Why Humans Are Obsessed with Cats | Annals of Obsession | The New Yorker

We take a look at how felines took over the Internet, our homes, and our lives.

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Why Humans Are Obsessed with Cats | Annals of Obsession | The New Yorker

[lollylove]

Cats purring is one of the most hypnotizing sounds on this planet

[lowkeyobsessedngl]

I like how she can't contain her excitement when talking about cats.

[zernne]

I grew up with dogs all my life but when i decided to get a cat 8 years ago, my life has never been the same. He's my lazy roommate, my baby brother, my life.

[guidedmeditation]

People love cats because they are conscious and display a wide range of emotions. The fact they are independent and don't just do as they are told means that when they are affectionate and loving it has more meaning and is genuine.

[strawberry_peroxide]

Cats actually don’t meow to communicate with each other. They created meowing to try and communicate with _us_ . I think that’s amazing

[TazHall]

Easy to care for, cute, poised, graceful, loyal, protective, peaceful, comforting, heart-warming noises, playful, agile, ninja reflexes, efficient hunters, supernaturally sensitive, eerie glowy eyes.... They just have such complexity to them.

[AndresRodriguez-lqyn]

They are the perfect balance between civilization and nature

[kkm]

When the lady said "how susceptible we are to a cat's meow", she smiled wide because she was thinking about her cat meowing. Honestly its like my chips drop and i am instantly disarmed when i hear a cat meowing. A cat could murder the whole world and meow at me and i will forgive and forget.
So blessed to be tamed by these cutie pies.

[blackosprey]

They're basically wild animals and yet they seem precision designed to be a perfect companion for a modern human. They're small, not stinky, naturally inclined to use litter boxes instead of the floor, able to show affection, trigger a human's "protect baby" instincts with their meows and huge eyes.

[dancingram]

I wasnt so much a cat person. I was a dog person, but didnt think much for cats, didnt even think much of them.
After a life crippling depression, I was left with my daughters cat. She was his life and when she moved out, I wasnt just as great company.
But then he loved me back to getting out of bed. After that, I got to understand the way he communicates so much better. Now cats are a source of love and joy. 🥰🥰🥰

[comical]

To paraphrase the late Terry Pratchett:
"Cats used to be venerated as gods - and they haven't forgotten that."

[lnvenum]

"Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods." — Hitchens

[BomageMinimart]

“People may surprise you with unexpected kindness. Dogs have a depth of loyalty that often we seem unworthy of. But the love of a cat is a blessing, a privilege in this world.” - Kinky Friedman

[booqueefious]

"Cats domesticated themselves. And they gave us mind-altering parasites"

Yep. That's definitely something cats would do

[seguebythesea]

All my life I have considered myself a “dog person”. All the time my kids were growing up they had a cat or two, but they were the kids pets, I just provided the food. Four months ago I got the surprise of my life. I totally fell for a cat. A kitten, actually, a lovely little calico with the loudest purr and the adorable habit of sucking her left front paw...but only when she is lying on my chest while we both fall asleep. I’ve turned into a cat lady.

[everywhere]

Before i had cats, i was basically a low life miserable 8-5 worker straight out of high school. Then I adopted 2 twin sister kittens and they changed my life. One didn’t make it to 1 year (im so sorry my baby) so then I adopted 2 more. We now have 3 and I’m so happy everytime I see them ☺️

[Sun_Moon]

I've been going through hard times in life and the main thing that kept me going was my cats. I felt I needed to get better cause they depend on me and I couldn't let them down. That gave the strength to keep going day by day. Now I'm much better I can tell they have been my major pilar to get here.

[KattReen]

There are two kinds of people really, people who like cats, and people who THINK they don't like cats.

[Nekoszowa]

1. They are adorable
2. They purr
3. They are adorable
4. They are adorable
5. And also soft
6. They purr
7. Did I mention that they are adorable.

[falconeshield]

One. They're cute. Two. They're symmetrical, athletic and purrfect. Three, they're naturally self cleaning.