Today’s domesticated cat has become the pet of choice for a people around the world. In the United States alone, more than 30 million domestic pet cats now eclipse the dog population by several million, with the gap growing ever wider each day. For what reason has the domestic cat become so popular? What is it about this puzzling animal that so many of us find appearling?

The answer to this definitely has to be the enigmatic personality of the cat. Highly intelligent, it possess an arresting amalgamation of characteristics not found in other houshold pets. Intriguing and quiet, self-sufficent amd poised, athletic and fastidious, the domestic cat is rarely needy. It appreciates company but is also content to go it alone for hours on end, making it the perfect pet for single people especially, let alone families.

This independent streak, a result of felines in the wild living alone by themselves, gives the household feline a slightly haughty attitude to life; for them, the sun does not rise and fall around people, although they will take us when they can get us, thank you very much.

The capacity with which cats survive, with  or without humans may perhaps be one of the main reasons why we like them so much. Emotionally needy pets (or people) tend to become increasingly irritating after some time; cats are beguiling egocentric creatures. This, combined with their dignity, grace, beauty, and ease of care, always makes them dsireable.

Humans also love cats because they say, ” we are your roommate, not your servant,” and for their capacity to recognize the value in taking a nap. And who does not appreciate the cat’s clean, fastidious nature and built-in toilet training? Good luck getting a Schnauzer puppy to use a litter tray!

There’s no doubt that cats enjoy all the consideration we humans give to them, though they will, given the chance, never confess it. They are content to remain with us because we love them and look after them, but if we vanished from the Earth anytime soon, chances are the cat would feel sorrowful for a (short) time, meow some, and then get on with the business of finding a furry little meal – all the while mocking the millions of aimless, doleful pooches aimlessly wandering about, trying to gigure out what to do next.

If my life experience is anything to go by, closer bonds have been forged with a cat when an owner enables the cat to decide for itself when and where it wants affection from its owner. As my grandmother used to say: “You’ll never own a cat but one may choose to live with you”.