Why People Like Cats
Cats are an enigma, why would anyone love an animal that is so otherwise useless?
Cats have been kept as pets for thousands of years. When we think of it, it is quite odd to have a relationship with an animal that would seem to have no purpose. While a dog can hunt, herd sheep, or guard us, we have to feed our pet cat and provide for its needs with very little in return.
Cats do provide some service in that they control the mice and rat population, but it was only in recent years that they have been valued for such use. When the plague was sweeping Europe cats were being exterminated, thought to being linked to witch craft. Their value was unseen and rats were allowed to carry the plague far and wide.
To keep cats only for the purpose of controlling mice and rats is not the same thing as “liking” a cat simply because it is a cat. There are many people who keep cats indoors only – with no interest of having them kill a mouse. These cats are liked, loved, and adored, simply for being felines.
People love cats because they are playful, slinky, creatures who have endeared themselves to us. The cat could easily fend for itself on its own, but has charmed its way into having us feed it. They provide little warmth on our beds in the winter and take up the best sunbeams in the summer.
Although dogs have very distinct breeds, often with distinct and specialized purposes, cats are more, or less, the same – sure some are bigger, fluffier, or even a certain color, but cat breeds are not as unique or diverse as dog breeds. Yet when you encounter somebody who has a purebred cat they will insist their breed is special and unique.
People love cats even though most cats are messy, shedding cat hair throughout the home, spitting up an occasional furball, leaving dead mice in random places, and scattering cat litter all over the floor. Perhaps it is their indifference we enjoy.
Some people think of cats as being feminine, but really cats are more like little boys, doing whatever they please and not really caring what others think. Perhaps this is why people like cats. They are not whiny little girls, scared of spiders and snakes, they are not grown women, burdened by baggage and trying to please everyone, they are not adult men proving their machoism, and bragging about how much money they make or what kind of truck they drive – cats are little boys who want to play in their sand box, terrorize the neighborhood, and come home to a warm dinner and cuddle.
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Published in: Pets
MaxBuceo | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
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ceegirl | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
I don’t like cats because of their eyes.
papaleng | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
I like my cat when he keep Meowing.. It brings some sort of attachment between the two of us.
Jimmy Shilaho | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
I didn’t know you are a cat person.
Starpisces | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
very well written, Brenda.
I don’t like cats actually, in fact I’m afraid of them, especially their eyes, but I love cats pictures and cartoons very much as they are very cute.
Anuradha Ramkumar | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
Welcome catgirl, I’m scared to look at the eyes of the cats.
CHIPMUNK | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
A wonderful piece of info, but I am not cat lover
Minister Marlene | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
I like this article. You touched on key reasons why people love cats. Cats are not trying to please anyone and don’t give a hoot what anyone thinks. I love this about them. They are also very cute and playful. They definately love to bask in sunlight. They do hog up the sunbeams.
Sceptical Thinker | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
I have to say that I have a cat and do love cats in general. I think its a case that you own a dog but the cat owns you. Their attraction I feel lays in there independence. I particularly empathised with your final paragraph that does sum them up. One point, we should not judge an animal simply on its usefulness to us as humans they have intrinsic value in their own right, as I hope we do not judge individual humans on what they can or can not do for us. Great read as always interesting and informative
Melody SJAL | Apr 24, 2011 | Reply
Interesting points. Enjoyed reading it.
Purnomosidhi | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply
I love cats because they are simply my friends.
eddiego65 | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for the wonderful articles. I like cats, but sad to say, we are not allowed to have pets in our apartment. Most often, i will visit my aunts, who have filled her place with nearly a dozen cats.
Val Mills | Apr 26, 2011 | Reply
Our cat runs our household, he knows we love him and pretends to love us in return, especially round meal time or when there is a knee to sleep on.
ittech | Apr 26, 2011 | Reply
good arrticle but i donot like cats
CA Johnson | Apr 27, 2011 | Reply
I used to have a cat, but it got killed and I have not had a cat since. They are really adorable when they are kittens. I do like how they are good for catching rodents.
Wrath Warbone | Apr 28, 2011 | Reply
My best friends have all been cats. Sometimes, when I am laying on my bed feeling sad, my cat lays down beside me and puts his paw on my hand for a long time.
John Arthur Beaman | Apr 29, 2011 | Reply
Cats are like souls – completely worthless, but nice to have on cold winter nights.