“Cats are so cold and unaffectionate!”

I’m sure you’ve heard this before. But, consider: that is incorrect.

Yes, cats have different personalities than dogs and cats’ personalities are very diverse, but almost all cats are loving and affectionate. My cat, Audrey, sits on my lap when I get home from school, meows if she can’t find us, and “catches” stuffed animals to bring down to us. She loves to sit on strangers’ laps and purr. 

Pretty much every cat I’ve had in my life (and I’ve had a lot) has been affectionate. Some didn’t like to sit on laps or cuddle, but they all showed us that they loved us. 

But where did the idea of a cold and uncaring cat come from? According to BBC, this image may come from the way cats were domesticated. Cats took a lot longer to domesticate than dogs. They began to domesticate themselves, by feeding off vermin in early humanity’s grain silos. Eventually, the bond between cats and humans grew. This idea may also be because of the way cats express their love. Dogs will show all of their emotions and seem to be much more expressive and easy to read. While a dog will let its tongue hang out, jump on you, and lick you, a cat will be more subtle. Cats show emotion through their ear and tail movements, eye blinking, and purring. It takes a little bit of time to understand what a cat may be telling you, but once you get a hang of it, it’s easy.  

For example, my cat, Rusty, isn’t as obviously affectionate as Audrey. He runs from strangers and isn’t outwardly very friendly. But, if you know cats, you’ll know that when he slowly blinks at you, purrs, or sits down next to you, he is content with your existence.  

I will admit, cats aren’t as bonkers about their owners as dogs are. But that’s a good thing for some people. You don’t have to deal with a cat following at your heels, constantly asking to play, or wanting attention 24/7, and you don’t need to walk them every day! 
Cats are also much more cost effective than dogs. Cats are, on average, smaller, so they eat less food. Dogs usually need more toys, as well as crates, leashes, collars, and obedience classes. You need to take dogs to the groomers or wash them yourself. Cats have a built-in sink AND brush, in the form of their tongue! They don’t like to roll around in mud or things that smell, unlike most dogs. You only really need to brush cats and clip their claws, which is simple.  
Cats are such unique and interesting animals. From their spiky tongues, which look very cool up-close, to their third, inner eyelid, and their retractable claws, cats are extremely fascinating animals. It is still unknown where a cat’s purring comes from in their body! Cats have a free-floating collarbone, only connected by muscle tissue, which allows them to squeeze through very small spaces. 

If you do decide to get a cat, go to a shelter rather than a breeder. Around 1.4 million cats are euthanized in shelters every year. Please spay/neuter your cats and get them their needed shots. Cats are a big responsibility, even if they are easier than dogs, so you need to put effort into keeping them happy and healthy.  

Please consider adopting a cat the next time you’re in the market for a pet