Cat lady, a pejorative term typically used for single women who have cats. I fit into Urban Dictionary’s top definition of cat lady in many ways. Oreo and Bellatrix do bring me happiness. I take pictures of them, talk and write about them, and proudly carry a kate spade new york Cat’s Meow Lottie Satchel. My family, friends, and coworkers would jokingly, albeit somewhat serious, call me one.
There will always be certain stigmas about cats and the people who have them and the cat person versus dog person debate. I’ve always wondered why western society has labeled women with cats as “crazy cat lady” while our counterparts with dogs don’t have an equivalent characterization associated with them? To be clear, the point of this post is not to say owning a cat versus a dog makes you more or less intelligent, caring, introverted or outgoing. It’s not to disparage dogs or “dog people”, I want a dog one day. It’s to express why Oreo and Bella mean so much to me and give people more understanding of why so many people choose cats as pets and maybe break some of the stigmas.
Studies show many great things about cats, they have a lower carbon footprint than other animas since they consume more fish over red meat and corn based food. Cats are good for your health, they lower your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke by 30% and being introduced to them at a young age lowers a risk of developing allergies and asthma. They lower stress levels and help you cope. Even watching videos of cats on youtube supposedly lowers negative emotions, while increasing energy and positive feelings according to a study done by the Indiana University Bloomington. My cats can tell when I’m upset or sick and won’t leave my side, a type of loyalty many people don’t associate with cats since they are known to be aloof. Simply petting them and hearing them purr, knowing they wait by the door for me to come home makes me feel better.
The University of Bristol did a study that showed a cat owner is more likely to have a college degree than a dog owner. Another study of 600 students showed that cat owners are typically more “introverted, open-minded, sensitive…. non conformists and scored higher on intelligence than dog owners”. Do I think these supposed personality traits of cat owners are true across the board or that I’m more intelligent than someone that owns a dog? No. Cats are inherently easier to take care of than dogs, they don’t need to go out and socialize like a dog does. I believe many of these statistics about a cat person versus a dogs person’s “personality traits” comes down to people’s lifestyles.
Individuals who choose cats as their companions can work longer hours and not have to worry about the attention a dog needs. Cats are independent. I can work a 10-14 hour shift at work or even go away for a weekend and know as long as their water fountain is full, litter box is clean, and extra food is out, my cats will be fine. A dog owner has to worry about a walking a dog, making sure they get enough exercise, they need more space and typically are less happy in an apartment than a cat is. These are many of the reasons why I have cats instead of a dog, I don’t believe it’s fair to keep a dog in a crate while I’m at work or text my roommate and ask her to take the dog out because xyz came up. My animals are my responsibility and I don’t like putting the burden on others. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a Shetland Sheepdog or a Golden Retriever. However, cats are right for my lifestyle right now. Plus, I think my roommate may murder me if I brought home another animal, I swear she spends half her life with a lint roller and yelling “Oreo”.
I grew up with cats, my parents were busy and we didn’t have a yard for a dog. It was extremely difficult to lose the cats I had growing up, since they became part of the family, a part of me, a part of my heart. Every cat has a different personality like people and you learn their idiosyncrasies, meows, routines. When you lose them you feel like you lose a part of yourself. Taking on a pet is a courageous thing, you’re agreeing to spend a lot of money and time with an animal, learn them, love them, give them the best life you can give them for as long as possible while trying not to be selfish.
After two years, I know Oreo and Bellatrix well. We have our routines, I know their noises and their wants and they seem to know mine. Their bond with each other amazes me. I’ve never seen two cats so close. They know how to get on my nerves (and my roommates), but they also know how to be deeply loving and comforting when I need them to. So yes, I’m a cat lady and proud of it.
Until next time, cheers. 🥂🍾
Coffee, Cats, & Champagne 