Cats are the most graceful of creatures. One might even call them elegant. No wonder then a lion, that belongs to the cat family is called the king of the jungle. The collective noun for lions is a pride of lions and that more than clarifies any doubt about the cat family. Some people confuse pride with a superiority complexity. That is not always necessarily true. Cats are extremely proud animals. But that doesn’t mean they are any less loving. When treated well, they can be just as loyal. All cats including pets are fiercely independent. One will seldom find a cat waiting around for someone to bathe it. They are experts at cleaning themselves. They know how to fend for themselves and be content with themselves. Having cats as pets is sometimes an even more convenient option than dogs, merely because the task of having to walk a cat doesn’t exist.
Their playful character is another reason why they are taken as pets, although they too are prone to bouts of lethargy, much like us humans, and that is what makes them so much more relatable. They are often kept as pets at home because they make sure to rid your house of any vermin or rat infestations. A cat for companionship is another common reason adopted for having them as pets.
They will not interrupt someone in their times of solitude, but somehow they just know when they are needed. Cat owners will vouch at how sharp and intuitive they are about when their love is needed. Cats specifically have an uncanny ability to empathize with sick and dying people. In fact, there are certain hospitals across the world, that have pet cats exclusively for this purpose. There have been instances where cats have been able to foretell just hours prior to a sick patient’s death.
The elderly are especially fond of cats as pets because of their relatively calm temperament. Sufficient supply of food, a litter box, a place to sleep and a scratching post is all that a cat needs to settle in comfortably in a house. They barely require space or constant attention and are almost stealthy quiet, so if there are little children in the house one doesn’t have to be constantly fussing about noise or divided attention. Even as the kids grow older, the cats do not harm them even if they get a little too playful. And then there’s that undeniably soft, cuddly furry body that is absolutely huggable.
Their relatively small size makes it easier to for one to hug them. Cats were first domesticated in Ancient Egypt and are a fairly constant feature in Egyptian paintings as early as 7500 B.C. At some point of time, cats were also worshiped by humans. Some people even joke, that because of this history, cats continue to expect the same treatment. Their agility, flexibility and sharp reflexes are widely acknowledged. They can jump from one level to another, higher and farther than is seemingly possible, with amazing ease and grace. One can’t even hear the sound of it landing.
An interesting fact about cats, is that even if they jump or fall from heights, they always land on their feet, never flat. It is enamoring to watch a cat hunt or even walk with such poise. Cats have a rapid breeding rate; hence there has never been a cause for them to be endangered. Although many members of the cat family, in the wild continue to be added in the list of endangered species, it is heartbreaking. Tigers, lions, leopards, etc are rapidly reducing in numbers as they are hunted for their beautiful skin, their teeth, etc just to satisfy the whims of unapologetic humans.
In spite of existing laws against poaching, the practice continues relentlessly as there is not enough done to enforce the same. Whereas at the same time cats are shunned, from being considered an equal to any other animal, especially as pets, owing to the misinformation among the masses about their nature. The dog vs. cat debate is never ending when it comes to owning them as pets. Each has their own unique traits as pets, their own pros and cons so there really is no comparison. Both make equally good pets it only is a matter of preferences, which differs from person to person. There is no dearth of breeds in cats as well, although not as widely known as those of dogs. From Siamese twins to tabby cats, these breeds exist in varying sizes and temperaments, and one can take a call as they please. The widespread rumor of a cat having nine lives is well known. That just reiterates the fact that it will always be around when you need it. And with nine lives, it might just outlive you. Jokes apart, one must never rely on what one has heard of why not to have a cat, because cat owners genuinely believe in their cat’s dedication towards them, and their love for their cat. Once one understands a cat’s bare minimum expectations from you and life, one starts to enjoy and even cherish their company further. It may not be able to protect you from intruders, but rest assured, it will never leave you alone.