The Joy of Cats

Respond to this Friday Faithfuls challenge by writing anything about cats, or you can write about whatever else you think might fit.  Pet lovers usually identify as being cat lovers or dog lovers, with that being their domesticated animal preference, but dogs have owners, and cats have staff.  More than a third of American households’ own dogs, while only a quarter own cats, so dogs may be more popular.  There are many reasons why people like cats as they don’t bark like dogs, and they are not as hyperactive.  Cats tend to have longer lifespans than dogs, with their average life expectancy being between 13-17 years and some may live past 20.  Cats don’t need a walk or a bath.  Cats purr when they’re happy making them purrfect housemates and the ultimate cuddle buddies.  While it’s often associated with contentment, cats can also purr when they’re in pain or distress.  You are 68 percent more likely to fall asleep with a warm cat next to you, aww isn’t that sweet!  Humans find cats to be cute because we identify them with babies, having large eyes and being playful.  Cats are able to keep common pests away from your home.  Cats can form strong attachments with people that have established themselves as their primary caregivers.  Cats love to climb and jump and it is fun watching them chase after a laser pointer.  Their curiosity often drives them to do silly things, and they can have fun playing with almost anything, making just about any situation entertaining as they bring laughter into the home.  It is thought that cats may help prevent allegories, as adolescents that are exposed to them in their first year of life are 50% less likely to develop a pet allergy latter on.  Cats are able to recognize and differentiate their name from other household pets’ names.  Cats learn very quickly how to use a litter box, without any formal training.

Cats often have a positive effect on their owners’ mental health and having a cat can help you to manage stress.  Owning a cat may help to reduce your heart rate, the risk of stroke and heart disease and lower blood pressure, because of the vibrations of their purrs.  Cats have a reputation for being aloof, but they do have ways of showing their affection.  Cats spread pheromones; chemical messages unique to cats every time they rub against you.  By rubbing on you, your cat can greet you, marking you as theirs, and they will pick up scents from your day.  Cats may also rub against you more often during a heat cycle, or when they want food or attention.  Cats show their love in many ways including cuddling, kneading, trilling, rolling over onto their back and even licking!  It’s normal for cats to lick their owners, as they do this to show affection and be sociable, or they could even be marking their scent or trying to groom you.  If your cat follows you around, this is a clear sign your cat likes you, or at least it knows that you are the one who is going to feed them.  Cats are known for being independent animals, so if they choose to sleep near you or on your bed, it’s often a sign that they feel comfortable and safe in your presence.  Cats typically communicate by using a meow to ask to be fed, or a whine to ask for attention, and they will hiss to tell you to back off.

Cats seem to have a special little motor inside them that get started when they are relaxed and enjoying something.  You’ll hear this rumbling, vibrating noise when they are content, usually while you are petting them.  Bunting is when your cat rubs their cheeks on you or an object, head-butts you with their forehead, or rubs their head on you.  This is a way for your cat to leave his scent on you, marking their territory.  Cats have a need to scratch things.  They do it to express emotions, like excitement or stress, to mark objects with their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a good stretch.  Scratching leaves both scented and visual marks of ownership to a cat.  Kneading behaviors hearken back to ​kittenhood.  This massaging action, named for its resemblance to kneading dough, is repeated rhythmically.  Kitten paws knead against the mother cat’s breasts to induce milk to be released.  Adult cats continue this behavior when they’re feeling most relaxed, content, and loved.

Cats are born with hunting instincts.  They enjoy catching everything from toys to mice and they often share their bounty with those they love.  Cats will present you with a special gift, as a way of showing they love you, but I do feel sorry for the tailless lizards that they bring me.  Cats typically sleep up to 16 hours a day, but being predators, cats need a lot more rest than humans so they can remain alert and focused.  Cats don’t really sleep for long stretches, but they do take frequent catnaps that last 15–30 minutes.  Catnaps allow your cat to rest his body and mind without falling into deep sleep.  These catnaps allow felines to still react quickly to potential threats in their environment.  Cats are very independent, which makes them easily misunderstood, but you can learn a lot about them by reading their body language noting the position of their ears, head, tail, and butt, as they all convey a message to other cats and to owners as well.  When a cat assumes the “elevator butt” pose (chest lowered, hinny-raised position), this is an expression of trust and a signal inviting you to keep on petting them as they like the way you are doing it.  A cat that holds their rear end up in your face is also showing a sign of affection.  The motion and position of a cat’s tail can tell you many things including if they are scared, excited, relaxed, or annoyed and an upright tail signals their love.