The Purrfect Companion: the Fascinating Bond between Humans and Cats

I recently captured this picture of Luna in gorgeous winter sunlight in one of her favorite spots at home. If you follow my writing and social media accounts, you know how much she means to me; I love this small cat more than words can express. While I type these first lines, I see her quietly leaving the room; it's probably time for another nap for her; and time for a blog about her for you.

Eleven years ago, I first laid eyes on her in a "cat hotel" in The Hague, and at that moment, I knew she was meant to be a part of my life. And as I've grown to know her better, my affection for her has only deepened. I know I'm not the only one; photos of her on Twitter always gain likes and retweets. But my love for Luna is not unique; it's something that many people can relate to. There is just something about living with cats that makes life better.

Another one taken of Luna on her favorite spot

Our history of living with cats

The history of living with cats is a long and fascinating one. Cats were first domesticated in the Near East, a process that some researchers estimate started up to 12,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians had a great reverence for cats, and they were one of the first societies to keep them as pets. Even accidentally killing a cat was punishable by death, and when cats died, they were mummified with a grand ceremony.

But even before this time, cats were valued for their hunting abilities and were likely first kept by people to control vermin populations. Thousands of years later, this quality in cats made me think about taking a cat; the mice I found in the house I had just moved into weren't the pets I preferred. So when Luna arrived, she proved to be an outstanding hunter in her first year; the mice never returned. Since then, she has taken retirement and spends her days admiring various wildlife, whether it is a spider constructing his web or a fly buzzing around the ceiling.

Where is that fly?

Over the centuries, cats have continued to be beloved companions. In medieval Europe, they were valued for their ability to keep rodents at bay, and in the 19th century, they became popular as pets among the upper classes. Today, cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, with millions of people keeping them in their homes. According to the American Pet Products Association, approximately 94.2 million cats are pets in the United States alone. 

Cat obesity

Unfortunately, an Association for Pet Obesity Prevention clinical survey found in 2018 that 59.5% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. I'm glad Luna is a modest eater who won't join their ranks. It's a worrying number since obesity is a disease that leads to the development of many other conditions that can shorten a cat's life, like diabetes, certain types of cancer, metabolic disorders, and respiratory and heart diseases.

I assume it is likely related to the food habits of their owners in the country where 42 percent of the adult population is obese. A decade ago, no state in the U.S. had an adult obesity rate at or above 35 percent. Now that number is 19 states, led by West Virginia, Kentucky, and Alabama, while the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Colorado have the lowest adult obesity rates. 

Here is another one of Luna and another one of her favorite spots. She likes to sit on a higher level, perhaps to keep a better overview of what's happening. So, what about living with cats makes them so appealing? For one, they are incredibly low-maintenance. Unlike dogs, cats don't require daily walks or constant attention. (Luna is content to spend most of their time sleeping, grooming herself, and occasionally playing). This means that even people with busy lives can still enjoy the companionship of a cat.

Cats are also incredibly independent. They don't need to be constantly entertained or exercised and are happy to spend time alone. This makes them ideal pets for people who travel frequently or have demanding jobs.

Tree climbing (Stockholm, 2016)

Cats are lovely

But perhaps the most appealing thing about living with cats is their playful and loving nature. Cats are incredibly affectionate and have a way of making their owners feel loved and valued. They often follow their owners around the house, rub against their legs, and even bring them "gifts" such as dead mice or birds.

Cats are also amusing to have as pets. They are natural hunters and love to play with toys that mimic prey, like that fake mouse that Luna plays with. This makes them incredibly entertaining to watch, and it also helps to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

My love for Luna is just a small example of people's love for cats. Their low maintenance, independent, playful and loving nature make them an ideal pet for people of all ages and lifestyles. They have been a companion to humans for thousands of years and will continue to be beloved pets for many more to come.

And just while I type these last lines, Luna calls me, and that's the story for some other time: I'm her loyal servant, jumping up whenever she needs anything. It makes me think about how cats would write about living with humans. Perhaps they got the best deal of our cohabitation. 

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Global wildlife populations declined almost 70% in less than half a century

Crossing the Pyrenees on foot

Notes:

https://www.tfah.org/report-details/state-of-obesity-2022/

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_obesity

https://petobesityprevention.org