According to the most recent Synovate pet survey (Sept. 2005), conducted in nine markets across the globe, the UK and the US were shown to be the two absolute leaders in pet ownership. Specifically, three-quarters (75%) of the UK respondents were pet owners. Since cats are low maintenance, independent, and affectionate, they fit in well with urban working lifestyles and have become the favorite pet for million of pet-owners over the last 30 years. But although cat-owners are familiar with the sight of a cat wondering the city streets early in the morning and then returning to its owner's residence to rest and eat, statistics reveal that cats are lost, stolen or abandoned and need owners who are caring and also willing to devote time to monitor their "free" lifestyles.

My cat Spike is very laid back. He's a lover, not a fighter, so it was with surprise that one morning as I was feeding him his daily ration of cat food, I saw two scratches on his nose. He ate the food like he was famished, instead of taking a few bites then going somewhere to think the situation over. Normally he would then come back to his bowl and begin to eat again. At the time I didn't know there were raccoons eating his food at night.

A good number of people prefer a feline pet than a canine one. They each have their own reasons: that cats are tamer, that a cat's purr is not as loud as a dog's bark, that it is more economical to keep a cat than a dog. Whatever your reasons are for keeping a cat as your pet, training Puss 'N Boots is not exactly the same as training Pluto. In fact, it requires less repetition and more affection.

Although cats have been kept domestically as pets since the early Egyptians, it wasn't until the late 1940s that commercial cat litter came to be. Prior to that people either let their cats outside to do their business or used cardboard box full with stand in the home.

This was less than ideal and, in fact, the first commercial cat litter was "discovered" mostly by accident when a cat owner sought out the help of her neighbor after the sand she used for her cat litter box was frozen solid. This neighbor made a product that consisted of clay and gave her little clay pellets to use as litter. The pellets proved to be so absorbent this was an immediate success and soon everyone wanted to use these little clay pellets which soon became sold under the name "Kitty Litter".

Back in the ancient times, the cats are already around. They are even placed in elevated positions in civilizations like Egypt.

Today, any one can enjoy owning a cat. There are no restrictions at all in owning them, unlike other pets that require high maintenance and are subject to state or federal regulation.

Cat owners who have had problems with their cat urinating in the wrong place, or spraying, may understand some of my recent experiences well. As a little bit of background, I have 4 cats. One of them, whom I am closest too, is a Tonkinese called Oscar. He is also the oldest cat I have, aside from one who adopted our household, and whose exact age I don't know. Her name is Milo, and she is of similar age to Oscar I would say.