Deciding whether to get a cat or a dog when you're ready to have a pet can be a difficult choice. While both are furry, these two animals are quite different. Cats have many advantages that make them suitable for families, including being easy to care for and clean, and performing adorable actions.
1. Cats don't take up much space.
If you've ever tried sharing a bed with a Golden Retriever (or even just a small dog), you know they take up a lot of space. Besides the space they occupy themselves, they love to run around. They need space to play and exercise, as well as space for their things (like their kennel and toys). Dogs need enough space to live a happy and healthy life.
However, cats don't need a lot of space to live in. As long as you have enough space to store their necessities, such as a litter box, a food bowl, and a water bowl, that's enough for your cat to live in.
2. It costs less money to keep a cat.
When it comes to pet ownership, cats are generally less expensive than dogs. While buying a specific breed of cat can be expensive, the cost of adopting a kitten is generally lower than that of adopting a dog, especially during kitten breeding season or when shelters receive a large influx of kittens. Some shelters even waive adoption fees or allow you to take two kittens for the price of one.
Once you have a pet, be prepared to spend money, from daily necessities to grooming. Some dogs have a tendency to destroy their toys, so their toys must be made of stronger (and therefore more expensive) materials, or need to be replaced more frequently. Cat toys are relatively cheaper, and can even be made more easily by yourself.
Sufficient exercise is crucial for a dog's health, but when you have a full-time job, taking it for walks two or three times a day is difficult. Hiring someone to walk the dog can be quite expensive. Cats, on the other hand, are happy enough just to wander around the house, nap, and play with their toys. If you have two cats, they play together, so you don't need to worry about exercise at all.
3. Cats are well-suited to indoor living.
Dogs can hardly live indoors all the time; they need plenty of exercise and time outdoors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, if you don't have the energy and time to take your dog to the park or even just downstairs, it can cause significant problems.
On the contrary, cats are safer living indoors, and they are perfectly content in a sunny spot by the window or curled up in a warm spot on the sofa. Owners only need to open the window to let them breathe some fresh air (but make sure the window isn't opened too wide so the cat can run out).
4. The cat will be quieter.
Even dog lovers have to admit that whether your dog is barking at a passerby, another animal, or simply because it can't reach its favorite toy under the sofa, it's very noisy.
While cats do make some noise, especially at night when many are most active, their meows are usually quite quiet. A cat's meows and purrs are adorable, but it's best to try to understand what they mean and know how to distinguish between meows that say "I'm hungry" and "I want a cuddle."
5. Caring for a cat doesn't require too much energy.
Newly adopted puppies and kittens require a significant investment of time, energy, and attention from their owners as they gradually adapt to their new environment, establish their eating habits, and begin initial training. In the first few weeks, you may need to sleep less and spend more time with your dog or cat.
However, puppies require constant training (especially potty training), while kittens can be left alone at home with little supervision once they are weaned from their mothers and have learned to use a litter box.
If you want to make your house or furniture safer, you can put your kitten in a room where it has little to damage when you're not home. This will keep the kitten in a relatively safe space, and because of its small size, it won't cause much damage.
6. Cats can reduce insects in the home.
Cats are natural hunters; their DNA includes the instinct to track, hunt, and pounce on prey. Even if an insect just appears on a TV screen, your cat might still pounce on it. While you shouldn't, and should never, let your cat eat insects or mice it catches, owning a cat can definitely reduce the number of insects in your home. More importantly, your cat's scent can keep rodents away from your house. If rodents spot a cat in the house, they will run away and won't come in.
7. Cleaning a cat litter box is simpler than walking a dog.
While it might seem a little strange at first that your cat will urinate in litter boxes scattered all over the house, cleaning a litter box is much easier than taking your dog for a walk late at night, especially in the hot summer or freezing winter when you have to take your dog for a walk and then use plastic bags to clean up their feces.
Cats are naturally very clean creatures; one of their instincts is to bury their urine and feces, as this helps conceal their territory from predators. While domestic cats shouldn't be hunted, owners can benefit from their tidy and clean habits.
8. Cats can clean themselves.
Dogs are attracted to smelly things, such as garbage, dead animals, and feces, and some even like to roll around in them. Therefore, dogs need regular bathing and grooming, and taking them to professional grooming services can be quite expensive.
Cats are essentially capable of grooming themselves. You can brush their fur every now and then, and be sure to trim their nails as needed. But otherwise, cats can maintain their own cleanliness.
9. Cats can understand the concept of personal space.
After a long and stressful workday, you might not be in the mood for a dog following you around the house, wanting you to play with it. But a cat might understand (and appreciate) the concept of personal space because of your aloofness or distance. Cats don't require your constant attention or energy, which gives you your own space to sit down and relax.
10. Cats can bring health benefits.
It offers certain health benefits. For example, a cat's purring has a positive effect on human health, positively impacting muscles and bones. The frequency of this vibration has been shown to have a positive effect on joint mobility after injury.
Generally speaking, raising a cat requires less time and effort than raising a dog, making it more suitable for people who prefer less clingy pets. However, if you can overcome the challenges of raising a dog and genuinely love dogs, you shouldn't give up on the idea of getting one for these reasons. Choosing a pet you love is the most important decision.
