Cats are known as independent creatures, and it can feel like you need them more than they need you. But Swedish authorities disagree. The country has some of the strongest animal protection laws in the world, and the government requires cat owners to check on their cats at least twice a day to make sure they are healthy and happy.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture has rules on how owners should look after their cats. The most important one is, “check on your cat at least twice a day,” because they may seem independent but still need careful care and enjoy being with people. All cats are covered by this rule — even outdoor cats and farm cats — but the board admits that cats with greater needs (such as sick, injured, or pregnant) will need more care and time.
Just leaving food and water out doesn’t meet the need. Pet owners must watch their cats closely to notice strange behavior and make sure they are safe and healthy. By checking on cats twice a day, owners can look for signs of illness, injury, and stress by noticing when their cat is not acting like itself.
While some people outside of Sweden think the rule is strict, many animal protection experts see it as a sign of the country’s promise to protect animals. Cats are generally less studied than dogs, but studies show that there is a close bond between humans and cats. Cats, for example, are able to tell the difference between their human’s usual voice and their “cat voice”.
