Sounds crazy to me, but there are definitely some people out there who just don’t understand why people like cats.
They don’t get why people have them, why many spend countless hours looking at hundreds upon hundreds of pictures of them – and the videos!
Why so many viral videos of cats? Not only are these people not cat people – they don’t even get cat people.
While I firmly believe that individuals like this likely just haven’t had enough in-person exposure to cats in general, and haven’t met the right cat in particular– for those who just don’t get the cat love at all and simply want to understand what’s possessed people with what seems to spread like an infectious disease, here are some reasons behind why people love cats.
Picture from post The Pesky Houseguest: Weiss the Cat
Why Are People Cat Obsessed? 14 Reasons That Help Explain Cat Love
Reason 1
They are gorgeous.
You can’t deny this, even if they’re not your thing.
Reason 2
Kittens are irresistible levels of cute. I dare you to meet a kitten in person and try not to smile.
No human can resist that level of charm, even if they’re not a fan of cats in general.
Reason 3
Pretty much every cat is quirky and odd.
Cats quite frankly have such unique personalities from one another that we “cat people” find it hard not to treat them like tiny humans.
Reason 4
When they’re being antisocial and don’t want your attention, it sort of just makes you crave their attention more.
Reason 5
And then when they do want your attention – for a cuddle or a belly rub or anything along those lines – it makes you extra happy because they chose to come to you on their own.
Reason 6
Scientific research actually shows that cats lower the risk of heart attacks in their owners.
As Laura Moss put it, “A 10-year study at the University of Minnesota Stroke Center found that cat owners were 40 percent less likely to have heart attacks than non-cat owners.”
We don’t know exactly why this is, it may be down to the fact that they purr, but either way, seems like there’s some sort of biological reason why we love ’em.
Reason 7
Cats do really strange things out of the blue, like knock things off of tables because they just can’t resist, trying to squeeze into cardboard boxes that should be pretty near too small for them to fit into, sitting in clothes and laundry piles we’ve yet to put away.
These odd behaviours they seem to collectively exhibit are both hilarious and endearing to cat people.
We-who-are-charmed by cats find it quite easy to amuse ourselves watching cats doing these things for hours – doesn’t matter if we’re watching them through videos online or in the flesh.
Reason 8
People who obsess over cats – well our obsession is like an addiction with us.
Cats to us are like chocolate to a chocoholic – a perfect way to get a quick and easy fix of happiness.
Though luckily for us cat-o-holics, there’s no downside of weight gain.
Reason 9
Many of the things people love about having dogs – the fact that they come to greet you at the door, that they desire your attention and love, that they are happy to have you around, and that they will go out of their way to seek out your cuddles and affection – are true of cats, too.
You may think most cats just mind their own business the whole day and don’t bother with humans, but those of us with cats know better – they’re not as anti-social as their reputation suggests.
Reason 10
Those of us who house cats in our own home have the enormous benefit of rarely ever feeling truly alone.
It’s one of the reasons I don’t think I could live without a cat anymore.
Even when they don’t engage (as they obviously don’t as much as dogs do), they’re like a constant warm presence in your home that’s comforting and not overwhelming or demanding.
Reason 11
Cats are really cathartic to talk to.
Honestly, you may think cat people are crazy when they talk to their pets, but don’t knock it ’til you try it.
Reason 12
Even when cats are being absurd levels of annoying (it happens, it really does), they are often so irritatingly cute while doing it that we forgive them in an instant.
Reason 13
And of course, when cats misbehave and do things they know they shouldn’t (again, it happens!),they’ve got that same irritatingly cute charm working in their favour that makes a cat person want to immediately forgive them.
Reason 14
Cats and other pets can feel like children who never grow up, which is nice if you like some of the many things involved in having a child: having someone who needs you, who wants your attention and affection, who’s life is made better and happier by your existence and care.
You may not care for these things, but there are many of us who love the feeling of being needed and appreciated.
Other Reasons People Love Cats?
There is absolutely no way I’ve listed every reason why people love cats above.
If you’ve thought of an explanation or two for cat love I’ve left out, please leave your thoughts in a comment down below!
I think it’d be great to end up with a massive list of reasons why cat lovers love cats.
Maybe it will help those who simply do not understand our cat-obsessed ways to wrap their heads around our sentiments, even if they don’t feel the same themselves.
And of course – wouldn’t it be nice if our explanations went so far as to encourage someone to “risk” spending a little more time with cats – just to see what all the fuss is about?
Who knows, maybe we’d even have a few converts on our hands. 😉
