The best companion someone could ever have is a friendly little fur ball. With two beautiful eyes and a tiny body covered in smooth fur, a cat is the best way to brighten up the mood. Bringing a cat into one’s life can bring an unconditional love that many long to have.
When tough times come your way, owning a cat can be an incredibly rewarding feeling. Owning a cat allows you to relieve stress from a long day and calm your nervous system. While cats are very independent, many grow a love for their owners and owners find that spending time with their furry little creature can be an outlet for fun and play.
In addition, cats make great pets whether you are living in a small apartment or a big house. They are low maintenance and low cost compared to dogs, who need constant attention. Cats tend to be very independent and can perfectly adapt to entertain themselves while you are off at work. Coming back home, you can always expect to be greeted by the unconditional love and affection held within your cat.
Not only can cats make great companions, but they also do so much to improve mental health.
As Kira Renteria (HBHS student) said, “I think my cat has become, in a way, my savior, and has given me a much more positive outcome in my life.”
When struggling with mental health, cats have a way of providing us with love, laughs, and most importantly, comfort when no one else is around.
Cats can also provide a form of Pet Therapy. As it has been proven, pet therapy is especially helpful when it comes to recovering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Many can find themselves agreeing with this, such as Victoria Garcia, a cat owner of many years. “My cat has given me a reason to hold onto hope, because now I have to take care of my cat, Michael. He gives me a sense of purpose and makes me feel so much better about who I am as a person,” said Victoria.
An anonymous source answered a series of questions dealing with what life is like living with a cat. When asked about their preference they said “I prefer cats due to how low maintenance they can be, along with how small their size is, softness, and wonderful personalities.”
As the anonymous user’s cat brings an impact on their life and mental health, they share how their cat has ”definitely helped me learn how to be a kinder person. My cat has almost positively impacted my mental health.”
With the comfort held by a small little animal, a calming presence can be extremely helpful to one. While they never cease to entertain us, cats can reduce our chances of cardiovascular disease by 30%. With the physical comfort of purrs, cuddles, and affectionate kneading that they bring, cats can give us a sense of hope.
As another set of questions was given to Logan Perry, a student at HBHS, he said, “A cat can be much less needy [than a dog], and it’s so much more of a rewarding feeling when your cat wants to be with you.”
While many may deny cats to be such loving animals and believe they hold bad reputations, the opposite can be shown as they grow a very strong love for their owner. As Professor Kristyn Vitale, from Unity Environmental University, noted in her research, it was shown how cats only spend more time with people who are attentive to them.
As that time spent together grows, so does the love and attachment that cats hold for their owners. While you show your cat love and affection, they too have their ways of showing it. While you lay in bed, you can likely trust the comfort of your new companion to take over your lap. Whether it be shown with purrs, head bunts, (or best of all) “making biscuits,” you can take this as one of the many signs that your cat loves you.
Many benefits come with cat ownership: the unbreakable bond, new companionship, and improvements in mental health. As you sit back and relax after a hard day of business, you and your companion can sit by one another and find pleasure in enjoying each other’s company.
