Why introverts are mostly cat people

Photo by Mel Elías on Unsplash

Dogs are considered man’s best friend and had been in the number-one position since the beginning of human civilization. But cats, on the other hand, have been looked upon as lazy unaffectionate creatures by most people. I am pretty sure that most introverts, especially the ones who own cats would strongly disagree with this statement.

Cats and introverts share many common character traits, this could be the reason why most introverts prefer cats over other pets.

1. Cats are picky about the people it interacts with: If you ever owned a cat, you would have probably noticed that it is very hard to gain a cat’s trust. Cats have a very strict and long screening process with who it interacts with, comparing to dogs, who instantly bonds with its owners. But when the cat finally feels comfortable around its new owner, it is the beginning of a beautiful companionship. A cat’s trust may be hard to get, but it is worth the struggle.

2. Cats need their alone time: This is probably one of the reasons why people get the idea that cats are mysterious creatures. Cats have their way with disappearing into thin air, one moment they are there, the next moment they are gone. And after a while, they resurface with a pleasant look on their face, completely recharged. This is because cats need their alone time, just like introverts. If you force them to interact with you during their alone time, they will be very disturbed and won’t be too happy with you.

3. Cats are independent creatures: Cats like to be independent. If you are a person who wants a pet who lives and breaths for you, you shouldn’t get a cat. This doesn’t mean that cats don’t love or care for their owners. It just means that a cat sees you more like a companion than a master. If you gain a cat’s trust, it will definitely love and care for you. But it wants to live its own way.

4. Cats love spending time with people it really loves: Cats only spend time with people it really feels comfortable and safe around. And once you win a cat's heart, it will die to spend more time with you. It doesn’t mean it wants to just play with you. It might just sit near you, listening to all your deep thoughts and stories, with its slowly blinking eyes. Even if you sit there silently, that is completely fine with the cat.

5. Cats feel comfortable in their home: Sound familiar? For an introvert, this is a very relatable trait. A cat feels comfortable in the surroundings as it gives them a sense of control and safety. What can possibly go wrong when you at home right?

6. Cats are observant: Cats are very observant. It is their natural instinct and is quite fascinating sometimes. Cats can commonly be seen looking out through a window or a small hole for even hours straight. They love to see what is going around them but are not too excited when it comes to going out.

I won't say that cats are better than all other pets out there. I am simply trying to find the reasons why most introverts prefer cats as their pets. The way a cat behaves naturally makes it somewhat the perfect pet for an introvert.