Cats as pets

Why cats make good pets

1. Cats take care of themselves. Did you ever notice how often you will see cats grooming themselves? After eating, being in rain or snow, and after a tussle with another animal, cats will take a few moments to lick a paw and use it to wipe their faces, ears, and other hard-to-reach places. You'll never have to bathe your cat. She can handle the job herself. They also can feed themselves, if left outdoors long enough. From field mice to birds, most healthy cats are unlikely to go hungry when natural outdoor life forms abound.

2. Cats are fun and funny. Most are quite curious. They poke their noses into paper bags, climb under the hood of a car, or sidle up to strangers to have a look, or rather, a sniff. They enjoy climbing to high places, such as trees, gutters, and walls. They have been known to climb up the side of an above-ground swimming pool for a look, and nearly drown after falling in. Kittens will chew their tails, chase a thread, or run after a ball. They love to have fun, and amuse us in the process.


3. Felines make good friends. Cats seem to have that sixth sense that tells them when something is wrong in their owner's life. If you feel down, frustrated, or irritated, your kitty may come running to wrap herself around your leg or jump into your lap and nuzzle your chin. She will cuddle alongside you for a nap, feeling secure beside the one person in the world she can trust. Cats typically bring their kills home, and you will likely find the bodies of their victims in the yard or on the porch as trophies of the night's hunt, offered to Caesar as a share of the spoils.


4. Cats don't cost much. Inexpensive kitty food, occasional veterinarian visits for shots and neutering, perhaps a collar and feeding bowls, and kitty litter are all you may need. An empty spool or toilet paper roll make great toys that cost nothing. There are no grooming costs, carpet messes to clean, or obedience schools for enrollment. Cats simply exist to be what they are.


5. Some cats seem to have nine lives. They land on their feet after a fall and find their way home after being lost. Stories abound of cats that were locked in a basement or trapped in a newly constructed house wall for days and yet surviving to return to their masters. Certain cats can even co-exist with dogs or other cats, despite their seemingly spoiled nature. There are many attractive breeds or mixes, like calicos, that cat lovers can't resist.