5 Reasons Why Cats Make Wonderful Pets

Pets...when we hear this word, the first thing that usually comes to mind for most people is dogs. And that's not at all surprising given that in 2019, around 40% of Australian households have at least one dog, while 27% have cats.

If you're an animal lover looking to have a new pet or you're a current pet owner who's considering getting another one that doesn't bark or shed as much, then you've come to the right place. In today’s article, we’re we give you several reasons why cats make just as great pets as dogs.

Why Should I Get a Cat?

A cat is low-maintenance

Owning a dog entails a lot of preparation and time, especially in their early stages of life, to ensure that they become well-mannered and will only require very little guidance once they reach adulthood. For this reason, some pet owners feel compelled to take their pups to professional trainers so that they can learn basic commands. This is especially the case when owners don't have enough time on their hands to conduct the task themselves.

Cats, on the other hand, don’t need training at all. Many are perfectly fit for apartments and might not even have to be house trained since they can usually tell where they are supposed to ‘go to the bathroom’. This makes them relatively low maintenance compared to dogs.

Cats don’t make as much noise as dogs

Dogs are lovable and they have a great personality, but they are so in tune with humans (historically, they’re the species we are most likely to bond with), that they can’t stop themselves from vocalising all the time.

Even though we don’t understand what they’re saying, they will try to communicate with us as often as possible. And if they are left alone, dogs can bark and whine all day, disrupting not just you, but your neighbours as well.

By contrast, cats are very quiet. While some are more talkative than others, they rarely make a lot of fuss. Plus, when they’re left alone, they usually sleep or play by themselves without making too much noise.

They cost less

Did you know that Australians spend around $1,500 a year on dogs and about $1,000 on cats? The data is from the Pet Ownership Report back in 2016, so the cost of owning and caring for a dog might have increased dramatically in the more recent years.

But the truth is that dogs vary a lot in terms of size, physical features, and various health conditions, and cats are much easier to care for financially.

Cats have their own health issues, it’s true, but they’re also less likely to get into trouble, such as eating something they’re not supposed to while out for a walk in the park - something that makes vet bills less expensive for this species, too.

They sleep for 15-16 hours a day

It might not sound like a great reason to consider a cat, but the truth is that they are so independent and do so well on their own that cat parents often complain about their pets not giving them enough attention.

The reason we mentioned this sleep pattern in cats is that they tend to be perfect for people who spend a lot of time out of the house for work. If you’re regularly at the office for 9-10 hours a day, that is a serious gap in your every day routine which might be a little more difficult for dogs to deal with.

Dogs tend to suffer much more when being left alone for so long, that’s why some dog owners have to get dog sitters and dog walkers for when they’re out for work. That, of course, adds up to the rest of the expenses of dog ownership.

And while it's true that cats can suffer from separation anxiety, it’s much less common for them than it is in dogs.

They‘re great for apartments

If you’re not a fan of the idea of waking up at 5 am to go out and walk the dog, a cat might be the perfect pet for you. Cats don’t have to be taken out for walks unless they really want to, in which case you could get a Multi Purpose Lead and a Soft Mesh Cat Harness.

Generally, cats are perfectly content to live in a 2-bedroom apartment, since this already gives them enough space to be happy. Dogs, on the other hand, are a whole different business. Some dog breeds are genetically designed to explore the outdoors (like hounds or working and herding breeds), and do much better in a house with a large yard or even on a farm.

Plus, if they don’t get enough exercise, dogs tend to get depressed. It can be heart-breaking for a pet owner to realise that they can’t care properly for their mate, and that they might actually have to give them up to somebody who can.

Cats have their fair share of exercise needs, but they get enough mental stimulation from play. Like dogs, they can also suffer from depression and lack of regular play can also lead to cognitive dysfunctions when they age, which means playing with your cat for at least 10-15 minutes every day is still necessary.

In the end, cats make excellent pets, especially for busy people who live in small apartments in cities. They’re easier to care for, make less noise, and they also relatively cost less compared to dogs. So the next time you consider having a pet (if you don't already have one), you might want to consider a feline bestie because they make great pets as much as their canine counterparts.