Every time I look at my cat — that little furball who seems to do nothing but eat, sleep, and look adorable — I can’t help but wonder:“She even hides when she sees a mouse… so why do I even need her?”But after spending enough time together, I finally understood — a cat’s true value isn’t measured by what she does, but by what she makes you feel.
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From “Mouse Catcher” to Family Member — The Evolution of Cats
Long ago, cats were valued purely as mouse catchers.Back in the Tang Dynasty (around the 7th–10th century), people raised cats mainly to protect grain storage from rodents.By the Song Dynasty, things got more interesting — people even offered salt and sugar as a dowry when adopting a cat, almost like marrying one off!Fast forward to today: we buy premium cat food, imported canned meals, freeze-dried treats, and whatever our cats fancy — often spending more on them than on our own snacks.Over 1,400 years, cats have evolved from being useful tools to becoming beloved family members — treasured not for what they do, but simply for being who they are.
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As Zhuangzi Said: “The Usefulness of Uselessness” — That’s Cats!
The ancient Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi once said: “The usefulness of what is useless is the greatest use of all.”And honestly, you’ll only truly understand this sentence after living with a cat.People actually need this kind of “useless usefulness.”The idea means that something society labels as useless can, precisely because of that quality, reveal a deeper, more essential purpose.Today’s house cats may no longer chase mice — in fact, some even run away at the sight of one!But calling them “useless”? That’s totally wrong.Their emotional value far outweighs catching a hundred mice!Studies have shown that playing with a cat for just 15 minutes a day can lower human stress hormones by up to 30%.I remember one night, exhausted from working overtime, feeling like I was about to break down.Then my cat jumped on the desk and gently nudged my hand with her little head —and just like that, all the fatigue melted away.
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Cats Help Us Fight Our Obsession with Productivity
Modern society measures everything by efficiency and utility — even friendships are sometimes judged by whether someone is “useful.”From childhood, we’re told to succeed, to be meaningful, to achieve results.But cats? They’re different.They don’t need to be “successful” or “purposeful.”They just exist, lying there, soft and fluffy — and somehow, that’s enough to heal your restless mind.Psychological studies show that interacting with pets increases oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone”, which enhances feelings of happiness and connection.Cats remind us what pure joy looks like.They don’t ask for anything — their silent companionship teaches us what unconditional love truly means.And honestly, that’s something modern people desperately lack.
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As Long as a Cat Is There, the Heart Feels Safe
To me, my cat is an emotional anchor.No matter how stressful or chaotic work gets, the moment I open the door and see her sitting there waiting — or hear her purring softly on the couch — I immediately feel at peace.She tells me, in her own quiet way, that being needed doesn’t have to be complicated.Sometimes, just existing is enough.Data even shows that 87% of cat owners say their cats significantly reduce their loneliness.Cats may not help humans in any practical sense — but they give us something far more precious:a sense of inner calm and grounded satisfaction.Even with all their quirks and imperfections, their presence becomes that steady anchor in our hearts —and the more we realize this, the more we find comfort just by looking at them.
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Cats Teach Us What “Simple Love” Means
Cats can’t speak — yet their companionship is warmer than a thousand sweet words.They don’t leave you when you’re broke or tired; they don’t argue or hold grudges.Every morning they nudge you awake, and every night they curl up on your lap as you watch TV.That quiet, everyday togetherness is the purest form of intimacy.Behavioral research even shows that a cat’s purring frequency (25–50 Hz) can help reduce stress and promote bone healing.Yes — even their purrs are secretly healing you.This kind of love asks for nothing in return —and through it, cats teach us how to love simply and sincerely.
It’s Not That We Need Cats — It’s That Cats Help Us Become Better Humans!The truth is, it’s never really about what we need cats to do. It’s about how cats quietly help us become better versions of ourselves.When you care for a cat, you learn patience — it knocks over a water cup, and you don’t lose your temper the way you used to. You learn responsibility — feeding it on time, cleaning the litter box every day. And most importantly, you learn unconditional love — whether it’s mischievous or mellow, you love it all the same.We say we “need” cats, but deep down, what we truly crave is pure companionship — love that asks for nothing in return. So stop asking, “What can a cat do for me?” The fact that it chose to walk into your life is already the greatest gift.In the end, I need cats. Humanity needs cats.So tell me — what’s the biggest change your cat has brought to your life?Share your story in the comments below — we’d love to hear how your little furball has changed you!
