10 Benefits of Having a Cat in Your Life

You probably don’t have to tell any of the 37 million American households with at least one cat that there are benefits to having one. To them, it’s self-evident. Their feline companions bring joy and unconditional love into their lives, and the animals get food, water, and shelter critical for survival in return.
Our relationship with cats goes back about 12,000 years. Interestingly, scientists aren’t sure why cats became our pets. Humans didn’t do much for them other than provide the grain that attracted rodents. Some suggest felines chose to live alongside us instead of us reaching out to them. Nevertheless, our cats have provided many apparent and not-so-obvious benefits.

The 10 Benefits of Having a Cat in Your Life

1. Stress Relief
   Few things are more calming than curling up with a sleeping kitty. Their quiet purring is almost like white noise with its soothing sound. Many pet owners find welcome stress relief in cuddling with their cats. Many cats are easygoing, making it easy to feed off of their calm demeanor. It’s probably one of the best benefits of having a cat in your life. When you need to relax, your kitty is there to help.
2. Good Listeners
   This benefit applies to cats and dogs. Both animals are excellent and non-judgmental listeners. They’ll listen to your litany of complaints about work, and they won’t snicker if your singing is off-key. That makes kitties great companions for people who live alone. You’d be surprised at what a presence they have. You surely won’t be so lonely anymore with a cat in your home.
3. Low-Maintenance Companions
   One of the best things about owning a cat is the fact they are low-maintenance. You don’t have to take them outside to do their business, you can go out with your co-workers without worrying about having to rush to get home, and they keep themselves relatively clean thanks to long self-grooming sessions. None of this means that felines prefer to be alone, because they usually don’t. However, you have the freedom to be a bit more spontaneous and lax, which you wouldn’t have with a dog.
4. Pest Control
   Pests attracted wild felines to places where humans developed agriculture because it was easy pickings for them. Cats are still very much in touch with their wild side. That includes hunting for rodents and other pests. Many people find the occasional mouse in their home during the winter, so you won’t have any major problems with a cat on patrol.
5. Relatively Long-Lived Pets
   Cats are relatively long-lived. Their sleeping habits and the safety of indoor living are what make it possible for our feline companions. Many cats live 15 or more years. Pet owners understand the tremendous grief of losing an animal companion. While none of us get out of here alive, some may find comfort in having a pet that can provide many years of joy.
6. Independent Lifestyle
   Dogs are like toddlers in many ways. While some can entertain themselves, others need constant attention to keep them out of mischief. Cats are a different story. After all, they sleep roughly 16 hours daily. They’ll probably adjust their schedule to meet yours, and they’ll happily spend time looking out the window at birds and other wildlife, making their independence a gift.
7. Quiet Animals
   Dogs can be loud despite how lovable they are. A pup barking near your ear can put the sound in the harmful category at around 110 dB. That’s about the same level as a leaf blower. Cats are nowhere near as noisy. That makes kitties a suitable choice for apartment dwellers since it’s unlikely your pet will disturb your neighbors. Purring and meowing surely won’t bother anyone.
8. Entertaining Companion
   There’s a good reason why people share cat videos. They’re so darn entertaining! Kittens and adults are sure to make you smile and laugh. Felines are naturally curious. Some take it to the next level and make anything a toy. We marvel at their energy and ability to make the most mundane things fun. They are an excellent reminder to enjoy the little things in life!
9. Teaching Children Responsibility
   Inviting a cat into your home offers a great way to teach children the responsibility and commitment of owning a pet. Your child can help with feeding your kitty, all while turning it into a math lesson about measuring out their food. You should also teach them to be gentle with your pet and have respect for animals. However, we recommend supervising playtime with the little ones and ensuring they know to give the cat their space.
10. Improved Mental Health
    Pet ownership can offer profound mental health benefits. It can help alleviate depression and stress. The overall effect is an improved sense of well-being. The benefits exist with both dogs and cats. These findings are truly valuable, especially given the consequences of lockdowns and social isolation during the 2020 pandemic.