The Top 10+ Reasons to Own a Cat

1. Cats are Intuitive

   They know instinctively when their humans need more attention or would like to be left alone. A cat will rub against your legs or jump in your lap for cuddling to take your mind off your problems. Rubbing a cat's silky soft fur is an excellent stress reliever.

2. Cats are Playful

   Dangling a yarn strand for your cat and watching as they chase the string can help keep human's from sitting in front of the television frozen for hours at a time. When the household cat decides to catch a mouse and puts it out of its misery that is also a plus.

3. Cats are Entertaining

   
   
   Watching my cat chase my Jack Russell/Chihuahua and then jump from his reach, when he turns to catch her is great fun. She will also hide in the bathroom and watch him through the crack of the door to see him round the corner looking for her. Then she will jump on the bathroom sink and pounce on his back as he runs by.

4. Cats are Clean

   Not only does she groom herself, but she grooms everyone else in the household too. She loves to sit on the dog, as he is attempting to nap, and give him a good washing.She lets you know when her kitty litter needs scooped, and has never missed the box.

5. Cats are Smart

   Not only does she know how to out wit the mice and the dog, but she is very intelligent about what to eat and not eat. She knows she is a carnivore. She is not like the dog and will not be tricked into eating unhealthy food.

6. Cats are Good at Relationships

   My dog will try and pester me into petting him whether I am in the mood or not. Not my cat. They instinctively know when to pester, and when not. She knows that she can jump in my lap, but she knows not to jump in my husband's. She knows who is receptive to cuddling, and who is not. They interact with humans in a way that is consistent with the human's behavior.

7. Cats are Good at Teaching Children Empathy

   Gail Melson, PhD states in his book Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children “The Opportunities today children have to learn about nurturing others increasingly may be coming from the pets in their homes”. He quotes many studies that have been conducted showing higher social skills, sensitivity, interpersonal trust, and ability to nurture coming from those children who were raised with a cat or dog. The bond that takes place between a child and their pet is very special and assists them in their social growth, self esteem, and maturity.

8. Cats are Agile

   They have been known to fall out windows from seven floors and survive. They can leap and climb tall trees and usually find their way back down to safety.

9. Cats are Good Hunters

   Not only should the mouse beware, but also the cricket, frog, bird and various other creatures.

10. They Have a Healing Purr

    
    
    Paula Peterson interviewed the president of Fauna Communications Research Institute, Elizabeth Muggenthaler. Ms. Muggenthaler is a research scientist and a bio-acoustic specialist who has done studies on various animal sounds. Her findings are absolutely amazing, and demonstrate that the frequency of a cat's purring is good for healing muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. It is also thought to be beneficial for other types of healing and stress relief. More information can be obtained from logging in at Fauna Communications Research Institute.

11. They are Loyal

    There have been many stories of cats that have tracked their human families down and joined them after being separated. There's a one liner that goes something like “A dog has an owner, but a cat has a staff” but it is not really that simple. There is lot more to a cat than its aloof reputation.

So next time your cat jumps in your lap and wants a little attention stop and think about what a wondrous creation a cat really is.