r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/_va_xanth__ • 4d ago

Image Leaving your cat alone all day is now against the law in Sweden

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7.3k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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u/Resident-Log 4d ago

What do they mean by all day? Article says you should play with them at least twice a day but I know, personally, when I think of all day, I think of work hours which would not preclude me from playing with my cat twice a day.

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u/HatKarl_208 4d ago edited 4d ago

From another comment: they literally mean a full day. = Leaving a cat 24h alone is animal cruelty

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u/Able-Ordinary-7280 4d ago

A single 24 hours is not animal cruelty for a cat.

I personally don’t do that, if I’m going to be away I make sure someone will check in on my cats twice a day, although once would probably do if it wasn’t for the fact that one of the cats has a black hole where is stomach should be and would just eat all of the other cat’s food.

But other than that they would absolutely be perfectly fine for 24 hours.

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u/William_Dowling 4d ago

The vast majority of cats, provided they're fed, would far prefer for you to fuck off indefinitely

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u/NNKarma 4d ago

Besides cats being cats maybe it's assuming a lack of automatic feeders

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u/Brrdock 4d ago edited 4d ago

Leaving a cat alone for 24h is a party for most cats lmao.

Much of the point of a cat is that they aren't anywhere as dependent as dogs.

Seems very unnecessary

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u/Lynxieee 4d ago

It's for safety more so that socializing. If your cat hates visitors you're still expected to have someone check on them. Too many stories of cats accidentally locking themselves in somewhere and not being able to reach their food etc.. My cat once managed to climb a shelf and got his claw caught on a ceiling lamp that he was completely unable to unhook so he was just dangling there screaming for help. Whenever I travel I have cameras in place and visitors 1-2 times a day every day. Better safe than sorry.

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u/vanishinghitchhiker 4d ago

We catsat a cat once that figured out how to open my underwear/sock drawer for a soft napping spot, but I guess the drawer rollers are tilted or weighed such that she managed to shut herself in our dresser a few times.

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u/Aggleclack 4d ago

Honestly very olds school thinking. I get it because I grew up around cats that way, but as an adult, when I had a cat foster, the expectations felt a lot closer to a dog than a few decades ago. The kitty bonded more than I remember my childhood kitties bonding with me. Times change. We learn more about these fuzzy things and ourselves

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u/Pyrhan 4d ago

It really depends on the cat. 

Some cats are how you describe, they develop a strong bond and need for attention. Others become a lot more distant as soon as they reach adulthood, and will then merely tolerate being pet (for a short while).

They can have very different personnalities and needs, and it seems to me there's a major innate component to that (meaning it's not how you raise them, it's just who they are).

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u/RoboDae 4d ago

My personal cat never leaves my side when I'm at home and will follow me up and down the stairs, even sitting between the curtains when I shower. Most of our foster cats either don't care or actively avoid people.

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u/ParentalAnalysis 4d ago

Me: My cats aren't that bonded to humans

Also me: turns around to see both cats asleep on the couch in my office with me instead of in bed with my partner, or sleeping on their cat trees, or getting into cat ruckus.

Cats definitely bond hard when they know they're "home."

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u/Wappening 4d ago

M’y cat gets separation anxiety and becomes incredibly depressed if I am gone for a few days even if I leave someone house sitting to watch her

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u/Brrdock 4d ago edited 4d ago

This does entirely depend on the cat in question.

But we don't make a law like "leaving your 13 year old alone for 24h is child abuse" just because some of them can't manage it, either

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u/Mayhemgodess227 4d ago

This is why I have someone check on my kitties every couple days when I travel for work. Just to play with them and make sure they aren’t getting up to shenanigans outside the scope of healthy.

But they are more independent I can’t have a dog, and I do make sure to give my cats a ton of attention before and after my trips.

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u/Steel_Toffees 4d ago

The only thing that has changed is people's attitudes. Let's not act like cats have evolved to be more dependent on humans over a 30 yr timeframe. Fact is cats (by a large margin) are still fully capable of self sustainment and do not require indoor life and frequent human attention. Many may prefer it, especially if raised that way, but cats are still and for all of our lives will remain capable of independent life.

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u/things_U_choose_2_b 4d ago

I looked after my sisters cat last year, he was very clingy after the first 24h.

Dunno if it was because he was anxious being in a new environment / left with the strange guy. When my sister came to collect him she picked him up for a hug, he yowled and grabbed my arm with his lil paws <3 prob didn't want to go home to the house he shares with doofus dog haha.

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u/ElegantEconomy3686 4d ago edited 4d ago

House cats are actually quite social animals. The idea that cats are independent loners is derived from European wildcats, which house cats are not. The little demons we domesticated are African wildcats which usually live in loose social packs.

They are more independent than dogs, but they do need attention and companionship. For this reason you should have at least two cats, if the cat can’t roam free outside and you’re away most of the day.

Edit: Apparently it’s controversial to tell people to not treat their cat like house decoration.

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u/Odisher7 4d ago

that depends entirely on the circumstances, we adopted our cat partially because we weren't planning on getting another and he can't be with other cats, the asshole is a menace

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u/ElegantEconomy3686 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yeah thats unfortunately often a problem. A lot of cats have behavioral issues, because they haven’t been socialized properly. Usually they’ve been taken out of the litter too soon and/or have been alone too much.

Imagine what it does to a human if you keep them separated from other kids until they’re 10, obviously they will have a hard time getting along with other kids.

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u/Legate_Rick 4d ago

For real. You're getting an animal and only caring for its social needs when convenient for you? Says a lot about those people.

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u/JVattic 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yeah dont worry, people here have no clue how you are supposed to treat cats nowadays. Its not that cats evolved in the last 30 years, its that we used to treat pets pretty shitty / not appropriate and didn't bother.

Most cats are social in one way or another. Get two cats are none at all if nobody will be home for 10 hours a day. Lots of cats won't be ok with being left alone for 24 or even 48 hours.

Same with at least half of the "cute" cat/kitten vids on here. Thats not cute kitten behavior, thats "whathefuck they took me away from my mum at least 1 month too early" behavior. Or "yeah thats not really normal affection, thats anxiety dude".

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u/Brrdock 4d ago

Oh they're social animals for sure, even if not as overtly in our social language!

But they'll be fine for at least 24h, unlike a dog, who'll eat all their food in 15 minutes and then shit on your bed while eating your designer ceiling fan just to leave a message

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u/Iwona_Klich 4d ago

My cats eat all they food i 2 minutes... Then throw up... And again... 

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u/ElegantEconomy3686 4d ago

I think you’d be surprised, a lot of domestic cats actually just tend to have behavioral issues because they’ve been alone too much.
If you’re leaving your cat completely alone for that long it will cause them anxiety and potentially a lot of grief (it doesn’t understand why you didn’t return around your usual time)

I don’t know what dogs you’ve had, but thats not their normal behavior for a dog either. The dog will do its business in a corner, if it’s urgent. And yes it might try to find some form of entertainment and anxiety relief if it gets bad, but I’ve never seen a dog start a full on purge.

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u/wafflequinn 4d ago

Not true. Cats want company too. My cats would hardly eat when i was away

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u/Nauin 4d ago

I have five cats and even stepping outside for twenty minutes is enough for me to be swarmed by noses, cheeks, and tongues when I get back inside. They get plenty of social time, they're just that happy to see me.

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u/Iwona_Klich 4d ago

Not for mine. They been depressed if they can't sleep with us. 

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u/LordIndica 4d ago

This is just a horrible, incorrect sterotype that has caused so, so much suffering for domestic cats everywhere. Cats are just as needy and dependent as dogs are, they just don't have the ability to tear your sofa apart or bark at insane volumes to let you know they are going mad from being left isolated. Domestic cats do not live as solitary animals if they go feral, they are social animals that will live in groups. We literally bred and domesticated them to be social so that they would be friendly and affectionate with us. 

Far too many people will get a cat erroneously thinking they don't have to give it attention or stimulation or any sort of enriching environment, that they are "fine on their own", and  functionally just end up treating them like a fluffy accessory or furniture they can oogle and then leave alone in their barren, lifeless house, and those poor cats get so, so depressed. It's why so many cats are overweight and why some studies find that nearly ~50% are chronically depressed. 

Think about it. While humans can sit idle in their homes for long periods, that is because we have a rich inner-world and leisure amenities to keep us entertained. Cats do not have that. They are smart and emotional, but they don't have a human imagination. Think about how frustrating covid lockdown was. That is many cats eternity, without the ability to watch tv, read, play or converse. Leaving out toys is barely helping. The toys are inanimate. They're "dead". The cat can't create elaborate games for itself.

Please, everyone, if you are going to get a cat, get them a friend or be prepared to commit just as much time and attention as you would to a dog. Cats aren't any less alive than dogs. They crave stimulus and to live in a living world, and often times you are their whole world, their everything, where everything that gives their lives meaning comes from. 

This is a very, very good law.

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u/Able-Ordinary-7280 4d ago

My cats absolutely do have the ability to tear my sofa apart and bark (well, meow and howl) at insane volumes. And they don’t have a barren lifeless house, they have plenty of “leisure amenities”. My house is basically a cat amusement park with all of the cat toys and equipment (before we even get to the issue of the cats using everything else in the house as an assault course too). They’ll be fine for 24 hours. I obviously wouldn’t leave them alone constantly for 24 hours multiple times a week, but a single 24 hours every few months if something urgent comes up is perfectly fine.

I also have two cats though, so they have each other for company if the humans aren’t there.

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u/d_T_73 4d ago

idk, my cat meows on the door when I leave, runs to me when I come back and tries to be around me or at least comes to check if I'm still here often. She even refuses to sleep alone, sometimes doesn't even eat without me

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u/Hopeful_Ad_7719 4d ago

Sweden's days and nights are like a month long.

This law works different above the arctic circle.

/s, but only kindof.

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u/Penguin_Arse 4d ago

24h

Also leaving your dog in a crate when you go to work is animal abuse.

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u/Alan_Reddit_M 4d ago

Lmao, government ordained joy and whimsy

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Swedish cats must be so angry about no longer having their houses to themselves during the day

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u/bobby_table5 4d ago

The law reads 24 hours, so you can go to work, just not leave them overnight.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Ok all day then instead of during the day 😂

I slept over at a friend's house once because they didn't wanna leave their cats alone while they had to be out of town suddenly. The cats seemed more annoyed that I was in their space than anything, refused to even show their faces.

Good thing too, because I am not equipped to care for cats, can barely care for myself and I can usually tell myself what I need. I was just the "go sit and scroll on our couch instead of at home and call if anything happens"

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u/JButler_16 4d ago

I’d say cats are easier to take care of than ourselves to be honest.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Yes, they can be quite vocal about the few needs they do have (food, water, poop scooping) I think they could cue me in sooner on their needs than I perceive my own now I think about it 😂

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u/phycologist 4d ago

food, water, poop scooping

...play, cuddles, affection

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u/Textiles_on_Main_St 4d ago

My cat pets me when she wants pets. lol. Usually there’s no mystery what she wants in her life.

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u/Cartographer_Hopeful 4d ago

Haha mine does too - and when he's had enough, he uses his paw to gently push my hand down off of him too

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u/chickenthinkseggwas 4d ago

My friend asked if I wanted to brush her cat, so I did. We kept chatting, until the cat gently pushed my hand away. I said 'What am I doing wrong?' My friend said 'You're using the wrong side of the brush.' So I turned it over and said to the cat 'Give me another chance.' He did.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Not from a stranger who has no idea what to do with cats (other than respect their boundaries) apparently 😂

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u/Active_Reply2718 4d ago

Yeah, mostly you just leave them alone.

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u/teniaret 4d ago

Cats like to know what's going on, so if you're an unknown quantity in their space they may be unsettled or annoyed, but they are very social animals with people/other animals who they know and trust

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u/LordIndica 4d ago

As someone that has had many cats, thank you for acknowledging you don't have the capacity to offer them the care they need, because they most certainly do need it and far too many people are not equipped to give it, but get them anyway. I am not being crass, I am genuinely grateful to you.

Cats are just as alive and social as dogs are. We literally domesticated and bred them to be that way. They just can't tear apart your sofa or walls or bark at 500 decibels for hours when they go stir-crazy like a dog might. They are social animals and live in groups/families if they are go feral.

Cats will bond HARD, usually with their "chosen" person, and if you are that person that means you are basically providing every good thing that cat every experiences. Without me, my cat has no life. They don't have a rich inner world to pass the time with if they are home alone. Imagine being in perpetual covid lockdown but you have no internet, no tv, no books, no phone, no games, just empty, dead rooms with dead furniture. Sure, they sleep a lot, but their waking hours still need to have something stimulating to give their lives meaning. Assuming otherwise is why some studies conclude that nearly half of cats are just chronically depressed and overweight (what besides eating do they have to do?) And thus contribute to the sterotype that cats are "chill" and "low maintenance" when really they are just quiet and lethargic when they're miserable.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

I really wanted a cat until I tried watching them for that friend. Still absolutely love cats, but I am not able to bear that responsibility even though it breaks my heart. Before that, I wanted to adopt a cat no one else wanted, now I know that even that would be cruel.

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u/18bluecat 4d ago

I have plenty of cat trees and feed the birds next to a window so he can watch them while I'm gone.

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u/Maij-ha 4d ago

To be fair, most cats take care of their owners instead of the other way around.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

I read about a lady who used her cat for medication reminders. She'd take her pills same time every day, then give the cat a treat...

After a while the cat started urging her to take those meds at the designated time 😂

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u/EmpressJJ 4d ago

thats a stupid law, cats can easily be left for a weekend, the real law should be to have 2 cats instead of 1 because they are social and need to do activities and play friends

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u/lukibunny 4d ago

I only know two people that have two cats and both pairs just tolerates each other.. one of the cats always seem annoyed with the other cat.

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u/eleven_paws 4d ago

I have two cats. They are quite fond of each other, and this isn’t uncommon. You can look up “bonded pairs” if you want to know more.

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u/EmpressJJ 4d ago

I also know of humans who just tolerate other humans, humans are still a social animal yk

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u/lukibunny 4d ago

There are very few people in the world that doesn’t have at least one person they love. Be it their parents or their kids or their siblings or a friend.

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u/CheechChongCommunism 4d ago

Mr Bigglesworth knows the deal, if the cops come I just left 5mins ago.

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u/killcraft1337 4d ago

I’m trying to decipher if ur name means you pronounce Freya as Freeya or Free as Frey

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Depends on your point of reference, if you're coming from English, it's almost like the colour gray but with an F instead of a G

But if you're coming from Swedish, it's closer to Freja without the ja

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u/killcraft1337 4d ago

Interesting! Thanks for the explanation

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u/boredatwork8866 4d ago

I’m still confused

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u/NerdyFrida 4d ago

I'm Swedish and I'm also confused. Without the ja?

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u/HenkPoley Interested 4d ago

Their name is “Free”, not “Freya”. But “Free” is pronounced like the Swedish name “Freja”, if you drop the “-ja”.

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u/NerdyFrida 4d ago

So their name is Free but it's pronounced as fray? Or in Swedish as frei.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

Yup, that's very close! It's a Dutch name, so different pronunciation than it would be in English

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u/NerdyFrida 4d ago edited 4d ago

Thank you! I can understand that this would cause a lot of confusion for people in an English speaking context. I can't even search for the name properly.

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u/followMeUp2Gatwick 4d ago

So.. fray. Just say fray. Lol

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u/last-rounds 4d ago

They are beside themselves. Theyve been trying to get the vote for decades.

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u/Free_as_in_Freya 4d ago

I suggest we give them a little vote, as a treat!

Maybe redistrubute all the votes billionaires get to the cat population instead, billionaires vote with their wallets instead of their ballots anyway 😈

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u/sleepswithmusic 4d ago

Give it a week they’ll rebel by napping across every laptop keyboard in sweden

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u/ThreadCountHigh 4d ago

What if you have two cats?

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u/Wtfisafosty 4d ago

I’ll be captain obvious in this 1 people don’t worry: If there is 2 cats. The cat is not alone

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u/SparkyCorkers 4d ago

What if the 2 cats hate each other?

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u/LounBiker 4d ago

They'll learn to get along. It's the law.

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u/stellaluna92 4d ago

9 years and counting :') I guess it's time I send them to the mines

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u/solitarywallflower 4d ago

Heard somewhere recently that even if the 2 hate each other it will keep them more occupied during the day thus giving less separation anxiety from human

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u/Visinvictus 4d ago

Plotting the demise of their mortal enemies is definitely one of a cats most treasured activities.

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u/ItIsTooMuchForMe 4d ago

what if one of the cat is a dog?

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u/sexual__velociraptor 4d ago

Straight to jail

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u/doc_nano 4d ago

Even if there is one cat and a spider, the cat is not alone.

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u/-0_x 4d ago

At least not upon the initial encounter.

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u/pinewoodranger 4d ago

Actually, each additional cat counts as a multiplier. 2 cats = 2x24h = can be left alone 48h.
Want to go on vacation for a week? Get 6 more cats to cover the time you'll be gone.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/globmand 4d ago

The law is about neglect and loneliness in cats. Two cats are fine, they have companionship. It is the exact intent of the law

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u/ThrowDatJunkAwayYo 4d ago

My previous cats were a brother sister pair. I literally did what you were supposed to do and ended up having to re-home one of them because the brother was harassing his sister and she was traumatised.

I really hope this is one of those “we’ll only enforce it in obvious neglect cases” as opposed to a blanket rule, some cats do not want a friend and are happier as solo cats.

My current cat was rehomed to me for the same reason, aggression to other cats/animals (he will literally throw himself at other animals). Definitely a solo cat only. He does love people though.

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u/Echo-Azure 4d ago

Yeah, I knew a cat who hated other cats, and lived with four other cats. The human in question knew perfectly well that this cat wanted to be a single, spoiled-rotten lady's cat, but was never able to find a willing lady.

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u/globmand 4d ago

I mean you can also follow the law by playing with the cat yourself. It isn't that all cats need another cat, they just need social engagement by law

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u/ptitguillaume 4d ago

No, it's exactly the point of the law.

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u/ItIsTooMuchForMe 4d ago

good question, you found a loophole. it means half the time, or you can double it?

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u/Cremato 4d ago

It was not only written for the social aspect, it's also that the cat/cats could be injured or sick. Imagine your cat hurts itself and then nobody checks on it for several days.

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u/OpanaG76 4d ago

Now that’s a loophole that’ll get you employed getting tax cuts for the rich if I’ve ever heard one

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u/ardotschgi 4d ago edited 4d ago

How is that a "loophole"? The intent is to protect the animals and make sure they don't get depraved of interaction. It's not to give random fines to pet owners.

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u/OpanaG76 4d ago

It’s a joke sorry I didn’t add a /s I thought it was pretty clear

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u/Phlegmagician 4d ago

Your cat will also be arrested if, inversely, it leaves you alone all day. So, yeah, #justice.

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u/idonteven93 4d ago

From your own source:

> According to the new amendments, owners must engage in play with their cats at least twice daily and provide designated resting areas.

I don't see where the title is relevant.

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u/amanset 4d ago

Any cat I have ever had any interaction with, including the ones I had as a kid and the one I had as an adult that died at the age of 18, has completely ignored any designated resting area.

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u/RoboDae 4d ago

We foster a lot of cats and one thing I've found very frustrating is that when we put blankets or cat beds in the cages they like to drag them into the litterbox and just sleep on the plastic instead.

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u/vanishinghitchhiker 4d ago

If the bottom of the crate isn’t solid, they might be able to feel the cage through the bedding. Otherwise maybe they just like the high walls on the litterbox or something idk

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u/Absolute_cyn 4d ago

From what I've seen. The cats choose their resting area and you designate it around them. I keep the right side of my bed completely clear because that's where they like to sleep.

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u/Birdlebee 4d ago

Does the foot of the bed count? My small elephant ignores the tree, bed,  abs carrots other options on offer in favor of pinning me down. And if I'm not in bed by 1030, he comes to scold me until I fix that. 

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u/Death_God_Ryuk 4d ago

My family cat also had very little interest in any toys we got him, particularly as he got older. He'd rather wander around outside.

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u/Captain_Jarmi 4d ago

Impossible to engage in play twice daily if you don't see your cat a whole day. Logic is a crazy concept.

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u/bythog 4d ago

Also, I have a cat that refuses to play at all. Zero interest in it. We've tried virtually every toy on the market. Instead, we give her a pile of catnip that she goes crazy over then naps.

So she's just a stoner cat. No wonder I don't care for her all that much.

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u/Historical_Owl_1635 4d ago

 Logic is a crazy concept.

It is, and the logic that things like this are put in place to have something on neglectful/abusive owners and not something that will be strictly enforced has been completely lost on you.

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u/PaprinSwE 4d ago edited 4d ago

it has been illegal since 2008

det är olagligt att lämna en katt ensam för länge enligt svensk lag. Enligt Jordbruksverkets föreskrifter (SJVFS 2008:5) måste en katt ha tillsyn minst två gånger per dygn. Att lämna en katt ensam över ett dygn utan tillsyn, även med extra mat och vatten, bryter mot djurskyddslagen och kan leda till böter.

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u/ao01_design 4d ago

Automatic translation for whose wondering :

It is illegal to leave a cat alone for too long under Swedish law. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations (SJVFS 2008:5), a cat must be supervised at least twice a day. Leaving a cat alone for more than 24 hours without supervision, even with extra food and water, violates the Animal Welfare Act and can lead to a fine.

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u/Hearte42 4d ago

Misleading title then. Makes it sound like you can't even spend a full day at work without checking on your cat.

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u/FixGMaul 4d ago

Definitely misleading. I would assume to make it sound more dramatic than it is. "All day" doesn't mean "any consecutive 24 hour period".

If I say "I've been at work all day" that implies around 8–9 hours.

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u/Aegi 4d ago

No it doesn't, it says leaving your cat alone all day, not for part of the day which is how long we worked, all day would be 24 hours...

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u/PaprinSwE 4d ago

Sorry I was too lazy to do that myself 👍

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u/J_Linnea 4d ago

Yes, this title is so misleading. It's for when you travel and leave the cat at home, it needs to be checked on twice every day.

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u/EvulOne99 4d ago

This law is here to make sure you check on your cat twice per day.

Litter box emptied, food and water available. If you're going to be away for longer than that, you need someone else to check on your cat.

I'm thinking the law may be the result of people leaving their cats for days while going on a vacation over the weekend or something.

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u/LordIndica 4d ago

It is about maintaining healthy living conditions, but it is moreso meant to fight the chronic neglect that far too many cats are often subjected to. People still buy into the false stereotype that cats aren't "social" animals, and thus many people get a cat thinking that it will "take care of itself" and functionally just treat it like a living decoration for their house or as a cute toy to play with when the owner feels like it, otherwise never bothering to provide a stimulating and enriching lived experience for a living thing that is just as alive as a dog is. Way, waaaaay too many cats are chronically depressed because they have nothing to do and no other living things to interact with for long stretches of time, maybe getting at best a few minutes of stimulus every week. 

Imagine being in covid lock-down, forever, but no tv, no internet, no phone, no books, no games and no rich inner world of imagination to occupy your mind. 

The police obviously aren't coming to knock down your door if you have to leave Fluffy at home for an overnight trip, but just like a dog needs a walk a cat without a buddy needs something to stimulate them or else you are functionally subjecting them to solitary confinement.

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u/mister-ferguson 4d ago

The punishment for leaving your cat alone for 24 hours is usually that it pisses on your bed

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u/ExultentPisces 4d ago

Misleading title.

In Sweden, it is now legally required to attend to your cat’s needs at least twice in any 24 hour period.

Which is the absolute bare minimum any person with a cat should be doing anyway.

This law won’t change how people care for their pets. But it could persuade those who don’t look after their cats to change their behaviour.

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u/brioche_boy 4d ago

“Sorry, can’t come to work. The new law says so.”

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u/EmmCeeB 4d ago

Were there particular incidents that necessitated this? This seems totally ridiculous to me.

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u/TlalocVirgie 4d ago

The cat needs to be checked upon twice every 24 hrs. It's not that crazy.

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u/AuodWinter 4d ago

True, but if you have automatic food and water dispensers and an automatic litter tray, then why can't you leave them longer than 24 hours?

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u/Death_God_Ryuk 4d ago

It depends on the cat, environment, and duration. Imo, once per calendar day is a more appropriate legal requirement, with twice per 24h recommended.

E.g. for a healthy cat with outdoor access, topping up their food and water and tidying the litterbox once a day for a few days is fine. Examples of where I'd say more time/visits are needed : any health issues that need monitoring, indoor cats - they need more interaction, wet food in summer - goes nasty quickly, longer time away - need some longer sessions periodically to keep an eye on the cat, spot problems, and keep them socialised.

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u/Valuable_Bus_8658 4d ago

It's not new, no clue why its been spun up again

It is illegal to leave a cat alone for too long under Swedish law. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations (SJVFS 2008:5), a cat must be supervised at least twice a day. Leaving a cat alone for more than 24 hours without supervision, even with extra food and water, violates the Animal Welfare Act and can lead to a fine.

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u/Garchompisbestboi 4d ago

That's fucking stupid if its true because cats sleep 20 hours a day.

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u/FriendoftheDork 4d ago

That's 4 hours to give them food and a little affection.

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u/VatanKomurcu 4d ago

government mandated cat time

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u/HettySwollocks 4d ago

That seems, odd, most cats are more than happy to sleep all day by a sunny window.

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u/BriefDescription 4d ago edited 4d ago

It's 2 times per 24 hours. For dogs it's 6 hours between walks during the day (so 3 walks a day).

I mean you hear similar arguments from Americans all the time. It's fine to circumcise kids because they don't remember it, it's fine to lock dogs in cages all day because they don't mind.

I do agree that a cat is probably fine for 24 hours but why get a cat or dog if you're gonna lock them up all the time or leave them alone for days regularly.

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u/Pyrhan 4d ago

For dogs it's 6 hours between walks. 

How is that supposed to be feasible? Most people work and sleep in more than 6 hours increments!

I'm all for animal welfare, but this just seems excessive.

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u/AlternativeHour1337 4d ago

6 hours between walks? so no working adult can ever have a dog anymore? i bet the dogs that cant exist anymore are happy about that lol
sweden is wild in terms of laws and all that

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u/DeliciousBeanWater 4d ago

They expect everyone to be able to hire a dog walker or to be able to go home during their lunch break

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u/AlternativeHour1337 4d ago

i guess they just dont want people to have dogs or pets, just work sleep repeat

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u/HamunaHamunaHamuna 4d ago

The cost of going to the vet in Sweden reinforces that assumption.

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u/feedthedogwalkamile 4d ago

No, we just place the welfare of animals above the someone's vanity for having a pet. If you can't properly care for your pet, don't get one.

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u/iceyconditions 4d ago

Oh reddit absolutely believes people with a 9-5 cannot have a dog

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u/AlternativeHour1337 4d ago

reddit absolutely hates dogs and pets in general

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u/Aegi 4d ago

Isn't the reason that Reddit allegedly collectively feels this way because they love the pets too much that they're worried people aren't being nice enough to them?

I don't understand how you're getting your takeaway..

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u/iceyconditions 4d ago

True, but this is on the breed specific and training subs. You're expected to work from home or be independently wealthy if you own a dog, people lose their minds when they find out my Dutch Shepherds sleep for the 8 hours I'm at work lol

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u/AlternativeHour1337 4d ago

its because most normal people dont comment on reddit

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u/BriefDescription 4d ago

The nanny state is strong but in this case I would rather have it this way than Americans that lock their dogs in cages all day. Dogs existing is a stupid argument you always see in these discussions. It should be easy to objectively decide what's good for the health of the animals. I understand that most people don't care about that though.

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u/AlternativeHour1337 4d ago

i also live in the EU and we dont have these stupid laws no one can enforce but we still have very strong animal protection
they maybe dont live in cages but what about people who just walk around the house once 4 times a day because they apparently HAVE to do? do you always wake up 6 hours into the night to walk your dog ? what about dogs who are more than happy to walk twice a day?

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u/BriefDescription 4d ago

I agree that laws like this don't do much. Also it's every 6 hours during the day. So 3 walks a day. Again people can claim anything. They can say my dog is fine being locked up 12 hours a day, every day. Doesn't mean that's objectively the best for the animal.

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u/Round-Claim5420 4d ago

And even more cats are happy to do exactly that... but with a second cat.

It's about leaving them alone for 1/3 to 1/2 of their life.

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u/Ser_falafel 4d ago

Dogs i can see but cats is kinda insane... wife and I have an automatic feeder and a camera so if there is an emergency we csn contact someone to come over.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago edited 4d ago

[deleted]

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u/Ser_falafel 4d ago

Im not saying to leave them home an extended period of time but 24 hours isnt long at all for a cat lol

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u/ArtbyLinnzy 4d ago

The law was made in 2007.

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u/Fiddy-Scent 4d ago

That’s great and all but how do they enforce this?

Do they ask the cats?

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u/AnimationOverlord 4d ago

What quantifies as all day? Can I leave for work, come home, and not expect a court date? I had a Siamese cat and even though we’d both have loved more time together he was kinda.. fine on his own. King of the house

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u/ForeskinAbsorbtion 4d ago

Yes, other comments have linked and it needs to be checked on at least twice per 24 hour period. Title is bait.

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u/LordIndica 4d ago

This is obviously not a law meant to police your activities down to the literal hour. Police aren't coming to your door if you take an overnight stay elsewhere once in a while. It is meant to fight the chronic neglect that waaaaay too many cats are subjected to because far too many folks believe the erroneous sterotype that cats aren't social animals (they are very much social animals) and so they don't have to put as much effort into caring for them as they would a dog. They do in fact need an equivalent level (but a different variety) of care as a dog does, but people will too often just treat them like furniture and leave them isolated and miserable, but think nothing of it because "hey, it's just a cat". 

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u/Important_Morning565 4d ago

Pretty sure my cat would send out a search party to demand an explanation for the lack of cuddles after just 8 hours alone.

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u/PTech_J 4d ago

That's one of the best things about cats is that they can be left alone for a day and be OK. You can't with dogs, sure, but cats will shit in a box and excersize themselves.

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u/GDsusuernameinnit 4d ago

My cat leaves me alone all day - can I get him sent down?

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u/AvePhallusDominum 4d ago

That's a stupid law and impossible to enforce

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u/Shiny_Greenfish 4d ago

What about dogs? They are even less independent than cats.

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u/AnotherCloudHere 4d ago

It was already in place for dogs. I think it was max six hours alone time for dogs. For cats it wasn’t regulated

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u/Honky_Town 4d ago

Leaves for work and cat goes to sleep.

Come home from work, cat flips over to the other side.

Going to sleep and my cat wants food and gets out to pat some animals with her paws. I get up a few times in middle of night to feed her.

Im a criminal now!

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u/FloppieTheBanjoClown 4d ago

My cat has spent more than 24 hours hiding out in an empty room.

I feel like these people don't understand cats. 

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u/bostonterrierist 4d ago

What about if your cat leaves you alone all day? Or for like days at a time?

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u/lovethebacon Interested 4d ago

ITT: Americans discovering that "pet ownership" in some countries includes the "ownership" part. Ssome of us see pets as sentient dependents, while others see them as decorative roommates you can pause when inconvenient.

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u/user0620 4d ago

Definately worse with dogs that with cats, since dogs are far more social and dependent. We not only leave the cramped indoors, but deny them bladder autonomy. Should be illegal to own a dog and live in an apartment without a dog yard.

We've always had two cats at a time, and that's good enough for them, though most of the time they want nothing to do with each other.

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u/URAPhallicy 4d ago

Anyone who is sane and has ever owned a cat knows this is beyond ridiculous. That means Sweden has insane people or dog people in charge.

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u/TargetMaleficent 4d ago

This law makes no sense, cats take care of themselves perfectly fine on their own.

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u/Guilty_Mastodon5432 4d ago

Well....cats or dogs are like children...you should not leave more than 24 hours without any contact.....

At least having two in the house keeps them busy...

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u/wheelsfalloff 4d ago

I can barely do an 8 hour work day without racing home to my good boy.

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u/Pleasant_Studio9690 4d ago

Did anyone ask the cats how they feel about their alone time being ripped away from them?

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u/cookiesnooper 4d ago

Every time I hear about laws like this, I am solidified in my conviction that politicians have fuck all to do so they come up with anything to look busy.

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u/Prize_Ad6430 4d ago

Shit like this is why I enjoy being pet free.

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u/TheFreakingUsername 4d ago

I hope those wise lawmakers will also go to work instead of me, so that I could sit with my cat.

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u/gargasmella 4d ago

don't they have worse problems to legislate about? i know they can do two things at once but this is really a useless waste of resources

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u/Grid_Rider 4d ago

Angy kitteh

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u/navor 4d ago

So what, everyone’s just supposed to hand over their cat now? Are shelters about to overflow, or will we just have stray cats roaming everywhere?

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u/SpaxterJ 4d ago

Tf you mean now? It's been for decades.

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u/banbha19981998 4d ago

My cars an anti social dickhead he will loiter on his window staring post no matter what

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u/IanAlvord 4d ago

How do they prove this in court?

"Will the cat please take the witness stand."

"Meow meow meow!"

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u/Smart-Coyote8495 4d ago

Understandable for dogs, but for felines not so much.

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u/Amethyst271 4d ago

Thats a bit extreme

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u/prince-pauper 4d ago

Dogs I’d get but cats? Really?

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u/MikeHuntSmellss 4d ago

Have they met most cats?

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u/Enjoying_A_Meal 4d ago

I've met a couple, but def not most of the cats in existence.

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u/jaded1121 4d ago

I now have a life goal….

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u/Odd_Base9024 4d ago

Somehow the swedish can do small but good-hearted things the rest of the world wouldn't even think up

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u/fothergillfuckup 4d ago

Why? I've just been away for 5 days. We have an auto feeder, and my son stops in to borrow stuff, and check they're okay every few days. There is zero difference in the response from them, than you normally get. From experience, it's dogs that suffer separation anxiety, cats are glad to see the back off you.

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u/VerilyJULES 4d ago

What if your feeder stops working?

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u/fothergillfuckup 4d ago

It never has. I'd probably sue if it did, as its quite important! And, like I said, my son checks up on them every few days. Believe me, they are quite capable of feeding themselves, if need be!

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u/purple_hexagon 4d ago

Or there's an accident?

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u/fothergillfuckup 4d ago

In the 35 years of owning cats, one of them had one accident! And that was due to it being the first time they'd ever been let out, when they were young. They're cats, they're incredibly good at looking after themselves.

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u/orlandohockeyguy 4d ago

Well that is stupid.

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u/AxeRabbit 4d ago

That sounds like a way to punish poor people for the crime of having to work. Will they offer free cat daycare or they will just punish people? Poor nurses and doctors and people with multiple jobs

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u/Vistella 4d ago

i mean, you are there befor you leave for work and you are there after you return from work. you arent gone the whole day

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u/acheckerfield 4d ago

I mean this is ridiculous, anybody who has had an outdoor cat knows how incredibly resilient they actually are.

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u/imnotabot303 4d ago

I think the police in Sweden have bigger issues to deal with right now than people leaving their cats alone.

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u/VisionsOfClarity 4d ago

I have an auto feeder and my cats play with bottle caps. They would be fine without me for 24 hrs lmao

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u/sambarvadadosa 4d ago

It annoys me that people treat independence as evidence of low emotional complexity. Domestic cats are incredibly social beings - just bc they don’t act ‘needy’ or express it in the way that dogs do, doesn’t mean they’re indifferent.

There was even a study in 2017 where they put cats in a room with four options: food, toys, scent, or their human. After a brief period of mild deprivation (so they were motivated but not stressed), researchers measured what they chose first and how much time they spent with it.

Result - about 50% of the cats chose their human OVER food, toys, and scent as their top preference. Food came second at roughly 37%. The rest were scattered across toys and scent. And these were just PREFERENCES out of 4 things they already love.