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Empathy is not a solely human phenomenon. Evidence of it is seen in animals as well. It's true that it lacks the cultural implications that empathy has for humans, but it exists, even if in a more primitive form. There are accounts of a humpback whale sweeping a seal onto its back when the seal was attacked by killer whales. A study has shown that mice who have witnessed other mice in pain are more sensitive to pain themselves. Neural processes are believed to be responsible for empathy, and those processes are present in many animals too, even if it is not as evolved as it is in humans.
I honestly don't think that a strong sense of empathy would serve much purpose for a lone hunter like a cat, but I definitely can't assume that they don't experience it in any way! What I do know is that my cats experience feelings, strong feelings, even if those feelings and motivations can be something of a mystery to a human like myself.
But that's not what the original post is about. Have I ever disliked a cat? Not one that I've been able to spend a lot of time with, but I haven't been keeping cats for very long. But sometimes I dislike how they're acting even if I love them! I think a lot of cat parents experience that (particularly if they harm another beloved pet), and frustration on that front does deserve sympathy... and maybe even empathy!
I honestly don't think that a strong sense of empathy would serve much purpose for a lone hunter like a cat, but I definitely can't assume that they don't experience it in any way! What I do know is that my cats experience feelings, strong feelings, even if those feelings and motivations can be something of a mystery to a human like myself.
But that's not what the original post is about. Have I ever disliked a cat? Not one that I've been able to spend a lot of time with, but I haven't been keeping cats for very long. But sometimes I dislike how they're acting even if I love them! I think a lot of cat parents experience that (particularly if they harm another beloved pet), and frustration on that front does deserve sympathy... and maybe even empathy!