If you are a pet owner, or thinking about becoming one, you’ve possibly thought about adopting a cat. There are many reasons to adopt from an animal shelter that may not be obvious at first glance. Read on to find out more about five reasons why cats can make a great addition to your home!
Cats can be great companions in small spaces
Cats tend to be independent and don’t need to have a large space to be content. This can make them an ideal companion for condo or apartment living. Keep in mind that they still need to have a space of their own, and a few furnishings such as a cat tree, wall shelves or bridges can be a purrfect addition! These help to give your cat room to explore, exercise, and view your space from different vantage points.
Adopting a cat helps to reduce the number of homeless animals in shelters across the country
When you adopt a cat, that means there is room for another pet in the shelter. Not only is your cat now in their forever home, it opens up another space in the shelter to help another homeless kitty.
Your new cat will also likely be spayed or neutered, be up to date on vaccinations, and the shelter staff will already have been providing some attention to health issues that they may have experienced prior to arriving in the shelter. Your adoption fees will go toward those expenses, as well as the care that the supportive shelter staff provide.
Adopting a cat can be good for your health*
Cats can reduce stress levels? Some studies e suggest that when humans pet cats, it helps release oxytocin, which helps reduce stress. A study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology concluded that, “A decreased risk for death due to MI (myocardial infarction) and all cardiovascular diseases (including stroke) was observed among persons with cats.”
And, as any cat owner may tell you, the joy of having a cuddly cat on your lap, purring as you spend time together, is truly a pick-me-up amidst whatever may be going on in day-to-day activities.
Cats can be very low-maintenance pets
Compared to their canine counterparts, cats don’t need to be taken out for daily walks, or let outside to take care of business. And, cats can be left home during the day as they are quite independent. However, they still do have unique needs. For example, they need to have their litter boxes cleaned frequently, have fresh water available, and have opportunities to play and burn off energy.
We do suggest that if you’re going to be gone longer than 24 hours, that you consider getting a cat sitter, boarding, or having a neighbor check in with your cat. Cats do form strong bonds with their owners, and they will feel anxious to variations in routine.
They are tiny pets with large personalities
Researchers did a study on the various personality traits domestic cats have. They determined that there are five:
- neuroticism
- extraversion
- dominance
- impulsiveness
- agreeableness
By fully understanding your cat’s personality, you can help create an enriching environment that is as unique as they are! This also helps to understand their behaviors as you’re getting a keen insight into their world from their own perspective. Read more about the 5 Feline Traits.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that there are more cats in homes than ever before. If you’re looking to adopt a new pet into your family and have been considering getting a cat, we would love to meet them!
*This article is not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice.
Image credit: Pexels
Works referenced in this article
Heiser, Christina. “Forget What You’ve Heard. Being a Cat Lady Is Healthy.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 11 Apr. 2018, www.nbcnews.com/better/health/forget-what-you-ve-heard-being-cat-lady-healthy-ncna789676.
Qureshi, Adnan I, et al. “Cat Ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases. Results from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study Mortality Follow-up Study.” Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center, Jan. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317329/.
“Study Describes Pet Cat Personality.” American Veterinary Medical Association, www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-11-01/study-describes-pet-cat-personality.