A female netizen shared a tragic story that was both heartbreaking and absurd: she found her two kittens starved to death in the closet, and was also puzzled: "The mother cat had never been outside, how could she have gotten pregnant?"
According to the cat's owner, they live on the third floor and the orange cat has never left the house. They also don't usually let it into the bedroom. Although the cat used to scratch at the door, they never imagined it would get pregnant.
While looking for clothes in her closet that day, she discovered two dead kittens, presumably starved to death, which deeply saddened her.
However, netizens criticized the cat owner for not caring enough about or paying enough attention to their cat. The signs of pregnancy in cats are quite noticeable, including enlarged breasts, weight gain, increased appetite, behavioral changes, and a growing abdomen, which the owner should have noticed.
Moreover, a female cat's gestation period is generally 63 to 68 days, or about two months, which is not a short time. It is somewhat incomprehensible that the owner failed to notice.
According to unofficial data from the American "Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook," besides old age and natural death, accidents caused by owner negligence are among the top ten leading causes of cat death!
Top 10 causes of cat death: 1. Kitten death; 2. Euthanasia; 3. Car accidents and other traumas; 4. Feline leukemia virus; 5. Kidney disease; 6. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP); 7. Feline viral HIV (FIV); 8. Feline cancer; 9. Feline panleukopenia; 10. Accidents caused by owner negligence.
Recently, Ms. Xu, a cat owner in Chongqing, noticed an interesting detail. Her cat is usually very affectionate, but one morning she slept in and didn't wake up. The cat, presumably hungry, pawed at her, but she still didn't wake up. Later, while checking the security camera footage, she discovered that the cat was staring intently at the camera, seemingly pleading for help. The cat's expression was both funny and heartbreaking, prompting many netizens to joke, "The cat was thinking, 'What's the difference between this and being a stray?'"
Cats are known for their independent and sometimes aloof nature, but that doesn't mean they don't need their owners' attention and care. Neglecting a cat can have negative consequences, ranging from behavioral problems to health issues.
Neglected cats may not receive the necessary care, causing undiagnosed health problems to worsen over time. Even if they are physically healthy, cats may become depressed or anxious without sufficient attention.
From a lighthearted perspective, enriching a cat's activities is also one of the owner's responsibilities; it's a way to prevent our feline friends from feeling neglected and bored. Cat toys, puzzles, and interactive games can help keep cats mentally stimulated and engaged, reducing the likelihood of related negative behaviors in felines.
A cat behavior consultant advises: "Creating a safe and enriching environment for your cat is crucial. Ignoring their emotional needs can negatively impact their mental health and well-being."
Simply put, don't assume that feeding your cat every day is enough. Remember, while cats may be independent, they still depend on human love and care.
