A viral post about cat owners in Sweden has many wondering if felines are treated better than people.
It states that owners can't leave their cat alone for long periods of time and need "daily human interaction.
"Kittens are also expected to grow up with other cats," it adds. "Officials say it reflects a better understanding that cats need social connection pretty similar to how humans do, not just food and space."
Reading this can give people the impression that cats are treated better than people in Sweden. We did some digging to see how accurate this post really is. Find out the results below.
The post is an interpretation of Sweden's Animal Welfare Act, which began being enforced in 2019. (You'll need Google Translate to read it.) There have been several updates since then, though.
It is illegal to leave your cat alone for long periods in Sweden, per the Animal Welfare Act. Specifically, it states that an adult cat must be checked on at least twice a day. It is recommended more often for kittens and sick or injured animals. However, there is nothing in the law that states a specific period of time, such as every six hours.
In short, it is not illegal for a cat to be alone while you are working. Their basic needs should be met twice a day.
This is more of a recommendation than a legal requirement. There is no specific law requiring you to give your cat a certain amount of quality time.
This is more for breeders than owners. It is recommended that breeders keep kittens with their mother and siblings until they are around three months old. This helps support the development of good behavior and welfare.
The Animal Welfare Act in Sweden seems more like common sense when you look more closely. But how would authorities know you are checking on your cat twice a day?
In a practical example, a neighbor would be the first to report it. The County Administrative Board would then investigate the complaint. If the illegal behavior is confirmed, authorities would then order the pet owner to arrange supervision or impose a fine.
In more serious cases, the animal would be removed from the home, and the owner could be criminally prosecuted.
