cat smiles. He follows me, he sleeps in my bed. He doesn't really make a lot of noise, but in his defense he is completely deaf!
I hate dogs.... whats so great about loud, obnoxious stinky animals? I hate dogs!
Everyone should appreciate cats anyway regardless of a smile... which they do have!
by RedJohn on February 18th, 2006
Not me, unless someone is able to breed a hypo-allergenic cat that does its own shopping, uses the bathroom, picks up after itself, and does not sprawl on the floor at the top of a flight of stairs.
As far as smiling dogs is concerned, my parents had some friends with a beagle that would smile. People seemed to find it charming. The dog also suffered from epileptic seizures. People were much less charmed when they saw a smiling dog thrashing around on the floor. It made them just a little nervous.
by Dullah on August 23rd, 2006
Cats smile by curling up the corners of their mouths, just like we do, so if you look from the side, you can see them smile wide.
by w_wear on August 8th, 2006
yes
by Grammy Robin on October 23rd, 2007
Cats just smile in a different way.
Purring is one that comes to mind.
My two older females are not the friendliest but can be coaxed into being happy and showing affection.
But my Lil' Bit, the baby is one happy girl. She was a rescue, so I think she is just enamored of us for saving her, purring louder that you would think could come from her tiny body. She will walk up your chest or flop down from your shoulder, rubbing your face with hers.
My boys are both very cuddly and loud except when they are near one another.
I am amazed when I hear people do not like cats. I have never been around one I didn't like.
by tinybubbles is sitting on the carpet read on January 12th, 2007
my cat smiles at me all the time.
by Anonymous on January 12th, 2007
It might be a little unsettling to see a cat smile...
I like cats just as they are.
by janacide on January 12th, 2007
My Cat definitly smiles :)
by w_wear on August 8th, 2006
yes
by game masta on December 20th, 2005
Probably but you know this question is quite strange.
by Lippycow on October 23rd, 2007
How could anyone resist its winning smile
by MrWitch on October 23rd, 2007
I don't think so - I think whether they smile or not would make little difference. In my experience the reason many people dislike cats is that we humans often aren't the centre of their world - they are, and that's the way they like it.
A 'classic' dog will do anything for you, a 'classic' cat will do absolutely nothing unless it feels like it - maybe not even then. 'Catitude' sums it up nicely. Superb animals.
Personally I think this is a wonderful way to prick the baloon of self-importance we humans sometimes create around ourselves. However, some people find it an uncomfortable feeling to be 'ignored', and automatically dislike the creature which 'ignores' them. They look for a certain type of dependent behaviour in animals, and cats usually just aren't made that way.
Humans are stupid things a lot of the time.
by Anonomous on October 23rd, 2007
I don't know....it would probably creep me out........
by Ruby Doomsday on October 23rd, 2007
Cats have a certain cat-smile that they do, but I suppose you have to know and like a cat before you learn to identify this facial expression. Maybe if they had a big obnoxious grin like people do, people would understand them right off the bat and like them better... you could be on to something! :)
by Gonzo on January 12th, 2007
What makes you think they cant smile?
by -O-uknow on October 23rd, 2007
More people would like cats if they could act like dogs ;)
by BabyRottie on October 23rd, 2007
cats smile! my kitty greets me with a really cute kitty smile every morning!!!!!!!
by WELCOMETORAiiNBOW. on December 20th, 2009
Cats CAN smile.
by breakstress on February 1st, 2010
Like Cheshire Cat?
by Kattra on December 11th, 2009
Cats DO smile, but you have to love animals and be interested in their behaviour to notice and acknowledge it. :)
Truth is personal, not universal. Any quarrel with that? What and why?
by RosieGHM Jetpacker 12 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
When is a promise naïve? Why?
by AnonymousGirl 17 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
Are you your most important topic/subject/focus/concern? Do you act on behalf of others more or yourself? Why?
by RosieGHM Jetpacker 12 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
Ever had a kumbayah experience or do you generally make fun of folks who do? Why?
by RosieGHM Jetpacker 11 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
We're all excellent/mediocre/lousy at some things. They're different things. We're all average. How can one 'average' think its better?
by RosieGHM Jetpacker 11 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Would more people like cats if cats could smile?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Good point.
by game masta on December 29th, 2005
Good answer! Dogs can smile, so why can't cats? It's not fair <g>
by HungryGuy on January 14th, 2006
That wasn't a grin, it was a snarl.
by notmrjohn on February 21st, 2006
If you've ever seen a cat sleeping, curled up in your desk chair, with it's head upside down, you know that cats CAN in fact, smile!
by MyKinKStar on January 13th, 2007
He's a doll.
by unknown on May 21st, 2007