Cats are great pets. It’s not just because they’re cute, but because they’re fascinating, sometimes caring, can be good for your health, are low-maintenance, and very intelligent. I’ll tell you every reason I can think of that proves that cats are excellent pets.

First off, they have great personality. Each cat develops a vivid personality, and it’s fun to see them grow. For example, my cat, Butter, has an absolute obsession with plant-based butter, hence his nickname, Butter. Cats can also grow out of some activities, which reminds me a bit too much of humans. For example, Butter used to play with ice cubes.  He would swat them around the kitchen before leaving them to melt into a puddle, but in recent years, he has sadly stopped playing with them.

That brings me to my second point: cats can sense human emotion. That’s right: they know what you’re feeling. Since they have acute visual and auditory capabilities, they can sense a change in scent or body language when you switch emotions. This makes them very good emotional support animals. They also have natural traits that make them great for children with autism. When cats purr, they do more than just purr. A cat’s purr actually lowers blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks. There’s also a rumor that a cat’s purr mends broken bones, yet that hasn’t been proven. Another therapeutic thing about cats is that their calm demeanor helps children with autism better come to terms with reality.

Cats are easier to take care of than many other pets.  They don’t need to be walked, they use a litter box, and don’t need constant attention. Cats even clean themselves. Cats automatically use their litter boxes, and while they aren’t fun to clean, I’d rather do that than have poop duty on a hot summer day. 

Cats tend to be more independent than dogs, making them easier to take care of.  Going on vacation and leaving a cat with a supply of food and water is easier and costs less than hiring a dog sitter. Even though social cats would appreciate a visit from a friend while you’re gone, it’s not dangerous to your pet and belongings if they’re left alone.  

Another thing is that cats can add joy and personality to a household. Of course, some cats hide as soon as a visitor comes over, but others are very social and may even think that visitors are there to see them. One thing I’ve noticed is that other cat owners love to talk about the funny quirks their cat has and compare them with other quirky cat behaviors.  During family gatherings, it’s not unusual for several people to be gathered around Butter, waiting to see if he’s going to allow them to pet him or if he’s going to glare at them before turning his back to them and waltzing away. If a cat can possibly fit into a box, they will definitely do it- and maybe even if they can’t.  

Cats have long lifespans. Cats generally live longer than dogs, averaging 12-20 years compared to dogs’ 10-13 years. Indoor cats also live longer than outdoor cats since they’re less exposed to harmful bacteria and parasites. Another thing is that cats are actually immune to scorpion venom and even eat scorpions when they come across one.

Cats also have magnificent anatomy. They have detached clavicles, allowing for longer jumps. These “floating” clavicles also allow them to squeeze into small crevices. Cats also have flexible spines, which allow them to twist midair, landing on their feet. These felines grow longer whiskers the larger they get, so that they can sense if they will fit, hence the saying “if I fits, I sits”.

Now, let’s get into the history of cats. Cats first started following us around when we started farming in the Fertile Crescent. We developed a mutual partnership with the creatures, and wherever farming practices spread, so too did cats. In Ancient Egypt, around 3100 BCE, cats were truly domesticated. They were not only domesticated but revered as gods, since there was a cat-headed goddess. 

This magic reputation spread all over the world, sadly including Europe. In Europe, they thought that cats were disguised as witches cast to do their evil deeds. They did horrible things to cats, which I won’t list. Thankfully, cats got much better treatment after that. It was said that Muhammad actually had a favorite cat, and he once cut off his robe sleeve, since his cat fell asleep on it, and he didn’t want to rouse him. Now, cats are treated just as well as other humans.

In conclusion, cats are great pets and companions with fascinating history, personalities, and anatomy, and you should get one if you’re responsible enough. Have a great rest of your day, and happy holidays.

CITATIONS:

Wikipedia  

Youtube