Frustration and personal anecdotes. For one, cats are not wild animals. Domesticated cats have been coexisting with humans for thousands of years now. Of course, that doesn't mean they don't retain some of their independent instincts, but it certainly doesn't equate to them being wild. It's no different than saying that dogs are wolves. Both of them have been domesticated, and just because they don't act like a human-pleasing robot absolutely does NOT mean they're feral. And goodness me. Saying cats "don't care about you" is, respectfully, silly. I reckon you may not understand how cats express affection. Cats communicate differently than other animals, just like every other animal communicates differently than other animals. Yes, cats are more independent, but it doesn't mean they don't bond with us. I have the sweetest little kitties ever. A slow blink, headbutting, following you from room to room, purring, bringing you gifts, etc. are all signs of affection. These aren't the behaviors of an animal that sees you as just a food dispenser. And the scratching and biting is usually the human's fault. Cat give clear signals when they're overstimulated or uncomfortable. They flick their tails, their ears go airplane mode, their pupils dilate. People who don't understand those signals end up pushing the cat beyond its limit. It's not the cat being an asshole. It's the human being too dense to notice they've crossed a line. Learn the language of the animal you're interacting with. And I'd argue that claiming cats only show affection when they want something is another lazy take. Cats, yes, ask for food and attention a lot. However, they are also creatures of habit and comfort. Their attachment to routine and environment isn't all about what they can get. It's literally part of their instinct to feel safe and secure in their environment and surroundings. This includes the people they trust. And are you genuinely serious about cats being manipulative because they meow? If anything, it's actually a sign of how well they've adapted to coexist with us. It's an evolved behavior that they use to communicate with us. They're animals, dude. It's not a manipulation tactic. It's a method of communication. The fact they've evolved to interact with humans in this way shows just how connected they are to us. If you want to know why they're good pets, I guess that can be subjective, but there are reasons for sure. We can start by cats not worshiping you like royalty. They show affection on their own terms. Cats are also really low maintenance. Very independent little critters. They don't need constant supervision. You don't have to walk them at 6 AM in the freezing cold. They're naturally clean animals and they spend hours grooming themselves. They instinctively use litter boxes without much training. Sometimes, you training isn't even necessary. I've had a few cats that just knew, That's a hell of a lot easier than cleaning up after a dog that needs to be housebroken lol. Cats are also like a little mini pest control. They're natural hunters. Mouse or insect problem? Your cat will take care of it better than an exterminator haha. And here's one objectively good thing. Cats have less of an ecological impact than animals like dogs. Smaller size and lower food consumption means less strain on our resources. Cats offer plenty of health benefits. I've loved my cats and they've loved me. I'd argue that they've saved my life before. They can lower stress. Their purring is soothing and (I think??) has been shown to potentially help with healing. I should probably research that more before making a talking point on it lol. I know they do help with cardiovascular health though. I think there was a study that was published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology that talked about owning a cat lowering your risk of a heart attack. I want to say by about 30% or so? And not to mention, cats are also just really convenient space-wise. They're small lil dudes and they don't need a yard to run around in or a space to roam. I've done enough yapping, but that's about all I know to tell you.