I always say that whoever doesn’t like cats has clearly never owned one before. Cats are often stereotypically labeled as selfish and evil and are pushed to the side. I have had at least one cat in my household for my entire life and I could not disagree with these labels more. I love cats, and I believe that they are the perfect pet for many reasons. If you are interested in owning a cat, or if you are trying to convince a skeptic that cats are in fact a great pet, I encourage you to keep reading!
- they’re low maintenance
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Cats are one of the lowest maintenance animals you could have as a pet. They need minimal (if any, if you are planning on getting an older cat) training, they clean themselves and can use a litter box, and they don’t need to be routinely exercised. Cats are very independent, and you could go to school or work full time without having to find someone to watch the cat during the day. Cats are also very quiet, so if you are worried about a loud house or you live in an apartment or dorm they are a perfect solution.
- they provide social and emotional support
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If you’ve never had a cat lie on you while purring, you’re honestly missing out. A study showed that cat owners were 30% less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke over a 10–year period than non-cat owners. Cats are the perfect option for an emotional support animal, which are now allowed in UMass dorms. Cats are sometimes wrongly assumed to be unattached to their owners, but they make very good friends. Many people report that just having a cat around makes them feel less lonely.
- They’re entertaining
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There are so many viral cat videos online for a reason, they’re very entertaining! I know that I could watch my cat for hours. I feel like cats are always getting into things they shouldn’t. You don’t need a lot of space to play with cats, and you also don’t need toys. Cats easily entertain themselves and will play with anything from a piece of yarn to a cardboard box. Now there are even apps to download on your phone and computer to entertain cats.
- They need homes!
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There are always an abundance of cats in shelters at any given time. Owners of cats who give birth to kittens typically will give the kittens away — for free more often than not. These owners may post on social media that they are looking to give away the kittens. So, if you are interested in getting a cat this way, I would suggest finding a local Facebook group to join. Basically, finding a cat in need of a loving home is easy and requires little to no money or effort.
The list goes on and on when it comes to the benefits of owning a cat, but these are the major points I’ve found to be most important when considering whether or not to get one as a pet. I hope this article either confirmed your decision to own a cat or changed your mind about them!
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