Owning a cat is simply one of life’s better pleasures. Cats are unique creatures with highly distinctive tastes and personalities. Studies show that cats are excellent stress managers, blood pressure reducers, and generally provide good entertainment and companionship. With their relatively independent nature, cats make great pets for people who prefer subtle company over the bounding enthusiasm of a dog. Despite the common belief that cats are less of a responsibility than dogs, they still require care, making them just as much of a responsibility as any other animal.
True, cats don’t generally need to be walked in the rain, taken to obedience classes, or kenneled for a weekend away. However, they still need constant care and vigilant ownership. The least responsible thing a person can do with a cat is allow their feline friend outside, un-neutered and un-spayed, to go off and produce more kittens. If you’re going to get a cat, it should be sterilized. This isn’t because people shouldn’t witness the miracle of birth or revel in the new life of kittens; it’s because nearly 2 million unwanted cats and kittens are euthanized every year. There is no responsible reason to add to the number. If you find homes for all your kittens, that’s an entire litter that remains at a shelter awaiting euthanasia. Those are some pretty sickening statistics, especially when it costs about $100 or less to get your cat spayed or neutered.
The Growing Popularity of Cats as Pets
Despite these statistics, cats are rapidly becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Cat lovers have found places for their cats at work, at play, and definitely at home. Once thought of as homebodies, cats are now accompanying their owners to a multitude of life’s events. They are extremely adaptable and often welcome new challenges, provided there is a competent owner nearby to oversee the entire process.
The carefree attitude that a cat can take care of itself is slowly starting to dwindle in the United States. Even just ten years ago, the number of un-inoculated barn cats, street cats, and outdoor cats was unreasonably high. The number of cats not receiving medical care when necessary was just as high. People had cats to help with rodent problems but didn’t repay their servitude with the basics of regular shots and veterinary care. Though the numbers of such cases are now dropping, the situation still persists. There is a re-education of American cat owners in full swing, bringing this crisis into full view for many newfound cat lovers.
While it may be an obvious statement, it bears repeating: cats are not dogs, and they can’t be treated in the same manner. Humans who are particularly used to their interactions with dogs often find themselves confused when their cats respond with aloofness and nonchalance, especially when they attempt to create the same standards they would with a dog. Dogs require leadership; cats require a high level of thought when it comes to training, discipline, and even interactions. Cats think differently than dogs, and to truly enjoy a cat in your life, you need at least some understanding of how and why they do the things they do.
Cats can be trained—well trained, in fact. And while they can often be bribed into doing favors using treats, training a cat requires diligence, persistence, and, most definitely, patience. Cats often have a mind of their own, regardless of their human’s opinion. But then again, that is why we love them the way we do, isn’t it?
If you’re considering entering the world of cat ownership, take a moment to ask yourself what you’re expecting from the experience. Many would-be cat owners realize too late that their passion for cats is largely based on myth. There are ample myths surrounding cats, their personalities, and their habits. Cats haven’t always gotten a fair shake. Their behavior is often more of a response to their humans’ behavior than something inherently ingrained in them. If you leave your cat alone most of the time and don’t interact with it, your cat is likely to become aloof. However, if you spend time getting to know your cat, playing with it, and paying attention to its needs, it will become a much better companion.
Nobody can deny the absolute delight a friendly cat can bring into the lives of humans. Their antics are one-of-a-kind and hysterical, often driving a room full of adults into gut-busting laughter. In the right mood, cats can be quite the entertainers.
Owning a cat is like owning a chronic surprise in your back pocket. Dogs are predictable: when you come home, they wag their tails; when you get their ball, they bounce with anticipation. Cats, on the other hand, are continuously responding to any given moment with a wide variety of antics, moods, attitudes, and, of course, whimsical behaviors that endear them to our hearts. Those who truly believe in cats and cat ownership as a way of life find that without understanding their behaviors, humans are robbed of something primal within themselves.
