Understanding The Human Bond With Cats

While every cat owner proclaim their love for their furry friends, some just consider cats as their "property" and only some truly consider and treat their feline pets as one of their family. When some people refer to their cats as their "baby", they mean it in the true sense and shower their cats with the same love and attention that they give their children. One can safely say that the human bond with cats can be as precious and strong as any other human bond.

Most assume that cats can be treated as "children" only by a recluse or by women who lead a lonely life. While it is true that such intense human-animal bond is most often symbiotic, one cannot but wonder who gets the most out of such a relationship. The cat definitely thrives on the undivided attention and the "cat mom" on the other hand is ecstatic to be the recipient of such unconditional love by someone. However, it is also true that women who are vibrant and vivacious have proclaimed their undying love for their cats.

If you happen to visit one of the numerous online message boards and forums devoted to cat lovers, you will realize how many people from different walks of life come together to share their knowledge and experiences with cats. They talk about everything regarding their feline friends, from every little new trick that their cat performed to queries about how to treat some known or unknown "symptom" displayed by their cat.

While dogs have been traditionally employed and accepted as therapy and companion animals, cats are also increasingly favored as therapy animals in health care facilities and nursing homes. Patients are delighted when a visitor brings along a cat. The act of petting and pampering a cat helps to reduce the tension and stress in patients. These qualities of cats are gainfully utilized in health care facilities and nursing homes. The same qualities can also work wonders for the rest of us. The value of therapy cats is especially felt in Alzheimer's patients where the feline creatures help to rekindle their forgotten memories. Therapy cats differ from "ordinary" cats in that they have a more serene temperament and a better tolerance level to new surroundings.

The bond between children and cats is unique and should be encouraged as children should be made aware of the importance of loving and respecting all creatures that share their world. If you think that only children and women can bond with cats then think again. Men too find it impossible to resist the comforting kitty charm.

Human bond with cats is more evident in the event when either one in the relationship is devoid of the others company abruptly, either temporarily or permanently. While humans cope with the separation by sharing their grief and talking about the good times spent together, feline creatures express their grief differently. They become lethargic and lose interest in their regular activities. They also lose their appetite and display marked difference in their temperaments.

With so much and more to say, it is quite evident that the human-feline bond is something exclusive that should be appreciated and cherished.