Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Thanks, eHow! Now You, Too, Can Treat Your Cat Like a Human in 4 Easy Steps

hank-cutest-cat-in-the-world.jpg
The Cutest Cat--err, little dude--in the World (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

You're part of one of the nearly 40% of U.S. households with a cat, and, let's face it, your cat is the cutest cat in the world. No, really. But is your cat just like a person--only smaller, furry, unable to speak your language, and lacks opposable thumbs? No? That's okay. The helpful website eHow can teach you "How to Anthropomorphize Your Cat" in just four easy steps.They aren't kidding when they say easy, by the way. If you are already one of Los Angeles' many cat lovers, you probably have this skill set down pat. Step one is to "talk about your cat when others talk about their kids." Step two is to bust out pictures, ideally in person. While eHow suggests keeping them in your wallet, I'd suggest storing several pictures--and videos--on your cellphone. My friends love it when I show them my cat photos.

Ready to move on? Step three is a lot of fun: "Talk to your cat as if you expect her to answer." And step four is what can also bring all-human families together: eat together!

Other suggestions for making your kitty "one of us" (maybe making these more advanced directives) might include getting your cat a Facebook page, Twitter account, or blog. It's a little harder to take cats out to show them off, but if you can find a way to make your purring buddy your +1, well, you're on your way. It's hard to train cats to do human-like things, but if you happen to discover your cat does something, like, say, steal things from his NorCal neighbors in the middle of the night, you might want to make the most of this unique behavior. And you can kick things off right by giving your cat a person's name instead of something cutesy or ironic.

If you don't have a cat yet, but feel like you're ready to take this on, we can help you add a feline friend to your home. Every Saturday we profile a local cat (and dog, but, like, whatever*) that's up for adoption in L.A. in our Pets of the Week series, and we've also profiled a few great pet rescue organizations.

*Kidding, kidding! We love dogs, too!

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today