Why Having a Cat Is So Satisfying

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If you’ve ever lived with a cat, you might already know their companionship comes with all kind of benefits, from head-bumps and cuddles that make you feel loved to delightful antics during playtime that make you laugh out loud.

Some people consider cats less cuddly than dogs, but that’s not necessarily true! Socializing a cat early in life will have a big impact on the affection they show—and the emotional support they provide!

Cats make great companions for anyone at all—and the benefits of living with a cat are supported by scientific research, which we’ll cover below. Read on to learn why cats make such great pets and discover where you can hang out with a cat before making the leap and adopting one!

Reasons Why Cats Make Great Pets

Both cats and dogs make great pets, but the right pet for you will depend on your own needs and personality. Here are some reasons why a cat might make the most ideal companion for you:

• They’re low(er) maintenance: Cats don’t need regular outdoor walks or obedience training sessions—unless you want to give clicker training a try! Cats can spend several hours alone if they have food, water, and a clean litter box. (That said, cats are social creatures who miss you when you’re away, so avoid leaving them alone for longer than a day.
• They’re quiet: A single dog bark can reach up to 100 decibels (db), the equivalent of a subway train! Meanwhile, the loudest a cat can get is up to 76 db, just above the decibel threshold for a normal conversation. So, even a chatty cat won’t hurt your ears or bug your neighbors.
• They’re fairly independent: While cats are affectionate, most don’t need constant attention. Many cats are more like chill roommates: happy to enjoy your company but just as content to nap or window-watch alone. They’ll let you know when it’s time for attention with a leg swipe or playful headbutt.
• They live a long time: Dogs tend to live 10 to 13 years, but the average cat’s life expectancy is higher 12 to 15 years. And well-cared-for cats can live even longer—sometimes into their 20s. Lifespan depends on each individual cat, but you can generally expect a healthy kitty to stay by your side for a long time.
• They provide pest control: Cats are the original all-natural pest control system. Even the smell of a cat can repel rodents, and most resident kitties will chase away any mice or rats who do show up.
• They cost less on average: Upkeep for a healthy adult cat costs between $700 and $3,495 per year. This is cheaper on average than the cost of caring for a dog, which ranges from $1,390 to $5,295. Cats eat less food than large or medium-sized dog breeds, clean themselves, and tend to have lower vet bills and pet insurance premiums.
• They live in smaller spaces: A large dog breed can feel cramped in a small apartment. But the average cat only weighs between 8 to 10 pounds, which means they can fit easily into most living spaces!

Sviatlana Barchan via iStock

Benefits of Living with Cats

Need even more reasons to welcome a feline friend into your life? Here are a few of the many ways having a pet cat could help you mentally and physically.

Health benefits

Living with a cat can offer some practical benefits, but it can also have health benefits! Keeping a cat in your home can lower your risk of diseases and influencing your body’s immune system and healing responses.

• Lower risk of heart disease: A 2009 study found that people with cats had a lower risk of all types of heart disease and stroke. Researchers believe that spending time with an affectionate cat can help promote calm and lower stress, which could, in turn, lower blood pressure.
• Allergy prevention: If you have young kids, having an indoor cat when they’re young could keep them from getting allergies later in life. A 2011 study found that teens who lived with an indoor cat from birth to their first year were much less likely to have cat allergies at age 18.
• Healing purrs: A cat’s soothing, motorboat purr doesn’t just feel comforting—it may help your body heal! Cats purr at the same vibrational frequency used to soothe pain and wounds and promote bone growth and fracture healing.
• Immune-boosting cuddles: Cats can sense when you’re sick and may come to offer comfort and support. Cuddling or playing with a cat also boosts your immune system, giving your body the encouragement it needs to feel better.

Emotional benefits

When it comes to quality of life, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Cats can help you feel better by helping you regulate stress, offering companionship, promoting a regular routine, and more!

• Stress relief: Just touching a cat can help you calm down. Petting a cat can directly tap into your nervous system to lower levels of stress hormones and raise happiness hormones.
• Companionship: Loneliness can make you feel isolated. But a small 2024 study found that fostering a shelter cat eased loneliness and gave older adults companionship. In fact, 95% of older adults in the research group later adopted their cats.
• Lowering depression risk: Both the added companionship and the lowered stress levels of keeping a cat may help prevent depression. People who live alone or have recently lost a partner can especially benefit from a cat’s cuddly presence.
• Maintaining a routine: A cat’s presence can act as an emotional anchor and help you stick to a routine, especially since cats often have their own internal clocks for their preferred bed and mealtimes. Cats can also make your daily routine feel brighter, since there’s nothing like coming home to a furry little friend who missed you!
• Autism support: A 2020 study found that cats can have a positive impact on kids on the autism spectrum. Kids whose families adopted a cat showed less separation anxiety, better attention spans, and higher empathy. Plus, parents in the study bonded with the adopted cats, too!
• Making friends: Having a cat can help you meet new people! Cats can help you make new friends on the internet, give you a conversation starter for acquaintances, and provide an opportunity to join local cat lover groups and meetups in your area.

How To Interact with Cats Before Adopting

Convinced that bringing a cat to home could change your life for the better? Head over to your local shelter or rescue’s website to see if any cats catch your eye and schedule time for a meet and greet!

Not sure if a cat would make the right pet? These steps can help you learn more about cats before you make up your mind!

• Cat sitting: Offer to watch a friend’s cat while they’re out of town, either by dropping in or letting the cat stay in your house. If you enjoy it, becoming a cat sitter on Rover could help you turn hanging out with cats into a lucrative side gig.
• Visiting cat cafes: More and more cities have local cat cafes where you can grab a drink or a snack while petting and playing with the cats. Many cat cafes have partnerships with local shelters, so you can adopt a cat if you fall in love.
• Volunteering: Local shelters always want more helping hands to feed and play with cats waiting for adoption. Try calling yours and ask about volunteering in the cat section.
• Fostering: If you want to try out keeping a cat in your home, check with your local shelter or cat rescue about fostering a cat or kitten. Maybe you’ll bond so well that you want your foster kitty to stick around for the long haul!