The Compendium May 1996
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 relation-
ship between humans
and domestic cats is
enigmatic. Cats have been immor-
talized in music, art, and literature;
but they also have been relentless-
ly abused. No other domestic ani-
mal has suffered so turbulent a re-
lationship 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 dra-
matic, unfavorable changes in
beliefs and attitudes about cats.
Linked with sorcery and devil
worship, cats and their human
friends were persecuted for cen-
turies.
Today, cats are experiencing
a surge of popularity. Signs of
cat mania abound: cat books,
greeting cards, magazines,
mugs, jewelry, clothing, and infi-
nite varieties of feline parapher-
nalia surround us. The number
of cats being kept as pets has in-
creased dramatically in recent
years. At present, more than 59
million cats are living in nearly
30 million American house-
holds.1 Cats are the only small
animal species to have veteri-
Spring Feline Focus
nary practices devoted exclu-
sively 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 phe-
nomenon 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 com-
forted by their pets and that talk-
ing 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 sensi-
tive to their moods.
When cat owners were asked
what emotional benefits they get
from their
feline com-
panions that
they do not
get from their
human com-
panions, 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 own-
ers scored significantly better
than did nonowners on a mea-
sure 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 de-
pressed.4 These cat owners also
showed significant improve-
ments in blood pressure and
blood sugar levels. In a long-
term geriatric hospital, cat mas-
cots helped patients to become
more responsive and reality-ori-
ented.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
Small Animal
that is easy to care for and pro-
vides years of affection, comfort,
and entertainment. With their in-
teresting personalities, playful-
ness, and silly antics, cats can
help to fulfill important human
emotional needs for companion-
ship, 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, sleep-
ing 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 appreci-
ate how amazing they are.
REFERENCES
1. Pet ownership and use of su-
perstores on the rise. Anthro-
zoos 8:111, 1995.
2. Zasloff RL, Kidd AH: Attach-
ment to feline companions.
Psychol Rep 74:747–752,
1994.
3. Straede C, Gates RG: Psycho-
logical health in a population of
Australian cat owners. Anthro-
zoos 6:30–42, 1993.
4. Karsh EB, Turner DC: The hu-
man–cat relationship, in Turner
DC, Bateson P (eds): The Do-
mestic Cat: The Biology of its
Behaviour. New York, Cam-
bridge University Press, 1988,
pp 159–177.
5. Brickel C: The therapeutic roles
of cat mascots with a hospital-
based geriatric population: A
staff survey. Gerontologist
19:368–372, 1979.