Why Cats Make Better Pets than Dogs

One of the most popular pets to own in the united states is a cat, according to Psychology Today, "A set of new surveys has given us an interesting snapshot about the status of dogs and cats, at least in the United States. The first thing to note is that there are more cats can dogs in the U.S., with 86 million owned cats compared to 78 million owned dogs. However there is a quirk here, since 39% of all American households own a dog compared to 33% of American households with cats. The reason is that cat people like higher numbers with 52% owning more than one cat, as compared to dog owners where only 40% own more than one dog." There are a few reasons why cats are preferred over dogs in the United States. I personally believe that cats make better pets over dogs because cats cost less money than dogs to keep, they don't require much work in general, they don’t require as much attention as dogs do, and are usually healthier and live longer.

The first reason (and most important reason) why cats are better in comparison to dogs as pets is because cats have fewer annual costs to cover. Basic things like food, toys, damages to your property, etc. and medical fees. Yearly cost for maintaining felines is around $599 which is significantly cheaper in the long run from the $947 cost for a canines, based off a study (Petcha). Comparing dog and cat owners, a majority would find that dogs are considerably more expensive than cats. My argument is further validated as there is an even bigger cost difference for vet bills when we compare and contrast these two animals. "While on average, routine annual veterinary care might cost between $200 to $400 for dogs and $90 to $200 for cats." (Wellness) Cats aren’t better just because they have lower annual and medical fees, but also because cats do not require as much upkeep as dogs do.

Obviously they all need love and affection from their owner, but aside from that, let’s observe other stuff these pets need from us. Part of the maintenance of a cat is to replenish their food and water bowls once every day. Having an indoor cat also requires you to clean their litter box once or twice a day, accordingly. An annual check-up at the vet is also necessary. The overall necessities of a cat is feeding them every day, cleaning their litter, annual vet visits and affection. On the contrary, dogs need to be walked every single day regardless of whether since they need the exercise. According to PetMD, your dog needs from 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise every day to be exact. And addition to basic food/water/vet care, canines must also be trained not to bark, not to bite, not to jump, to behave on their leash, to behave like other dogs, not to beg, and the list continues. This training requires a lot of time, especially during the first two years of the dog’s life, but also ongoing to keep the dog in line long-term. Cats do not need to be trained, but are innately well-mannered and quiet. In addition, dogs have more diseases and injuries than cats do resulting in more intense participation from the owner. Dogs have to be bathed regularly also, requiring more upkeep to maintain them. Cleaning up after dogs either on walks or in one’s yard is another component of care with dogs that lucky owners of cats do not have to deal with, aside from simply litter box care. As you can clearly see, dogs are not the way to go unless you prefer loads of upkeep associated with your pet.

Another reason why cats are found to be a better pet than dogs is because cats are more independent than dogs are. As I already mentioned, cats bathe themselves, dogs don’t; cats exercise themselves, dogs don’t; cats mostly train themselves, dogs don’t. Dogs also have to be let outside to go to the bathroom and cannot be left at home for more than a few hours for reasons like this, and require pet sitters or dog kenneling if their owners take even an overnight trip.

However, with cats, you can leave for the weekend, and they are independent and don’t need too much to keep them busy. Dogs, on the other hand, get very high-strung if their owners attempt to make them independent creatures. If you regularly leave your dog alone they are likely to chew vigorously on the furniture, walls, or their owners own personal items causing serious damage. Some cats without enough owner attention will occasionally claw on the couch if they do not have a scratching post available. Canines tend to get restless and depressed or anxious if not given enough attention or exercise. Felines more easily get their needs fulfilled, with a lap cuddle here and there they are happy to just take a nap. Cats satisfy their extra energy on their own by chasing shadows or a string on the floor unlike dogs which need to go for a half hour walk. Cats are without question more independent than dogs making it much easier to own them. Cats have a longer life expectancy than dogs and typically have better health. Felines live about 16 years. But, canines only live 10-12 years ("Pet Life Expectancy"), with some of the larger breed’s only living until 7 or 8 years. Cats don’t get diseases as often as dogs do either, which means their longer lives are also healthier lives (Wall Triana Animal Hospital). Since 2011, diabetes Mellitus increased 32% in dogs and 16% in cats, dental disease increased 12% in dogs and 10% in cats (Klaussner, Jeffrey), and Otitis Externa is found over 20% in dogs and almost 10% in cats (Gotthelf, Louis). Unfortunately, diseases are on the rise for both pets. However, dog diseases seem to be rising faster stating that cats tend to be healthier than dogs. This statement goes along with a phone interview with a local vet which said that dogs tend to get more diseases than cats (Wall Triana Animal Hospital). Cats are certainly healthier than dogs, and owners can expect to enjoy their beloved pet cat up to two times longer than a dog, making it obvious again why cats are the premium option when choosing a pet.

In conclusion, felines are superior to canines because felines cost less, they have less upkeep, they are independent, and because cats have a longer life expectancy than dogs and better health than dogs. If you were considering adopting a dog, think again. Consider the facts that I have laid out. Don’t just get a dog because it’s ??man’s best friend’ or because everybody says that they are cool. Truly look at the statistics and see which suits you better. Which pet do you prefer?

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