I Used To Hate Cats - Here’s Why!

I used to hate cats — and for a long time, I didn’t even understand why. I thought they were disgusting, smelly, and destructive. What I didn’t realize back then was that it wasn’t the cats I hated… it was the environment they were forced to live in.

When I was growing up, my mother always had cats. But she never had them fixed, so they would spray all over the house and constantly have kittens. We could barely afford food for ourselves, so feeding the animals was often an afterthought. The cats ate whatever we could scrounge up, scraps, food bank donations, or actual cat food only when welfare day rolled around.

Litter was a luxury, and our home became a mess. The smell was overwhelming, and the floors were covered with filth. Add in the hoarding and clutter, and it was a recipe for disaster. It wasn’t the cats’ fault — they were innocent creatures trapped in the same conditions I was. But as a kid, I blamed them.

The Day Everything Changed

I still remember the day my mom told me we had to move. She sent me to the SPCA with a few of our cats and told me to lie, to say that someone had dumped them. I was only 13, scared, and didn’t know what to do. When the staff told me they’d go looking for whoever abandoned the cats, I panicked and told the truth.

The cats left behind were in terrible shape, matted fur, fleas, sickness, and I’ll never forget that heartbreak. I felt powerless, ashamed, and angry at a situation I had no control over. That day stuck with me for years.

Realizing It Wasn’t the Cats’ Fault

As I got older and began building a life of my own, something changed. I started to see that cats weren’t the problem — people were. Neglect and poverty had created those conditions, not the animals.

When I finally adopted my own cats as an adult, I learned what a huge difference proper care makes. With good food, regular vet visits, a clean litter box, and love — cats are absolutely amazing. They’re funny, affectionate, independent, and deeply loyal.

Now, my cats are my family. They bring me comfort, laughter, and companionship every single day. I can’t imagine my life without them.

The Lesson I’ll Never Forget

My hatred turned into compassion once I realized how much power we have as pet owners to change an animal’s life.

If you take anything away from my story, let it be this:

• 🐱 Don’t get a pet if you can’t afford to care for it.
• 🐾 Don’t blame the animal for the mess that neglect creates.
• ❤️ They didn’t choose you — you chose them.

Love them, feed them, and give them a safe, clean space to live. They’ll reward you with unconditional love and companionship that’s truly priceless.

Articles about cats you might enjoy:

Care For Your Pets Teeth Without Brushing Them

How We Helped Our Cat Start To Lose Weight

Toddlers & Cats - How to Help Them Get Along