Cats As Companion Animals
The domesticated cat of today has become the pet of choice for a people worldwide. In the USA alone, over 30 million domestic pet cats now eclipse the dog population by several million, with the gap growing ever wider each day. Why has the domestic cat gained in popularity? What is it about this puzzling creature that appeals to so many of us?
The answer to this certainly has to be the enigmatic personality of the cat. Highly intelligent, it possess an arresting combination of personality traits not found in other houshold pets. Captivating and quiet, self-sufficent amd poised, fastidious and athletic, the cat is seldom needy. It loves company but is also content to pass the time alone for hours at a stretch, making it an ideal pet for single people especially, let alone a family.
This independent streak, a result of felines in nature living alone by themselves, gives the domestic cat a slightly haughty attitude to life; for them, the sun does not rise and fall with people, although they appreciate what we have to offer, thank you very much.
The capability cats have to survive, with or without humans may perhaps be one of the main reasons why we like them so much. Pets (or people) that are emotionallly needy tend to become increasingly irritating after some time; cats are delightful egocentric creatures. This, combined with their beauty, grace, dignity, and ease of care, make them always desirable.
We also like cats for their ability to say, ” we are your roommate, not your servant,” and for their capacity to realise the value in taking a nap. And who does not appreciate the cat’s clean, fastidious nature and built-in toilet training? Try getting a Schnauzer puppy to use a litter box!
There’s no doubt that cats enjoy all the attention we humans lavish upon them, though they will, given the chance, deny it. They are content to remain with us because we love them and look after them, but if we disappeared from the Earth anytime soon, it#s more than likely that the cat would mourn somewaht, meow some, and then continue with the business of finding a furry morsel to eat – all the while laughing at the millions of rudderless, doleful dogs aimlessly wandering about, wondering what to do next.
If my life experience is anything to go by, closer ties have been developed with a cat when an owner doesn’t smother the animal with unwanted affection at times when the cat just wants its own space. As my grandmother used to say: “You’ll never own a cat but one may choose to live with you”.
