Discussing Why Cats Are Such Amazing Companion Animals
People often say that dogs are a man’s best friend. But what about cats? Cats are truly amazing companion animals for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re a cat person and you already know this. Maybe you’re a dog person and you don’t see the allure of cats. Or maybe you’re an all around pet lover that embraces all kinds of pets! No matter where you stand on the matter, this article will cover everything you need to know about cats and what makes them the purr-fect companion.
History Of Cats
According to Scientific American, cat domestication goes back as far as 10,000 years ago in an area called the Fertile Crescent. Today this area encompasses that of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, northern Kuwait, southeastern Turkey, and western Iran. The Fertile Crescent is especially significant as it is the first place in human history to have settled farming and domesticated crops. As a result, many historians regard this place as the birthplace of agriculture and irrigation.
With agriculture came many unexpected visitors. This includes cats. All modern day house cats can trace their lineage back to the Felis Silvestris (also known as the Wildcat). These feline ancestors were naturally attracted to the early human settlements of the Fertile Crescent because of their agricultural prowess. The people of the Fertile Crescent would grow crops and then need to store them for prolonged use. These caches of stored crops attracted mice and vermin which subsequently attracted Wildcats.
Usefulness Of Cats
To the people that lived among the Fertile Crescent, 10,000 years ago, wildcats were seen as a blessing. As an ever growing agricultural society, they quickly had a rodent and mice infestation on their hands. Wildcats were natural born predators that would hunt and kill mice and other vermin among these settlements. Wildcats also quickly learned that they could live off of the leftover scraps of human food. This was a symbiotic relationship for both people and wildcats which laid the foundation for cat domestication.
What Makes Cats So Great
Aside from dealing with mice and vermin, what makes cats so amazing? There are a lot of reasons why cats make great companions, but we will break them down by category.
Cuteness:
One of the most noticeable things about cats is how unbelievably adorable they are! They are insanely cute both in appearance and in personality. Cats and kittens possess an undeniable persona of cuteness that they often use to their advantage.
Playfulness:
Cats are remarkably playful even in their later years in life. Both cats and kittens love to play with toys, with each other, and with their owner. Their curious nature only amplifies this degree of playfulness as they are easy to engage with and entertain. Most cats can make a toy out of something as simple as a piece of string or a cardboard box.
Cuddliness:
If you like to cuddle, then you need a cat in your life. While not every cat is necessarily a cuddler, most of the cats we’ve handled here at Cool Cats Cat Sitting love to snuggle. According to PetMD, the average cat spends roughly 12 to 16 hours a day sleeping. So no matter what time of the day you normally sleep, your cat will most likely be up for cuddling.
Therapeutic:
Lastly, cats make excellent companion animals because of how calming and relaxing they can be. Being able to pet their soft fur, having them nuzzle up against you, and listening to the sound of them purring is truly therapeutic. If you lead a stressful life or deal with regular anxiety, then you should have a cat in your life. They will help keep you calm and at peace at the end of every day.
The Importance Of Companionship
Both cats and humans are social creatures. We don’t just want social interactions, we need them. Cats depend on people for basic essentials like food, water, and a clean litter box. But, they also need love. Loneliness is a very real thing that many of us experience whether we realize it or not. Cats can help us with things like depression, loneliness, and increase our capacity to love. Cats make truly wonderful companions as they will fill your life with happiness, meaning, and love.
More Articles Like This
We hope you found this article informative and that it helps shed some light on what makes cats such wonderful pets and companions. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to share it with others on social media. For more articles like this, check out the blog section of our official Cool Cats Professional Cat Sitting website.
