Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world. There are many reasons why cats are popular pets, ranging from their cute and adorable appearance, their unique and diverse personalities, to their benefits for the health and happiness of their owners.
Many people like cats because they are cute, spoiled, and can be loyal friends. But did you know that cats have several unique qualities that other animals don't?
Reasons Why Cats Are Popular Pets
The following are some of the reasons why cats are popular pets:
Cats have a cute and adorable appearance
Cats have smooth and soft fur, big and shining eyes, tiny noses, and standing ears. Cats also have facial expressions that can show various emotions, such as happy, sad, angry or surprised. Cats can make people smile or laugh with their cute and adorable behavior, such as playing with balls of yarn, chasing things, or sleeping in strange positions.
Cats have unique and varied personalities
No two cats are the same, each cat has different characteristics and traits. There are cats that are friendly and spoiled, there are also cats that are quiet and independent. There are cats that are active and like to play, there are also those that are lazy and like to sleep. There are cats that are intelligent and curious, there are also those that are stupid and ignorant. A cat's personality can be adapted to its owner's personality, thus creating a harmonious and enjoyable relationship.
Cats have benefits for the health and happiness of their owners
According to several studies, keeping a cat can provide benefits to the owner's physical and mental health. Cats can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve the immune system, reduce depression, increase self-confidence, and increase social interaction. Cats can also be loyal friends and entertainers for their owners, especially for those who live alone or feel lonely.
What Makes Cats Different from Other Animals
The following are some of the things that make cats special and different from other animals.
Cats can hear ultrasonic sounds
Cats have very sharp hearing abilities, they can even hear sounds that humans or other animals cannot hear. Ultrasonic sound is sound with a high frequency that exceeds the limit of human hearing, which is around 20 kHz. Cats can hear sounds with frequencies up to 60 kHz, which is useful for detecting prey such as mice or birds.
Cats can see in the dark
Cats have eyes that are very sensitive to light, because they have a reflective layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. This layer reflects light entering the eye, so cats can see better in dark conditions. Cats also have pupils that can adjust their size to the light, from a round shape when it's light to a vertical shape when it's dark.
Cats can emit odors from their mouths
Cats have scent glands in several parts of their bodies, including their mouths. These glands produce pheromones, which are chemicals used to communicate with other cats. Pheromones can convey information about a cat's identity, status, mood and mating readiness. Cats release pheromones from their mouths by opening their mouths slightly and lifting their chins, which is called the flehmen response.
Cats can move their ears in all directions
Cats have muscles that allow them to move their ears in any direction, even independently of each other. Cats can move their ears around 180 degrees, which helps them to pick up sounds from various sources. Cats also use their ears to express their emotions and intentions, for example by raising their ears when they are happy or lowering their ears when they are afraid.
Cats can lick their own fur
Cats have rough, spiny tongues, called papillae. These papillae function to clean the cat's fur and skin from dirt, parasites and unpleasant odors. Papillae also help cats to maintain their body temperature, because the saliva that sticks to the fur will evaporate and cool the cat's body. Apart from that, licking fur is also a way for cats to groom themselves and calm themselves.
Those are some things cats don't have. By knowing these things, you will probably admire and love your cat even more. Don't forget to always care for and pamper your cats so they stay healthy and happy.
