Happiness is pettable – of cat-lovers and cat egos

According to the «Verband für Heimtiernahrung» (Engl.: pet food association), in 2022, there are around 1.85 million cats living as pets in Switzerland. Almost three out of ten Swiss households (link in German) own a cat – making cats the most popular pets in Switzerland. And the number is growing. The same goes for Germany. In 2021, there were a total of 16.7 million feline companions spread over 26 per cent of households in Germany. For comparison, in 2020, there were 15.7 million cats; in 2019, only 14.7 million. In Austria, almost every second household owns a pet – most often a cat.

Cat-lovers – anarchists and machos?

Why are cats such popular pets? After all, they do have a certain reputation – stubborn, even downright selfish, and strangers to the concept of humility. I’ve heard it said that a society consisting of dogs would be a dictatorship. And one consisting of cats? Anarchy! Now, I’m a staunch anarchist. It all began 13 years ago, when I was handed a starved-to-the-bone ball of fluff named Wagner. He had been fished out of a trash can. As a token of his gratitude, the little bugger loved to bite my toes and ankles. He’d also run away on a fairly regular basis and enjoyed putting mice in my handbag. Did he have a nickname? Sure did! Sekkanto. You see, in Vienna, we have a word for the act of pestering someone – «sekkieren».

Because our feline friends allegedly don’t like to be alone, Wagner was soon joined by tomcat number 2. And then queen number 1. Tomcat number 3 wasn’t one for pack life. He first occupied a pet shop – no joke, we ended up on the radio and in a magazine because of it – and then he sauntered over to a neighbour who was happy to be his loving subordinate. He resides there to this day.

Sometimes, I visit him and find myself pondering his macho hormone balance; a recent study from Japan from «Azabu University» in Kanagawa did, in fact, find a link between hormones and social behaviour in animals. Cats with low levels of testosterone and cortisol are more tolerant in interactions with their peers.

Cats love people – when it tickles their fancy

Maybe this has something to do with the fact that my bundles of fur have always been outdoor cats – and accordingly free-spirited. Even my cat Flauschi (Engl.: fluffy) – the most docile of the bunch and a real home girl – often refuses to listen when I call her. Maybe I don’t always get the tone right. A research team led by Frenchwoman Charlotte de Mouzon recently studied how cats respond to the pre-recorded voice of their owner and that of a stranger. The team had both groups say the cat’s name – once in a tone of voice directed at the cat, and once in a tone of voice directed at another adult human. Similarly to when talking to toddlers, adults tend to change their tone of voice when talking to pets.

The researchers documented with which behaviours the cats reacted to the recordings. Their findings in a nutshell: the coaxing voice of the cat’s personal can opener is always preferred to the unknown one – but, sometimes, the cat can’t be bothered to respond anyway. It’s not yet known if that’s for a specific reason or just because. Frankly, they probably don’t always feel like dancing to our tune. And I love that.

Purring – good vibrations for everyone

But that’s not all I love about cats. It’s their mixture of grace and madness; their sated, proud demeanour paired with childish schemes and cuddle attacks that thrills me so. They’re in tune with themselves – true self-care professionals. They sleep soundly and a lot. They like to eat. They enjoy every minute of their existence. They love us, but they love themselves a touch more. Maybe that’s because they understand that you can only be there for others if you also take good care of ourselves.

Cats are so much more than just the rulers of the internet. In their role as fluffy house shamans, they enrich our lives. They help us to become and stay healthy, both in the conventional medical as well as spiritual sense. Their purring – which is, in my humble opinion, the best sound in the world next to the hum of the sea – lowers blood pressure and has a relaxing effect. This promotes bone healing. According to a study by the «Fauna Communications Research Institute» in North Carolina, the ideal purring frequency lies between 27 and 44 hertz. The researchers concluded that fractures heal faster in cats than in other animals – precisely because of these fabulous vibrations.

Self-preservation instinct and self-care – what can we learn from cats?

So, what are cats, really – minxes or divine beings? Magical creatures or drama queens? Probably all of the above. The only thing that’s certain is that we still know precious little about them. They spread throughout Europe through Viking ships and domesticated themselves of their own free will, but became full-on co-inhabitants to us much later than dogs.

Dogs were selected to perform specific tasks (hunt, herd, etc.). This was never the case with cats. Except for the mouse-hunting thing, maybe. There was also no need for cats to undergo a genetic selection process, because they are and always have been perfect. Perfect hunters, perfect cuddlers, and equipped with a strong self-preservation instinct. Cats are beautiful, smart and hilarious, not to mention they’re a joy to look at and touch.

But I’ve never been one for either-or limitations. I’m more the crazy gal you’ll see greeting almost every dog on the street. Or whispering to the poor leashed buddy at the supermarket not to worry; that their owner will be back soon. I could never decide between cats and dogs. And I couldn’t help anyone else decide, either. Its not without reason that cats and dogs are the most popular pets in German-speaking countries, with the latter solidly in second place.

So, anarchy or dictatorship? Well, there are two sides to each and every one of us: a cheerful and a serious one; rebellious and conformist; liberal and conservative; taking and giving. I suppose true freedom is not having to decide each time – which is quite feline by nature. I say bring on the four-legged fluff balls, be it the purring or yipping kind. Happiness is pettable.