WHYYYYYYYY are we not allowed to dislike cats on Yahoo! Answers?

Question

Why, cat owners, why? WHY? Every negative answer to a cat question gets many thumbs-down, even when they're perfectly correct and accurate answers. Fair enough, answers condoning cruelty or violence deserve thumbing down and reporting, but when someone says they don't like cats and gives genuine reasons it gets thumbs-down galore! Why?
I like dogs but I don't thumb-down answers in the dog section from people who simply say they don't like them.

I answer questions on the cat section if I can. I've had cats before so I'm not totally ignorant about them. But everytime someone answers that they don't like cats (not always me, might I add!) they get so many thumbs down for it. Maybe they shouldn't just answer that they don't like them, but they are still entitled to that opinion, yes?
I'm sorry for ranting, but really it does wind me up. It's as if cat owners think their pets are super-duper animals that do no wrong and don't want to read a word against them because they just won't believe it.
I'm sorry. I'm ranting.

g g, do you see what I mean? If you've said that people are wrong if they don't like cats, can you understand why that attitude is inflammatory?

P.S. By the way, totally different subject, but I apologise if I offended anyone with my answer to the question about best or worst Yahoo! contributors. I've removed that answer, but I'm proud of the 14 thumbs-down and 3 up!

Re: jeff hall. Thank you for that bloody good laugh, I needed that!

Answer 1

I received a violation today for giving my honest opinion on why I detest cats and have just sent in a very strong reply asking yahoo q&a what is the point of answering questions if people are going to report you because they dont like your opinion or answer and cat lovers seem to be the worse

Answer 2

I agree with you and I am a cat lover! Have two myself.

One thing I don't agree with is "when someone says they don't like cats and gives a genuine reason". I haven't ever seen someone on here give genuine reason why they hate or dislike cats. Most people say, "I just don't like them" which isn't a reason or they use allergies. I understand that the allergies are annoying and make people feel like crap but I don't see that as a reason to hate an animal. It isn't the cats fault a person is it allergic to it.

Anyway, I agree people don't deserve a "thumbs down" just for not liking an animal. However, the people who answer a question (about a dog or a cat) and just say, "I don't like cats" and only that line, DO deserve a thumbs down because it is a pointless statement and not an answer. I have seen that many times (a few to my own questions) and I see no point to it.

I am sure you will get some interesting answers.
-Brit

Answer 3

Why would you want to go into a category and answer questions on a subject of something you dislike.

I personally think your a wind up.

Why don't you answer questions about something you do like and have experience and knowledge about.

A lot of people who pose questions in this category have genuine concerns about their pets health,behaviour,welfare etc and are looking for answers from people who can empathise with them and share similar experiences and give helpful suggestions.

Do you not understand how hurtful answers can be to someone who may be losing their pet.

I don't think it's just cat owners that would give you thumbs down ratings.

I would say you need to be a little more mindful when answering questions if you don't like thumbs down. Read the answer back before you submit it and try to be more understanding and tact-full. How will it affect the person asking the question?.

I am a multi-cat owner with veterinary experience and I get the odd thumbs down, now and again.

Answer 4

People get the thumbs down because they're not helping the question, they're just insisting on giving an answer that is designed to get a gut reaction out of cat lovers.

WHY would a cat hater even bother posting to the questions on the cat board? They don't contribute to the question at hand, and only irritate people. It's usually done as a way to make people pay attention to them.

If they gave a legitimate answer to help solve the problem posted, then they can contribute, but as it stands most of the idiots I see posting their one liners about killing, maiming, destroying or otherwise harming cats do deserve the thumbs down. You see people like this on ALL the animal boards--they don't help anything.

Answer 5

If an answer provides accurate, factual information it should not receive a thumbs down. However once the answerer crosses over into the realm of personal opinion they are opening themselves up to the dreaded "thumbs down" as other people express THEIR personal opinion of the answer. Are you allowed to dislike cats? Sure. And as long as you do not commit or condone acts of cruelty against cats I have nothing against you. But just the same, is there really anything to be gained from telling a bunch of cat lovers that you don't like cats?

Answer 6

Its just a way for people to show that they are not happy with the fact that you dont like cats.
Its not that the answer is wrong...
Its just a way for some people to let you know that maybe they dont like your attitude.
Maybe they disagree with your attitude and you aggravate them, so they want to aggravate YOU the only way they can.....
on yahoo answers its the only way to slap someone. lol
ok....before I am attacked, I was kidding about the slapping part.

ADDED: Rant on...lol! I really DO understand your point though. Like I said, I think its just a way to retaliate.
If you make it obvious that you dont like cats in your answer then cat lovers are going to give you a thumbs down because your attitude is going to give THEM an attitude :)

Answer 7

I've had dogs, I've had cats, I've had all sorts of pets.

I dislike dogs crapping on the pavement and their owners not taking responsibility for their pets bowel movements.

I dislike stray cats digging up plants in my garden.

When my dog died I bought a cat to be a housecat, it doesn't go outside and bothers nobody. Is content with it's life and a joy to be around, is good natured and more like a dog than any dog I've owned.

My cat doesn't disturb anyone, unlike the endless barking of the dog next door when it's owner is out. The endless dog poo that trails along the street after it's been walked.

Yet, I don't go onto the 'DOG' yahoo answers and complain that I don't like dogs, and don't like the way dog owners defend their pets. I suggest you buy yourself a dog if you have no children or partner to complain to. My children enjoy whatever pets we have.

Answer 8

I don't know why anyone would give a thumbs down on a correct and decent answer in the CATS category, even if they don't care for cats. Many people that don't like cats don't like them because they are allergic to them, and have never spent much time around them to see how much fun they really are--especially kittens---this is REAL entertainment!

Up until about 15 to 20 years ago, I had never been around many cats, as I knew I was allergic to them. However, I found out--by my sister dumping a kitten on me--that I had no reaction to him. I had him for over 8 years. He was beautiful--pitch black, long shiny hair and gorgeous green eyes. After him, I rescued this tiny kitten in a (almost) hurricane. She was a tiny (about 2 months old) short-haired tortoise shell--again, no allergic reaction to her. I won't go into the rest, except the guy I have now. He is a Turkish Angora--pure white, super long hair, one blue and one green eye. However, when I adopted him at our local animal shelter, I actually brought 2 home. The other was a HUGE (very lovable) gray/black tiger striped tabby. Oh boy, did I ever have a reaction to him--I couldn't breathe in my own house, and after 3 days, I HAD to take that one back to the shelter, but I really hated having to do it. But, I found out a very valuable lesson--I am only allergic to gray/black tiger striped tabbies and Siamese, but NOT Himilayians--wierd, huh? I've also had an orange/white stripped tabby, and had no allergic reaction to him.

So, my idea is that people who don't like cats should really stay out of the CAT section rather than making nasty remarks or giving a thumbs down rating on any answer. They most probably haven't been around many cats to know how they are (completely different than dogs), and how much fun they can be. I, also was strickly a dog person since birth--my son was too, and ironically he is allergic to the very same cats as I am. But now he has "Daisy" a tortie/calico mix, and this is truly HIS baby. He also has 2 dogs, and has already stated that if anything happens to the dogs, there will be no more dogs, but there WILL be more cats.

I only give a thumbs down rating to people who are giving out BAD advice that could actually be harmful to a cat. So, the only advice I can give you is: Go to the DOG section, and answer as many questions as you can in that category.

Answer 9

I love cats and I have 3. However, I think with cats, you either love them or hate them. Doesn't seem to be to much in between. If you want to dislike cats It's OK with me. I would never thumbs down anyone who disliked cats, everyone is different and that's just as it should be.

Answer 10

I'm a cat person. Personally I would just rather have a cat than a dog. But that's my own preference for myself. So I agree with you. As long as the reply to a question simply states your preference and why, and doesn't say negative things about another's preference or condone violence, then I don't see cause to rag on that person for giving their opinion.