Yoga for Cats
June 15, 2015 9:28 AM Subscribe
Older shelter cats are often hard to place, and get overlooked at shelters. An Illinois no-kill shelter partnered with a yoga studio to raise money give some kitties more exposure. The results were adorable.
Those are relaxed and confident looking cats. This is a nice idea. I hope they can keep doing things like this and that lots of cats get adopted.
If I had to start over with new cats I'd totally adopt an older one, kittens are cute but they're also crazy, noisy, messy, annoying and not very cuddly. Plus you're never quite sure what you're going to end up with. They get really good about two years then just stay holding steady at awesome from then on.
posted by shelleycat at 9:46 AM on June 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I had to start over with new cats I'd totally adopt an older one, kittens are cute but they're also crazy, noisy, messy, annoying and not very cuddly. Plus you're never quite sure what you're going to end up with. They get really good about two years then just stay holding steady at awesome from then on.
posted by shelleycat at 9:46 AM on June 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
Not yoga, but I have a set of leg stretches I have started doing in the mornings to deal with knee and foot pain. My little cat has begun to run into the bedroom when he hears me get up and put his paws up on the wall and streeeeeetch to help me see how it should be done. Or possibly to show off and make fun of me.
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:52 AM on June 15, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:52 AM on June 15, 2015 [12 favorites]
In related news, a cat cafe is scheduled to open in Washington DC in a few days, planning to show cats from the humane society.
posted by exogenous at 9:53 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by exogenous at 9:53 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
However, cat hair and yoga pants are not a great combination unless you want to gradually become a furry.
posted by srboisvert at 10:09 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 10:09 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
I bet Fishmongering for Cats would be popular as well...
posted by jim in austin at 10:20 AM on June 15, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by jim in austin at 10:20 AM on June 15, 2015 [3 favorites]
File this one under "duh." We occasionally do yoga at home, and our cats want to be involved.
Actually, they want to be involved in anything we're doing. But they seem pretty adept with screwing up our yoga poses.
posted by Thistledown at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2015
Actually, they want to be involved in anything we're doing. But they seem pretty adept with screwing up our yoga poses.
posted by Thistledown at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2015
Cats in general appreciate anything you do that brings you down to their level, from my experience.
Some years ago I moved into a rural house after a relative moved out. He couldn't take his pets with him, so we inherited two dogs and two cats, all of them basically outdoor animals. On first acquaintance, the cats (mother and daughter) seemed bratty, demanding, and unlovable, but it soon became apparent that they had just plain never gotten the attention they needed to feel secure. What really hastened the bonding between us was my discovery that when I would lie out on the wooden deck to get some sun, the cats would come over and proceed to head-butt me gently, one on either side, to show affection. You'd have to be made of stone to resist that as an invitation to become friends.
posted by Creosote at 10:33 AM on June 15, 2015 [10 favorites]
Some years ago I moved into a rural house after a relative moved out. He couldn't take his pets with him, so we inherited two dogs and two cats, all of them basically outdoor animals. On first acquaintance, the cats (mother and daughter) seemed bratty, demanding, and unlovable, but it soon became apparent that they had just plain never gotten the attention they needed to feel secure. What really hastened the bonding between us was my discovery that when I would lie out on the wooden deck to get some sun, the cats would come over and proceed to head-butt me gently, one on either side, to show affection. You'd have to be made of stone to resist that as an invitation to become friends.
posted by Creosote at 10:33 AM on June 15, 2015 [10 favorites]
shelleycat: "never quite sure what you're going to end up with"
Too true. Friend of mine had a very rumbustious kitten that wrestled and chewed on every cord, only to then grow up into a big fat lazy slob that was the only cat I've ever met that had regular audible farts.
posted by wcfields at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
Too true. Friend of mine had a very rumbustious kitten that wrestled and chewed on every cord, only to then grow up into a big fat lazy slob that was the only cat I've ever met that had regular audible farts.
posted by wcfields at 10:36 AM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
This is really cute.
Anytime I even sit on the floor at home, I become a magnet for all 4 of our pets. Trying yoga just results in lots of dog kisses, cat kisses/headbumps, and/or furry butts way too close to my face. On top of the noisy conflict that happens when the dog/cat pair that don't get along both want to be near me, but not each other. I'm sure I could get some of this to make some adorable pictures, but it is not so good for a workout. So, Mr Fig and I take our yoga practice to a studio.
And yes -- adult cats are much better to adopt than kittens.... Kittens are super-cute, but, they are basically tiny little whirlwinds of energy with lots of pointy bits, and can be big jerks. Yoga with kittens would involve them digging their claws into your yoga pants, climbing up your leg, then leaping from your ass (pushing off with claws) and landing on your neighbor's back (also, heavy on the claws). No thanks.
posted by Fig at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2015
Anytime I even sit on the floor at home, I become a magnet for all 4 of our pets. Trying yoga just results in lots of dog kisses, cat kisses/headbumps, and/or furry butts way too close to my face. On top of the noisy conflict that happens when the dog/cat pair that don't get along both want to be near me, but not each other. I'm sure I could get some of this to make some adorable pictures, but it is not so good for a workout. So, Mr Fig and I take our yoga practice to a studio.
And yes -- adult cats are much better to adopt than kittens.... Kittens are super-cute, but, they are basically tiny little whirlwinds of energy with lots of pointy bits, and can be big jerks. Yoga with kittens would involve them digging their claws into your yoga pants, climbing up your leg, then leaping from your ass (pushing off with claws) and landing on your neighbor's back (also, heavy on the claws). No thanks.
posted by Fig at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2015
This put a big smile on my face, particularly this slightly annoyed fellow. We've adopted our two current furballs as older cats, and they are the best. You get a good sense for their personality and how they'll mesh with you and your other pets. Plus it feels really good to give an older cat a nice comfortable home again, since they've had such a stressful change in their circumstances upon transition to the shelter.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:58 AM on June 15, 2015
posted by Existential Dread at 10:58 AM on June 15, 2015
I was expecting at least one photo of a cat nonchalantly sitting on someone straining through a yoga pose.
I was not disappointed.
posted by tommasz at 10:58 AM on June 15, 2015 [7 favorites]
I was not disappointed.
posted by tommasz at 10:58 AM on June 15, 2015 [7 favorites]
oh YOGA! That's the ticket! I had to give up doing situps at home when Boo kept scrambling to be right where I would squish him when I lowered back to the ground.
posted by janey47 at 10:59 AM on June 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by janey47 at 10:59 AM on June 15, 2015 [1 favorite]
doing yoga at home always resulted in my dog finding whichever part of the yoga mat my face was about to be on and then laying down right there and kicking her feets in the air.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:00 AM on June 15, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 11:00 AM on June 15, 2015 [6 favorites]
This post -- and comments -- made me smile out loud. Thanks to all of you.
posted by key_of_z at 11:44 AM on June 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by key_of_z at 11:44 AM on June 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
I adopted a pair of cats last year, brother and sister. Turns out they are maybe 4 - all the shelter knew was "adult". I had been planning on getting senior cats, but I couldn't resist a brother and sister. I really thought they'd have a head start on getting along.
They have been wonderful. Night and day temperaments, but both so willing to trust and open to affection. The boy is solid black, and one shelter volunteer I know says those tend towards very affectionate.
posted by Ambient Echo at 11:49 AM on June 15, 2015
They have been wonderful. Night and day temperaments, but both so willing to trust and open to affection. The boy is solid black, and one shelter volunteer I know says those tend towards very affectionate.
posted by Ambient Echo at 11:49 AM on June 15, 2015
Oh, and the girl is a dilute tortoiseshell. Bossy and loud, which I love in cats.
posted by Ambient Echo at 11:50 AM on June 15, 2015
posted by Ambient Echo at 11:50 AM on June 15, 2015
Just don't leave them alone with your yoga mats or you'll be rethinking that no-kill policy.
posted by pracowity at 12:56 PM on June 15, 2015
posted by pracowity at 12:56 PM on June 15, 2015
I think a lot of the cat hate that's out there in the world is owed to people adopting single kittens who had no business doing so. Kittens are a serious, pro-level challenge that can drive even the most experienced cat wrangler to drink and despair. Stick all this weaponized cuteness in the hands of a punter and catastrophe is ever-so likely to ensue.
posted by wotsac at 1:54 PM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by wotsac at 1:54 PM on June 15, 2015 [4 favorites]
LOL wotsac.
I think so many people don't understand that cats need affection and attention. Play with them on their terms and they become really attached. If you have a regular schedule, and are there for them, they will so reciprocate. I think they only stay "aloof" when neglected.
posted by Ambient Echo at 2:00 PM on June 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
I think so many people don't understand that cats need affection and attention. Play with them on their terms and they become really attached. If you have a regular schedule, and are there for them, they will so reciprocate. I think they only stay "aloof" when neglected.
posted by Ambient Echo at 2:00 PM on June 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
In related news, a cat cafe is scheduled to open in Washington DC in a few days, planning to show cats from the humane society.--exogenous
A similar one opened a while back in Oakland, California.
posted by eye of newt at 8:32 PM on June 15, 2015
A similar one opened a while back in Oakland, California.
posted by eye of newt at 8:32 PM on June 15, 2015
I have one lovely older lady kitty and she is slowly coming to the end of her time (she's got to be 17 or 18 now). I'm aware that I need to start thinking about the next kitty. I don't do yoga, but I'd love to have a chance to meet adult cats in a non-shelter situation like that when I have a forever home to offer again. I hope someone in Austin comes up with a plan to bring the cats out somewhere other than the pet supply place.
posted by immlass at 8:57 PM on June 15, 2015
posted by immlass at 8:57 PM on June 15, 2015
Not yoga, but I have a set of leg stretches I have started doing in the mornings to deal with knee and foot pain.
I lick myself. Does wonders for your outlook on the day
posted by Smedleyman at 12:43 PM on June 16, 2015
I lick myself. Does wonders for your outlook on the day
posted by Smedleyman at 12:43 PM on June 16, 2015
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