Although most cat owners profess to love their pets, there exist a marked line between those who consider their cats as one of their “properties” and those who treat them as one of their beloved family members. When some say that they love their cats and refer to them as their “baby” you should understand that they mean it literally. Human bond with cats can be as strong as any other relationship and many treat their cat just as they would their children, worrying about their well-being and happiness.
Many think that only women who live alone or a recluse treats cats as their “children”. It is true that such a human-animal bond is often symbiotic in nature and one can debate to no end as to who benefits the most. While the cat thrives on the constant attention showered on it, the nurturer glows with the knowledge that there is someone who loves them unconditionally. However, it is also true that there are numerous intelligent and vivacious women, both married and single, who proclaim to love their feline friends.
Just visit one of the many online forums dedicated to cats and you will see how diverse people meet not just to share their experience with their cats but also to strive for their betterment. From the proud announcement of a new trick that their cat learned to numerous questions regarding each symptom exhibited by their cat, you can witness their unabashed love for cats.
It is common knowledge that dogs play a major role in therapy and that their service as companion animals is unparalleled. However, therapy cats are also favored more and more in nursing homes and health care facilities. When a visitor is accompanied by a cat it brings joy and comfort to the patient. You will be amazed how relaxing and comforting a few minutes of petting a furry kitty can be. It helps to relieve stress and tension, which is being utilized in health care facilities and can equally benefit the rest of us. Cats have been found especially helpful in therapy of Alzheimer patients in helping to stimulate their forgotten memories. Therapy cats are usually characterized by a placid temperament and are very tolerant of new environments than “regular” cats.
It’s not just women and patients who bond with cats, macho men too are susceptible to the irresistible kitty charm. Cats easily find their way into the hearts of children who should be taught to love and respect not just cats but all animals, as they are the future guardians of all creatures that share this world with them.
Human bond with cats is better demonstrated when the human or the cat is suddenly deprived of the others company for various reasons. Humans have come up with many ways to cope with a permanent loss, one of which is the belief that our departed companions are waiting in an ethereal plane until it is our time to cross over together.
Cats on the other hand express their mourning by exhibiting symptoms like loss of appetite and interest in their everyday activities, lethargy and drastic changes in their temperament. It is quite safe to say that the human-feline bond is unique and one that should be treasured.
It’s definitely not just women and kids. My boyfriend gets quite attached to my foster cats and had a glass of scotch “in mourning” when a pair he’d come to really love were adopted.
I am a cat socializer who works in cat rescue and cat adoptions. I have interacted with hundreds & hundreds of cats and their humans. There are many cat owners who do not understand what a rewarding relationship they can have with their cat. Luckily though there are even more cat adopters who have come to realize just how deep of a bond they can have with their cat and how fulfilling that can be for both them and the cat.