Passions: Never mind slobbering dogs, it’s time to worship cats again

The Ancient Egyptians had it right, writes health correspondent Joseph Anderson, the mystery and majesty of cats deserves to be worshipped again.

Cats are single-minded, cunning and simply untrainable

Cats are gits. You know it, I know it, and it’s more than likely that they know it too. The thing is – that’s why I love them.

The admiration of cats is best expressed in opposition to their mortal enemy, and rivals for human affection – dogs.

Dogs are needy. Their love is unearned and not particularly tied to anything about you or your personality. You just happen to be the closest thing capable of dispensing treats or belly rubs at any given moment.

Dogs are subservient, and deferential. I’ve never understood why people admire those traits in a pet, or a human for that matter. Could you imagine a human being with these traits? They’d be as insufferable as they were clingy.

That’s not to say dogs aren’t great – objectively, they are fantastic – but they are inferior to felines.

Now take cats. Their love is hard earned. Trust is built up over time and they will only bond with a human they deem trustworthy. I respect that, as I’d respect those qualities in a human being.

They are single-minded, cunning and simply untrainable. All of their desirable qualities as a pet – cleanliness, litter-trained, and playfulness – are innate. Cats are born as the perfect pets.

Their independence does not mean they can’t make lifelong bonds with humans and other cats, however – it just means those friendships are all the more meaningful.

Cats are amazing companions, with unique personalities which are expressed in a manner of strange behaviours. As both predator and prey, cats display hunting and playful behaviours, as well as finding hiding spots and making themselves scarce.

The joy of finding a small, fluffy mammal hiding in a part of your house you weren't expecting to run into a cat is one of life’s simple pleasures. The high-pitched squeak they emit as you uncover their secret hiding spot produces instant serotonin.

The midnight ‘zoomies’ aside – they are very chilled pets. Snoozing in a sunbeam, perched on a windowsill or sat on a home workers’ lap, they can make a home a real home.

They are animals full of contradictions. Contradictions that make them engaging and interesting. They are aloof, yet playful. Comforting, yet distant. Loving, but in need of space. Their mystery and majesty made them the subject of worship in early civilisations. So it should be in modern times.