I recently bought my first kitten and I don't know how I ever lived without one. They are so fluffy, cute and lovable. Kittens along with other pets teach us to take time out of our busy day to care for others and play. It is important to pay attention to the little things in life that make us happy.

1. They are easy to take care of.

Cats are very low maintenance and do not need as much attention as dogs every day. You should still play with them as much as you can, but they eventually learn how to entertain themselves.

2. They love to cuddle.

Despite the stigma that cats hate people, they actually really do love cuddling with you once they are comfortable and trust you. They are the best cuddlers because they get a lot of practice while napping.

3. They are very smart.

Cats have a similar brain structure to humans with a cerebral cortex that allows for memory, learning and decision making. They can also dream and have great depth perception from the same binocular vision that we have.

4. They are great napping buddies.

Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day which is twice as much as humans. This gives plenty of opportunities during the day to join your cat in a cat nap and appreciate the benefits of sleep.

5. They can help you de-stress.

Cats can help you de-stress by encouraging you to play and cuddle with them. Spending time with your cat will help you forget about all of your worries and deadlines.

6. They are very clean.

Cats are very clean animals that bathe and groom themselves almost the whole time that they are awake. Their sandpaper tongues comb through their fur, their teeth can dig out dirt, and by licking their paws they can wash the hard-to-reach places.

7. They are independent.

Cats do not rely on their owners for protection, safety and security like dogs do. And they do not need them when presented with unfamiliar environments. This is due to their solitary hunter nature vs. hunting in packs.

8. They can love you.

Cats express their love for their owners in subtle ways that don't include jumping or face licking. Rubbing, kneading paws, holding eye contact or soft blinks, licking hair and earlobes, and a high-pitched trill are all examples of the ways your cat can send you affection.

9. They will be your baby.

If you need a baby fix, a kitten may do the job. Affection from a cat is very special and will produce high levels of oxytocin and bonding between you and the kitten.

10. They will cheer you up.

After the seriousness of the day, a cat will show you how simple life can be. They are perfectly happy and content in their own little world, which is admirable to us humans.

11. They are downright adorable.

Last but not least, cats are obviously one of the cutest animals ever created on this earth. They deserve a medal for that. Seriously.