Feline-a New Appreciation For Feline Friends

The Compendium May 1996

Spring Feline Focus

Small Animal

EDITORIAL

A NEW APPRECIATION FOR FELINE FRIENDS R. Lee Zasloff, PhD Center for Animals in Society School of Veterinary Medicine University of California, Davis Davis, California

T

he history of the relationship between humans and domestic cats is enigmatic. Cats have been immortalized in music, art, and literature; but they also have been relentlessly abused. No other domestic animal has suffered so turbulent a relationship with humanity. Ancient Egyptians valued cats for their rodent-catching ability and gave them a prominent place in their religion. However, the rise of Christianity led to dramatic, unfavorable changes in beliefs and attitudes about cats. Linked with sorcery and devil worship, cats and their human friends were persecuted for centuries. Today, cats are experiencing a surge of popularity. Signs of cat mania abound: cat books, greeting cards, magazines, mugs, jewelry, clothing, and infinite varieties of feline paraphernalia surround us. The number of cats being kept as pets has increased dramatically in recent years. At present, more than 59 million cats are living in nearly 30 million American households.1 Cats are the only small animal species to have veteri-

nary practices devoted exclusively to their care. One quarter of the practices affiliated with the American Association of Feline Practitioners are feline-only practices. How can we explain the phenomenon of feline fanaticism? Many people prefer cats to other types of pets because they are easy to care for, provide loving companionship, have wonderful personalities, and are beautiful and interesting to watch. Many cat owners report feeling comforted by their pets and that talking to or playing with them can help dispel feelings of anger. They consider their cats to be members of the family, talk to them, share food with them, and believe that their pets are sensitive to their moods. When cat owners were asked what emotional benefits they get from their feline companions that they do not get from their human companions, the most common responses were “unconditional love and affection,” “undivided loyalty and devotion,” and “total acceptance.”2 Recent studies indicate that a loving rela-

tionship with a feline friend can contribute to human health and well-being. Australian cat owners scored significantly better than did nonowners on a measure of general psychological health. 3 Elderly people who adopted a cat and kept it for at least a year reported greater life satisfaction and were also less lonely, less anxious, and less depressed.4 These cat owners also showed significant improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In a longterm geriatric hospital, cat mascots helped patients to become more responsive and reality-oriented.5 The cats were a source of pleasure and amusement for the patients and created a more tranquil, homelike atmosphere on the ward. Perhaps cat owners have the best of all worlds, having a pet

that is easy to care for and provides years of affection, comfort, and entertainment. With their interesting personalities, playfulness, and silly antics, cats can help to fulfill important human emotional needs for companionship, nurturance, and feeling needed. Despite their reputation for independence and aloofness, feline friends show affection by greeting us when we come home, sitting in our laps, sleeping with us, and seeking out our company in many ways. For all the joy and laughter they bring to our lives, we need only to love and care for them and appreciate how amazing they are.

REFERENCES 1. Pet ownership and use of superstores on the rise. Anthrozoos 8:111, 1995. 2. Zasloff RL, Kidd AH: Attachment to feline companions. Psychol Rep 74:747–752, 1994. 3. Straede C, Gates RG: Psychological health in a population of Australian cat owners. Anthrozoos 6:30–42, 1993. 4. Karsh EB, Turner DC: The human–cat relationship, in Turner DC, Bateson P (eds): The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour. New York, Cambridge University Press, 1988, pp 159–177. 5. Brickel C: The therapeutic roles of cat mascots with a hospitalbased geriatric population: A staff survey. Gerontologist 19:368–372, 1979.