Skip to content

We didn’t domesticate cats. They domesticated themselves…

“We didn’t domesticate cats. They domesticated themselves. But not totally, you know? You take a good look at any house cat, and you can tell there’s eventually going to be a day when it goes back wild, you know? When it reverts to its true nature. You fall over and die in a house with your dog…” quote by Sherman Alexie
Download Open image
““We didn’t domesticate cats. They domesticated themselves. But not totally, you know? You take a good look at any house cat, and you can tell there’s eventually going to be a day when it goes back wild, you know? When it reverts to its true nature. You fall over and die in a house with your dog, and your dog will lie down beside your dead body, maybe right on top of it, and starve to death. But a house cat will feast on your eyes as soon as its stomach starts growling.””

Sherman Alexie

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Cats evolved alongside humans, retaining wild instincts that can surface, especially when faced with death, contrasting with dogs' loyalty.

In simple terms: Cats are semi‑wild, dogs are loyal.

Key Takeaway

Respect animal instincts and boundaries.

Themes

animal behavior domestication instinct life and death

Mood

thoughtful cautionary observational

Type

essay observation

When to use this quote

  • household pet care
  • wild animal encounters
  • end‑of‑life scenarios

Key Concepts

co‑evolution wild vs tame survival instinct

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance affection with respect for a pet's nature?
  • When might a pet's wild instincts emerge?
A Different Perspective

The view may overgeneralize cat behavior, ignoring individual variation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Sherman Alexie

Explore all 546 Sherman Alexie quotes

More Domesticated quotes

Browse all 74 Domesticated quotes