If I could choose a new animal for the Chinese zodiac, it would be a cat. Here is my personal insight into why the cat should be an extraordinary contender on the zodiac chart. Don’t let these lovable little furballs fool you; they are naturally agile, powerful, and flexible, with incredible night vision and an acute sense of smell and hearing.

According to traditional Chinese myth, the cat was initially one of the zodiacs on the lunar calendar, but the cunning rat took its place instead. Unfortunately, the poor cat never made it to the finish line to become one of the most dominant zodiacs because of the rat’s betrayal. The story might sound unbelievable, but the cat’s nine lives couldn’t even save it from the great loss of grabbing a spot on the lunar calendar. Isn’t that ironic?

People with the cat Chinese zodiac might possess some unique personality traits, such as carefulness, playfulness, independence, and protectiveness.

A cat person being careful is not a weakness but helps avoid any unfortunate mishaps. A feline can sense danger so it knows when to back off when encountering a disastrous situation, like a showdown with its enemies. For a cat, its arch-enemy may be a wild dog or a nasty skunk. For people, it is important to be careful in dealing with any unwanted confrontations, like arguing with their superiors.

Besides that, a cat has a playful side. It can spend time rolling around with a ball of yarn, showing its independence, unlike a dog that requires constant human attention. Therefore, people with playful and independent personalities do not often require human interaction yet can still enjoy their personal space.

Protectiveness is another significant trait noticed in cats. They are essentially solitary and territorial species that need a safe and protective environment to survive. A cat will show signs of aggression by hissing, blocking, and staring to control its territory. Similarly, humans will do the same to protect their family members and close friends.

Cats would definitely be great friends with dogs. A study suggests that cat and dog siblings can live happily together and even become best buddies. Many pet owners adopt both cats and dogs because they believe that cats can coexist with dogs if they are given time to comfortably get to know each other, especially when they are raised together at an early stage.

Undoubtedly, I believe that a cat is an ideal choice to be the new animal for the Chinese zodiac because of its unique personality traits. It is about time for a change and to debut the cat as the newest member of the Chinese zodiac chart.

S3 Champion, Chinese Culture Week 2023-24 English Writing Competition