It has been discovered that owning a pet does wonders for your health with many studies showing that pet owners are generally happier and healthier than non-pet owners.

So when it comes to finding your perfect pet, there is no doubt that the possibility of owning a cat is high on the agenda. Can you imagine a more perfect a setting than on a cold winter’s day sitting by a roaring fire and having your cat curled up on your lap purring that rhythmical purr?

There are many anecdotes (below) about the reasons why cats make for such terrific pets, not only because they are loving and affectionate pets, but also because there is a lot you can learn from them.

So what are the reasons for having a cat in the house?

For such loving and endearing creatures they are extremely low maintenance. Cat lover Kate Hough said: “The beauty of having a cat is receiving lots of love without expectations. A cat doesn’t need to be walked, trained (unless you have a kitten then there is litter training) nor bathed regularly. They are easy going and independent pets, but at the same time offer you all the love and companionship you would want from a pet.”

“You don’t need a back garden or large house to home a cat, they’ll adapt to any surrounding,” says Matt Wright. “My partner and I have moved several times, downsizing and up scaling to a larger home and our cat Misty has come with us every time. She never made a fuss and seemed to enjoy exploring her new surroundings each time. If we had a larger pet like a dog we would have quite a lot to consider. A back garden would be necessary, large rooms would be required and a big kitchen for him to sleep in would also have to be catered for.”

The main reason for many cat lovers out there is unconditional love and companionship. Cats are very sensitive to your moods which can make them the ideal pet when it comes to affection. Studies have shown that a loving cat can lower blood pressure and can sooth people who are ill. They are there to comfort you when you’re upset, sit next you when you’re feeling low and make you laugh and be playful when you’re in a pleasant mood.

The next reason is lifespan; your cat can grow old with you. They can live up to 16 years and through that time they can be there when you make life changing decisions such as having children. Tom Smith had a cat for a couple years before deciding to start a family, “As soon as my wife and I had a child our cat, Cat (my wife is a big fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s) loved interacting with him and not only showed us affection she also showed our baby affection. There weren’t any jealously issues concerning our affection turning from our cat to our child, which I’m aware can happen if you have a dog. Although we still love our cat and gave her as much as we could, our priorities changed and Cat was fine with the transition.”

Talking to parents with cats, many found that a cat taught their children values of compassion and gentleness. In comparison to a dog, if a child is rough with a cat by stroking him too heavily the cat will run out of the room and end any interaction with the child.

They are not very tolerable creatures when it comes to rough and tumble, which in turn teaches children the difference between being gentle and rough.

Let’s not forget either that cats are fun too, simply watching them entertain themselves with a toy or interacting with them using a toy can bring a lot of laughter and happiness into the household.

What makes a cat the perfect pet has been written on behalf of PetSci by Bonlays, a leading UK retailer of cat and dog commodities. http://www.bonlays.co.uk love pets and understand how wonderful a feeling it is to introduce a pet into the home. You will find a great range of toys, clothes and travel products to choose from all at competitive prices.

For many, pets are chosen based primarily on space and lifestyle considerations. Cats are much more amenable to apartments and small spaces, while dogs—especially big dogs—need room to roam. Young professionals living downtown are thus more likely to be cat owners, while families living out in the suburbs are more inclined to own large, playful dogs like golden retrievers or German shepherds.

But there are also clear personality differences between the species that, in turn, attract different types of owners (or guardians, to use a more pet-centric locution).

Both in the wild and at home, cats are solitary creatures most active at dawn and dusk. During the day, cats often seem indifferent to your presence. While cats enjoy playing with their owners or with other cats, their interest is often limited. Cats are aloof creatures who enjoy their personal space and dislike orders. Many will look at you with condescending pity if you command them to “sit” or “lie down.”

“If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man,” Mark Twain famously wrote, “but it would deteriorate the cat.”

Many—but certainly not all—cat owners are predisposed to solitary, intellectual pursuits that require a minimal amount of human interaction. At work, cat owners may prefer closed-door offices and minimal interruptions. Famous cat lovers include Raymond Chandler, Albert Einstein and Sir Winston Churchill.

Dogs, like their wild canine ancestors, are sociable pack animals. Without daily walks, hour-long stick throwing-and-retrieving sessions and ample belly-rubbing, dogs will become surly, morose and prone to dig out your flower bed. Still, there is always a quiet dignity about dogs and an admirable sense of loyalty, which is why they are often referred to as “man’s best friend.”

“The dog is a gentleman,” wrote Twain. “I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.”

Many dog owners are social individuals who value time spent amongst their friends and peers. At work, they may prefer open office spaces with plenty of room for interaction and group projects. On the weekend, they may escape the confines of the city for the wild open spaces of the country. Dog people are often described as jocular, engaging and outgoing, and not at all opposed to being scratched behind the ear. Famous dog owners include Sir Isaac Newton, Robert Plant and President John Kennedy.

Do you know any other traits specific to dog or cat owners, respectively? Do those tendencies carry over into the workplace? Do you think cat people and dog people go on different vacations? Would you mind coming by and feeding Rusty and Mr. Whiskers while we’re away in Bermuda?