Our love story with felines seems to have started about 4,950 years ago in ancient Egypt, where people worshipped these furry creatures because they thought cats could bring good luck. Despite this almost reverential relationship, it seems like our four-legged friends only became domesticated within the last 1000 years.
Research on human developmental psychology also finds that the reason why we’re so drawn to these kitties is that their features share some similarities with babies. Therefore, from an evolutionary perspective, we instinctively respond to them and may want to protect them as much as possible.
Cats aren’t just great fodder for memes; scientists have found that their presence can actually be quite healing for humans. A 10-year study found that feline owners were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than other folks, which may be because being around cats can lower one’s blood pressure while releasing dopamine and serotonin.
The presence of a cute kitty can also help release oxytocin, which is the hormone associated with the feeling of being in love. That’s probably why most pet parents you’ll come across treat their furry friend with the utmost care and affection.
Most people who gravitate towards kitties do so because they’re fond of the independent way in which felines operate. Elizabeth Allen points out that cats tend to do what they want without much thought of anyone else. This can look like knocking a glass off a table much to their owner’s frustration or jumping on a person’s laptop while they’re working.
Even though they don’t need constant support or encouragement to follow their hearts, this doesn’t mean that felines are completely aloof. They do care about their human companions, but they might not need anyone to provide protection or reassurance, which shows how confident they truly are.
Even though all of these memes might show kitties in a very quirky and silly light, there’s a lot going on in their tiny furry heads. A team of researchers in Japan conducted memory studies on 49 cats by feeding them multiple bowls of food over time to see how much they could recall about the color of the vessel and the type of meal they were given.
Their research revealed that felines can recall memories on demand, just like humans, and use those recollections to their advantage. These thoughts could also help them steer clear of danger or choose actions that benefit them most, like making wide eyes at their owner to get more treats.
Most of us know a lot about cats because of the Internet, but did you know that one of the most widely believed “facts” about them landing on their feet is not actually true? According to VCA Animal Hospitals, felines do have an incredible righting reflex that lets them twist in midair and land relatively safely, but that’s not foolproof.
If they drop from a very great height, they might not be able to protect themselves fully. This is especially true for overweight cats, who can’t balance themselves properly. What’s shocking to know is that in 1984, a cat named Sabrina fell 32 stories from a New York high-rise and miraculously only ended up with a chipped tooth and a mild lung injury.
You’ve probably seen the most popular cat meme, which says ‘If it fits, I sits,’ and it’s always about the most liquid-looking felines seated in the most diabolical spots. Well, there’s actually a bit of research to show why that’s even a thing, and the Best Friends Animal Society states that boxes and containers can provide a safe space for cats to hide in.
Even the simplest-looking cardboard box can give a kitty a quiet spot to rest and reduce tension. Studies on cat stress show that aggressive or sick furry friends also tend to calm down quickly when given a container they can hide in for a while.
