6,070,000,000 - this is the number of results the Google search engine gives for entry "cat" (at present day).
This includes 1,090,000,000 videos about the adorable creatures.
But why do humans love cats?
Stating the obvious, cats are:
- adorable
- playful
- fit and well balanced (something for which I envy cats the most)
- showing affection in the cutest way
But cats bring more benefits than that! The primeval benefit of keeping cats is their hunting skill. This was the main reason for humans to domesticate cats in the first place. Cats kept crops free of rodents, and therefore keeping their and the humans' bellies full.
However these hunting skills may become less desirable and more troublesome in areas free of pest. Most commonly in those places cats' victims are birds. Therefore remember to always ensure your gorgeous cute cat killer wears a bell all times (check it regularly as they are very skillful and might remove it magically).
Another great benefit of a cat's company is their health benefits. Anthrozoology (the study of human-animal interaction, which encompasses aspects of medicine) has revealed that a pet's presence in people's life improves mental health, especially in those with depression or post-traumatic stress, aiding diabetes control, and cutting down hospital stays. It reduces childhood allergies and school absenteeism in children. Caring for pets can promote independent living among the elderly, and help rehabilitate offenders.
