Recently, I watched a few cat videos on my social media account and even liked a couple of them. Maybe it was because I have a cat, so it was only natural, but AI picked up on that and the algorithm shifted. Suddenly, my feed was flooded with everything related to cats: cat food, funny cats, evil cats, notorious cats, etc. And that’s when I realised this cute little furry creature is much more than just a stray or a pet — it’s intelligent, wise and incredibly observant. I observed every movement of its eyes, the way it responded to my calls, my questions, etc.

Those who own a cat will definitely relate to everything I’m about to share. But all those thinking about adopting one, read on. You need to be ‘well prepared’, because what you’re about to adopt is not just a pet — it’s a creature that’s probably planning to adopt ‘you’!

Let’s go back a few centuries to understand how this cutie had a special place in history.

During the ancient Egyptian era, cats were seen as divine beings. People deeply respected them and thought harming a cat could bring bad luck. At the same time, the goddess Bastet, half-human, half-cat was worshipped as the goddess of home, fertility and protection.

Fast forward to medieval Europe, cats, especially the black ones, were regarded as symbols of black magic, evil and were thought to be cursed. They were linked to witches and blamed for all kinds of bad luck, plagues, curses and much more.

By the 18th century, the bad luck tag was still on them, yet sailors started taking cats along on their sea voyages, not just as a comfort pet, but primarily as rat hunters, who kept ships clean and saved food supplies from rats.

In Japanese folklore, cats are still considered as being the symbols of good fortune. You’ve probably seen the maneki-neko — that cute cat statue with a raised paw at shop entrances. It’s not just for show, people believe that little paw is calling in money, customers and positive energy.

Undoubtedly, the history of cats is filled with glamour and also some notoriety. However, in the present, human-cat relationship has evolved — it’s something about friendship and comfort.

Who is the owner?

Cats are notorious for being bossy and even a little selfish in nature. Wanting to find out if there was any truth in all this, I researched and found that — according to some scientists and a whole lot of cat owners — cats don’t exactly see us as “owners.”

In fact, they cannot accept the fact that you own them, they think they own you!

Where dogs are pack animals who thrive on leadership and approval, cats are solitary hunters. They don’t need us in the same way, but they do choose to be around us. So, no, your cat probably doesn’t see you as its master. But more like the chef and housekeeper and also an entertainment system.

Sleep is their full time passion!

Sometimes I feel like cats sleep like they’re getting paid for it, up to 16 hours a day! That’s not laziness, its life. Stray cats had to preserve energy between searching for food again, a struggle they have to do every time. But indoor cats, they preserve energy between snack breaks, and that’s it. When they wake up, it’s usually to eat, stare at you while you eat or ignore your existence, or meow loudly to get your attention!

However, the rule of thumb is: don’t disturb a cat when it’s in deep slumber!

I remember once, when I was a child, our cat was fast asleep. He was adorable, one we had raised since birth. Being a kid, I didn’t know much about the animal behaviour; so while he was still in deep sleep, I held his paws and tried to make him stand up.

It sure was a big mistake.

That single act shook his soul and he reacted accordingly. He tried to bite my head while piercing his nails through my temples.

Lesson learnt: never irritate a cat in deep slumber. Think of it as what if someone is doing that to you while you’re dozing off. You’d be ready to throw hands too.

Food is serious business!

Food is a necessity of life for all the creatures on earth. But for cats, it’s quite a serious business. They don’t want you to be sloppy with it, they don’t like it at all. It’s your utmost duty and you must fulfil before they even ask you to.

However, if your cat purrs, rubs against you or follows you around the kitchen, it’s not just about the food. Those are signs of bonding. I will call it snack-based love language!

What my years of owning cats have taught me is that a cat won’t love you like dogs do. But they’ll sit silently beside you when you’re not in your good mood, perhaps crying. Cats aren’t always loyal in a typical way, they’re not clingy. They’re just choosy.

Curiosity meets playfulness

The moment kittens start walking; they begin exploring everything around them. They want to know, see, sniff and absorb as much as they can.

Have you ever seen a cat chasing its own tail? It’s funny, one moment they’re cleaning themselves and in the next, they are chasing their own tail and bite it. And when it hurts them, they realise, oh wait, that’s part of me!

There is no doubt, cats are the masters of impromptu comedy. They’ll squeeze themselves into the tiniest boxes, half-hanging out, adjusting and peeking out, as if trying to say, ‘Hey, you there hooman! Catch me!’

Guardians of their space

Animals tend to have a sense of ownership to where they live or sit. They cannot accept an intruder in their area, whether another cat or a dog. And those at home, don’t like it if you have guests over. Some cats would just leave the place until the guests are gone, while some stay far from yours or others’ reach, yet in a place where they can keep an eye on everything!

Taking care of your cat

Whichever pet you keep, they need regular health check-ups and vaccinations. But look closely to their eating habits, especially if they stop eating.

If you have adopted a stray cat, be extra careful. Stray cats have a different digestive system compared to purebred ones; they have eaten all sorts of rough or spoilt food while out in the street, so they’re more likely to catch stomach bugs, mouth ulcers or similar issues.

Usually, small stomach upsets go away on their own, within a day or two, but if doesn’t, it’s a sign that something serious might be going on and they need to see a vet.

So if you have a cat, try to understand it a bit more. But if you’re thinking of adopting one, just know, you’re not going to own it, you’re simply becoming a roommate.

August 8th is celebrated as the International Cat Day. It was established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). This day is dedicated to raising awareness about cats and promoting their well-being.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 2nd, 2025