Why cats are not so far behind dogs

Cats are cute animals. But not everyone thinks so. For example, a lot of people prefer dogs rather than cats. About 49% of pet owners around the world like dogs. Imagine this, it’s like half of the owners, while only 23% are cats. However, cat ownership is growing faster than dog ownership.

Usually when someone asks you what your favorite pet is, dog or cat, you will likely answer dog. But why is that so? Dogs are popular pets due to their companionship, loyalty, and ability to offer emotional and physical support. They provide love, reduce stress, and encourage an active lifestyle, making them the best companions for a lot of people. But there goes another pet, the cat. A lot of people often see it as a “boring” pet, since it doesn’t do any of this. Not everyone understands that cats are actually smart. People view them as dumb animals that eat paper and hide in boxes. Though some of it may be true, cats are not what people always view them as.

For example, a study has shown that cats are much more independent than dogs. Dogs need assistance everywhere, while cats can go to the litter box and clean up after themselves or also, cats don’t need as much entertainment as dogs. A cat can be both indoors and outdoors and both don’t require much help. Indoors a cat can play with objects, playfight with its friend (if you have two cats), and lay down lazily on the couch. Outdoors a cat can take walks around its territory, and many more things. While on the other hand there is the dog. Unlike cats, dogs need extra care, you need to walk your dog to entertain it, otherwise it will get bored at home and make a mess. But not just for entertainment, if your dog needs to go potty it must go outside too. And you can’t leave it on its own. Walking your dog can be really annoying.

That aside, owning a cat can also be cheaper than owning a dog due to lower food costs and potentially lower veterinary expenses. A cat also has smaller needs as motioned above in the paragraph, when walking a dog there are some additional items you need to buy. A leash and a lot of trash baggies. Though that seems like a little, comparing to what cats need that amount makes a difference.

Health and emotional benefits. Studies suggest that cat purring can help reduce stress in humans and may even lower blood pressure. More research says that cats can form a strong emotional bond between them and their owner. If mistreated or abused, the opposite will happen which can say that cats are more emotional than dogs. Which is, considering their independence a big advantage.

Lastly, the lifespan of a cat is longer than a dog. The average lifespan of a cat is 13-20 years, while a dog’s is 10-13 years. If you want a pet who lives longer, a cat will do. As for conclusion, you could disagree and keep disliking cats. But this article’s purpose is to tell you that cats aren’t far behind dogs, they are nearly the same, maybe even better.