32 reasons to adopt a cat

Adopting a cat not only saves a life but enriches the life of the adopter. Cats bring us joy, laughter, comfort, companionship, and so much more. Beyond the joy they bring us, there’s a plethora of other reasons to adopt a feline friend.

If you’re on the fence about adoption, it’s important to consider your personal motivations and why becoming a cat guardian is a good decision for you. Researching the range of reasons people choose to adopt cats can help inform your decision.

You might also be fully on board about welcoming a kitty into your home, and be prepared with all the essentials. You’re fully stocked with the best cat scratching posts and best cat food, but you still need to present some excellent reasons to a significant other, family member, or roommate who’s still unsure.

We’ve got you covered with a robust list of feline-friendly reasons to adopt a cat!

32 reasons to adopt a cat

1. Cats don’t take up much bed space

If you love the idea of sharing your bed with a pet but need a lot of space when you sleep, consider adopting a cat. You can easily share your bed with a cat while having the space you need to sprawl out.

2. Many cats are independent

For folks who don’t enjoy pets as their shadow, you’re likely to find a cat who is purr-fectly content in their independence. You can ask shelter staff to direct you to their adoptable felines who enjoy mellow hangs over constant affection.

3. They can keep your home rodent-free

Wild, free-roaming rodents in the home can invade all kinds of nooks and crannies, leaving droppings and chewing on wires. Many people understandably don’t want to use poison or lethal traps to remove them. When you bring a cat into your home, wild rodents often quickly learn to vacate.

4. Kitties are great apartment pets

Many breeds of dogs don’t fare well in apartments, but their smaller feline counterparts often adjust quite well to apartment living. This is particularly true for cats with low-key personalities or low energy cat breeds. Some apartment cats may need daily harnessed walks and lots of best interactive cat toys to thrive.

5. Save a life

By adopting a feline friend you could be saving a life! Each year, about three million cats enter U.S. shelters. These cats need compassion, companionship, and care. With so many kitties entering rescues, you’re bound to find the perfect fit for your home. Adopt from a shelter, save a life, and enrich your own.

6. Bring humor into your home

Known for their loveable antics and all the funny things cats do. If you’ve ever had a cat in your life or visited a home with a resident feline, you’ve probably witnessed the kitty zooming around the home, chirping at birds from a window, or pouncing on someone's feet. If you want to bring more humor into your home, look no further than a cat.

7. Cats are wonderful companions

Whether you’re looking for a snuggly, affectionate couch potato, an independent pal, or a class clown, cats make wonderful companions. When you visit a rescue or shelter, take your time to get to know the range of adoptable kitties, and don’t be afraid to let staff members know what type of personality you’re looking for.

8. Adopting can provide purpose

Caring for a feline companion can provide a sense of purpose in your life. Your kitty depends on you for their safety, health, and well-being. Providing enrichment, companionship, safety, nutrition, health care, and comfy shelter for your cat can bring increased daily purpose and fulfillment in your life.

9. They can improve your mood

As many cat guardians can attest, cats often lift our spirits. Watching your cat play, taking them on adventures, snuggling up for a nap, and teaching them cute tricks using positive reinforcement can help improve mood and ease stress according to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.

10. You can bring your cat on adventures

While it’s more common to think of dogs as companions on outings, many cat guardians take their cats on adventures. Depending on the personality and interests of your cat, you can use one of the best cat harnesses or the best cat backpacks to bring your feline friend on hikes, to cafes, garden walks, and more. Just make sure your cat is an actively willing and enthusiastic participant in the outings.

11. Cats rule the internet

If you enjoy using social media and are an animal lover, adopting a cat can provide a lifetime of shareable moments. Everyone knows- cats rule the internet. These feisty furballs often display acts of mind-boggling athleticism, mischievous antics, and heart-melting affection that are perfect for archiving and sharing with friends online.

12. They can provide friendship for other pets

If you have a canine companion who isn’t fond of other pups but likes cats, adopting a cat can provide your dog with a constant pal when you’re away. Of course, it’s important to make sure both the dog and cat feel safe, happy, and secure around each other before committing to the adoption.

13. Cats are non-judgemental listeners

You can spill all of your most burning secrets or insecurities to your cat with no worry of judgment. It might seem silly, but talking to another sentient being, even if they aren’t of the same species, can relieve the stress of keeping anxieties bottled up. So go ahead and vent to your newly adopted kitty. Just remember that tone and speaking volume can affect your cat.

14. Barn cats are excellent additions to farms

Many shelters have barn cat programs in which they adopt feral or highly unsocialized felines into barns and similar safe, but less human-occupied settings. These cats are typically still fully vetted. In exchange for providing a barn cat with a secure, supportive environment, healthcare, and food, farmers can receive on-site, full-time non-toxic rodent control.

15. You’re helping reduce overpopulation

Reputable rescues and shelters spay and neuter their cats before adoption, When feral and stray cat colonies become overpopulated, the cats suffer from an increased rate of disease, injury, and starvation. By adopting a cat, you’re not only saving that cat’s life but supporting efforts to curb overpopulation.

16. Shelter cats are fully vetted

When you adopt from a responsible shelter or rescue, the cat is not only spayed or neutered, but typically has already received necessary vaccines, and treatment for a range of common illnesses, and received some of the best topical flea treatments for cats, ticks, and parasites.

17. By adopting, you help open space in the shelter

By adopting a cat, you not only save that individual but also create space for the shelter to take in another cat in need. Adoption always saves two lives- the life of the animal you’re adopting and the life of the animal who can now enter the rescue.

18. Adopting a cat may benefit heart health

Some studies indicate that becoming a pet guardian can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease. A study done in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology found that cat guardians display a significantly reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and heart attack compared to people who were not or had never been cat guardians.

19. Children can learn about caring for a pet

If you have kiddos and are thinking about adopting a pet, consider bringing a cat into your home. Children can learn compassion, responsibility, and empathy by participating in the care of an adopted cat. Additionally, as they are smaller and generally more independent than most dogs, a cat can be an excellent choice for a busy household with kids. Be sure to read up on tips on how to introduce a cat to your children to make a smooth transition for everyone.

20. Cats are comforting

If your cat enjoys snuggling or simply sharing space, they can provide a great deal of comfort, especially for people living alone. Their comforting purring, affectionate kneading, and nuzzles can help you feel cared for and connected to another being.

21. They are fairly quiet pets

While some cats are quite talkative, many others prefer to navigate the world in relative silence. If you’re easily overstimulated by the typical vocalization of dogs, consider adopting a cat. You can often ask the shelter staff members to direct you to their adoptable cats who aren’t notably chatty.

22. Cats can make wonderful office or shop companions

If you love the idea of bringing your pet to work, adopting a cat may work out splendidly. Most customers love entering a store to see a cat curled up in one of the best cat beds next to the counter or perched on a window sill. They also make the work day so much more enjoyable.

23. Cats can make excellent pets for seniors

As they’re small, lower maintenance, lightweight, and can’t topple you over, cats can make wonderful companions for senior folks. Cats who love to hang out on laps can provide constant friendship for older folks who may have a difficult time standing or walking for extended periods.

24. Adult cats typically require low supervision

As a general comparison to dogs and kittens, most adult cats require less supervision. If you’re looking to adopt a cat who isn’t likely to chew inappropriate items or get in the trash, you may want to bring home an adult kitty. We still do recommend leaving some of the best interactive cat toys out for your kitty to enjoy though to help combat boredom.

25. Most are quite clean

Cats tend to be rather clean critters. They regularly clean themselves and like to keep their litter boxes tidy, especially if you use some of the best cat litter. If you tend toward keeping a clean house and want to adopt a pet, you’re bound to find a well-mannered cat to suit your lifestyle.

26. Adopting a cat can provide a structured daily routine

If you love animals and want to bring more structure into your daily routine, consider welcoming a feline companion into your home. Feeding them with the best cat bowls, cleaning our the best cat litter boxes, keeping the water bowl full and clean, and providing social, mental, physical, and food enrichment are all crucial components of daily care for your cat.

27. They can help ease social anxiety

If you feel nervous in social settings but want to invite people to your home, adopting a cat may help you feel more comfortable. You can always break the ice by talking about how you met your adopted cat and other aspects of your cat’s life. Additionally, keeping your cat by your side or on your lap while you socialize can help you feel more at ease.

28. By adopting, you are supporting rescue efforts

When you pay an adoption fee for a rescue cat, you are actively supporting the efforts of the organization. These fees help cover the costs of care for the cat while they are in the facility or foster home and help ensure the group can continue saving animals.

29. Cats are wonderful pets for introverts

Many cats are more than happy to spend their days lounging, participating in indoor enrichment activities, and snuggling up with their human companions. If you’re introverted and like to spend lots of time at home, you can likely find one of the best cats for introverts who are quite content to be your homebody buddy.

30. Kitties always support your decision to take breaks

If you have trouble taking breaks from your work or studies, an adopted cat will be there to support you in stepping away from your task. Since cats do need daily social enrichment, why not take a break and snuggle or play with some of the best cat toys?

31. Cats are excellent yoga partners

Anyone who has watched even a handful of cat home videos can tell you that these funny felines can contort themselves into ridiculous positions. If you need some inspiration to try new yoga poses or want a buddy to accompany you on the mat, consider adopting the animal kingdom’s expert in flexibility.

32. Cats are excellent bird-watching buddies

If you enjoy bird watching chances are your cat will too, albeit for possibly different reasons. If you have bird feeders set up in your garden or yard, you and your cat can enjoy each other’s company while you watch a myriad of birds outside your window.