25 Brilliant Reasons Why Cats Are Better Pets Than Dogs
There is a raging debate which has been quite perennial but many generally view dogs as man's best friend and cats to be aloof and showing less affection than dogs. Whether dogs are better than cats is a subjective opinion and the views differ from one person to another. The view that dogs are more loving to humans than cats is based on how much affection the animal shows towards a human but being better is another perception. Below are the reasons why cats are better than dogs.
1. Cats are clean
Cats are known for their cleanliness and there are several reasons why cats groom themselves. Apert from general cleanliness, cats groom themselves to protect themselves from the heat and the saliva contains enzymes that work as a natural antibiotic to heal wounds. Dogs on the other hand dogs generally stay in unclean areas such as garbage dumps and sometimes eat their own poop. Cats are relatively cleaner than dogs but dogs are not as filthy as thought too.
2. Cats are lower in maintenance than dogs
Cats are smaller animals than dogs and only weigh between 3.6 – 4.5 kg whereas a normal sized Labrador retriever, which is the most popular pet dog in the world, would weigh between 29-36 kg. Due to the smaller size and extreme agility, cats would only require a very small space which is as small as 1 1/2 feet. Dogs on the other hand require more space to bring up.
1. Cats are clean
Cats are known for their cleanliness and there are several reasons why cats groom themselves. Apert from general cleanliness, cats groom themselves to protect themselves from the heat and the saliva contains enzymes that work as a natural antibiotic to heal wounds. Dogs on the other hand dogs generally stay in unclean areas such as garbage dumps and sometimes eat their own poop. Cats are relatively cleaner than dogs but dogs are not as filthy as thought too.
2. Cats are lower in maintenance than dogs
Cats are smaller animals than dogs and only weigh between 3.6 – 4.5 kg whereas a normal sized Labrador retriever, which is the most popular pet dog in the world, would weigh between 29-36 kg. Due to the smaller size and extreme agility, cats would only require a very small space which is as small as 1 1/2 feet. Dogs on the other hand require more space to bring up.
3. Cats are less injurious than dogs
No matter how loving your pet dog is, it could suddenly attack you and could inflict serious injuries and even death. There have been cases of dog owners being mauled to death by pet dogs and according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC). Close to 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States alone. In an article published by heathline.com, Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year which is comparatively low with dog bites. I am not trying to say that cats are angels and dogs are devils, but cats are less dangerous than dogs. It should also be noted that rabies cases among cats are significantly lower than dogs. You should keep in mind as a rule of thumb, never go to pat any stray animal including cats if you suspect that the animal is acting awkwardly and if so, it could be carrying rabies and seek the help of the relevant rabies prevention authorities.
4. Cats are simpler than dogs
Both pet cats and dogs are loving animals and can be great companions for human beings but cats are less demanding than dogs and are aloof. Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
5. Cats smell better than dogs
In general, cats smell better than dogs because they groom themselves frequently. Although dogs have a strong sense of smell, cats have a less smelly coat. Some dog breeds have oily skin and a condition called Canine seborrhea could also cause oily fur in dogs which could cause a bad odour. Cats generally have a drier skin. Buth the animals can be kept clean by simply bathing your pet.
6. Cats are less violent
According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC). Close to 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States alone. In an article published by heathline.com, Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year and this number is very low compared to dog attacks. The most violent cat would not kill you but certain dangerous dog breeds such as pitbulls, Dogos and caucasian shepherds can even kill dog owners. Dogs and cats are violent with each other but in a fight, dogs would even go as far as to kill their opponent .
7. Cats are cheaper than dogs
A cat in the United States costs somewhere between 50$ to 1200$ and a dog costs as high as 80000%. You can get both cats and dogs for free from shelters but the cost of maintaining a cat is low but maintaining a dog is more as food, vaccination and other costs are higher too.
8. Cats do not kill their owners
There have been incidents where both cats and dogs attacked their pet owners but it is very rare to see a cat scratch turning nasty and needing medical attention. whereas dogs have been recorded to have killed their owner. A four month old infant named McKenzie Terwell was killed by the family dog in Dayton, Ohio. Around 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States and Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year.
9. Cats love indoors
Cats are indoor pets and love staying indoors. This is an advantage for people living in apartments and in houses with less garden facilities. Cats are ideal indoor pets.
10. You do not need to take a cat for a walk
Have you grumbled about taking your dog for an evening walk and if you are a cat person you would be relieved to know that unlike dogs, you are not required to take your cat outside for a walk. Cats are independent animals and do not require their owner to spoon feed them.
11. Cats are less troubling
Cats are independent and dogs are more dependent on their owners. This is a positive trait of a cat because during an emergency cats generally use their hunting skills to catch mice and other small animals for survival.
12. Cats do not worry people
Cats will trouble you like dogs if they are hungry or need attention, but it is comparatively less and dogs generally cause more mess in the house by biting the cushion and other furniture in the house.
13. Cats are less active than dogs
Cats tend to sleep more than dogs and they bother less.Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
14. Cats can be potty trained easily
Potty training a cat is easier than potty training a dog. Dog urine and poop has a stronger odour but with proper training you can both potty train dogs and cats as well.
15. Cats don't bark
A problem in having a dog is when it barks too loud.Dogs are good for guarding the house unlike cats which is a huge advantage but sometimes dogs just bark for no reason and this could be annoying for dog owners and can also keep a whole neighborhood awake. Cats on the other hand are quiet and should not be trusted at all for guarding a house.
16. Cats are cuddly
You can cuddle both your pet cat as well as your dog too. but cats can be easily cuddled due to their small size. Given the space you are living in, cats make a perfect companion for you to cuddle.
17. Cats eat less
You are only required to feed an adult cat once or twice a day and this is similar to dogs too but dogs need around 200 to 1350 calories depending on the dog and a cat on average only requires 180 to 200 calories per day. Keeping a cat is more cost effective.
18. Cats do not eat shoes and sofas
Dogs will chew on sofas, your shoes and even on other furniture materials which could be messy and cost you more but cats, apart from scraping the furniture, would do less damage to your valuables.
19. Cats sleep more
Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are famous for minding their own business and this trait is welcomed by some pet owners.Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
20. Playing with a cat is easier
If you are a lazy person who would just settle down by watching a movie, their is good news for you and your cat would just play with a simple thread or a key tag. Dogs are more energetic and generally prefer outdoor sports and games such as playing with a frisbee or a ball.
21. Cats have a lesser chance of infecting rabies
Although more cats have been found to have rabies in the United States, the numbers have decreased drastically over the years.The CDC mentions the following about rabies in dogs in their website,
"Sixty-three rabid dogs were reported in 2018, representing a 1.6% increase from the 62 reported in 2017. Most of the rabid dogs were reported from Texas (15), Puerto Rico (13), Georgia (7), Pennsylvania (5), Colorado (4), North Carolina (3), and Virginia (3). However, the percentage of dogs tested for rabies that were positive (0.3%) did not change compared to the mean percentage for the previous 5 years." (Source-https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/surveillance/domestic_animals.html)
And regarding cats, the numbers have decreased in the same period and this is what the website further says,
"The number of rabid cats decreased by 12.7% from 276 in 2017 to 241 in 2018. The percentage of cats tested for rabies that were positive (1.1%) was similar to that of the previous 5 years."
(https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/surveillance/domestic_animals.html)
Internationally, dogs account for 99% of rabies transmission in humans. The WHO website mentions the following,
"Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories. Dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans."
(Source-https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/rabies)
22. Cats take far less space
Cats can fit inside a small box and would sleep all day without bothering others . Dogs are more active and need more space to be kept and this could be disadvantageous if you happen to live in a small apce and having a dog can consume more space.
23. Cats catch mice and rats
Cats are natural hunters and are perfect when it comes to catching rodents. Younger cats are energetic and will almost completely reduce rodents troubling your house.
24. Cats are good pest controllers
Cats are amazing hunters and by using their instincts and claws, they are cost effective pest controllers who will hunt rats, mice, insects, lizards,geckos, cockroaches and more.
25. Cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners
A study by Carroll university in Wisconsin, USA found that cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners regardless of how intelligent the pet is. The research (Link-https://www.thebreeze.co.nz/home/must-see/2019/11/research-finds-cat-people-are-smarter-than-dog-people.html) said that more earlier studies have also proven that cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners. In an article published by thebreeze.co.nz about the research, it said,
"600 students were surveyed to identify personality traits and whether they loved cats or dogs. The survey revealed that cat owners scored higher in terms of intelligence, and were found to be sensitive and open-minded people, while dog owners tend to be more energetic, outgoing and rule-abiding people."
(Source-https://www.thebreeze.co.nz/home/must-see/2019/11/research-finds-cat-people-are-smarter-than-dog-people.html#:~:text=The%20survey%20revealed%20that%20cat,outgoing%20and%20rule%20abiding%20people)
Conclusion
Having a pet is a wonderful experience and both cats and dogs have their advantages and disadvantages. Whether dogs are better than cats or vice versa is based on the personal preferences of people and arguing over which animal is better has been raging for decades. This article highlights only the 25 reasons why cats are better than dogs and dogs too have a similar amount of reasons for being a better pet than a cat. At the end of the day what matters is the companionship your pet gives you and that is what will determine your likes and dislikes for a particular pet.
No matter how loving your pet dog is, it could suddenly attack you and could inflict serious injuries and even death. There have been cases of dog owners being mauled to death by pet dogs and according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC). Close to 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States alone. In an article published by heathline.com, Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year which is comparatively low with dog bites. I am not trying to say that cats are angels and dogs are devils, but cats are less dangerous than dogs. It should also be noted that rabies cases among cats are significantly lower than dogs. You should keep in mind as a rule of thumb, never go to pat any stray animal including cats if you suspect that the animal is acting awkwardly and if so, it could be carrying rabies and seek the help of the relevant rabies prevention authorities.
4. Cats are simpler than dogs
Both pet cats and dogs are loving animals and can be great companions for human beings but cats are less demanding than dogs and are aloof. Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
5. Cats smell better than dogs
In general, cats smell better than dogs because they groom themselves frequently. Although dogs have a strong sense of smell, cats have a less smelly coat. Some dog breeds have oily skin and a condition called Canine seborrhea could also cause oily fur in dogs which could cause a bad odour. Cats generally have a drier skin. Buth the animals can be kept clean by simply bathing your pet.
6. Cats are less violent
According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC). Close to 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States alone. In an article published by heathline.com, Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year and this number is very low compared to dog attacks. The most violent cat would not kill you but certain dangerous dog breeds such as pitbulls, Dogos and caucasian shepherds can even kill dog owners. Dogs and cats are violent with each other but in a fight, dogs would even go as far as to kill their opponent .
7. Cats are cheaper than dogs
A cat in the United States costs somewhere between 50$ to 1200$ and a dog costs as high as 80000%. You can get both cats and dogs for free from shelters but the cost of maintaining a cat is low but maintaining a dog is more as food, vaccination and other costs are higher too.
8. Cats do not kill their owners
There have been incidents where both cats and dogs attacked their pet owners but it is very rare to see a cat scratch turning nasty and needing medical attention. whereas dogs have been recorded to have killed their owner. A four month old infant named McKenzie Terwell was killed by the family dog in Dayton, Ohio. Around 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States and Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year.
9. Cats love indoors
Cats are indoor pets and love staying indoors. This is an advantage for people living in apartments and in houses with less garden facilities. Cats are ideal indoor pets.
10. You do not need to take a cat for a walk
Have you grumbled about taking your dog for an evening walk and if you are a cat person you would be relieved to know that unlike dogs, you are not required to take your cat outside for a walk. Cats are independent animals and do not require their owner to spoon feed them.
11. Cats are less troubling
Cats are independent and dogs are more dependent on their owners. This is a positive trait of a cat because during an emergency cats generally use their hunting skills to catch mice and other small animals for survival.
12. Cats do not worry people
Cats will trouble you like dogs if they are hungry or need attention, but it is comparatively less and dogs generally cause more mess in the house by biting the cushion and other furniture in the house.
13. Cats are less active than dogs
Cats tend to sleep more than dogs and they bother less.Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
14. Cats can be potty trained easily
Potty training a cat is easier than potty training a dog. Dog urine and poop has a stronger odour but with proper training you can both potty train dogs and cats as well.
15. Cats don't bark
A problem in having a dog is when it barks too loud.Dogs are good for guarding the house unlike cats which is a huge advantage but sometimes dogs just bark for no reason and this could be annoying for dog owners and can also keep a whole neighborhood awake. Cats on the other hand are quiet and should not be trusted at all for guarding a house.
16. Cats are cuddly
You can cuddle both your pet cat as well as your dog too. but cats can be easily cuddled due to their small size. Given the space you are living in, cats make a perfect companion for you to cuddle.
17. Cats eat less
You are only required to feed an adult cat once or twice a day and this is similar to dogs too but dogs need around 200 to 1350 calories depending on the dog and a cat on average only requires 180 to 200 calories per day. Keeping a cat is more cost effective.
18. Cats do not eat shoes and sofas
Dogs will chew on sofas, your shoes and even on other furniture materials which could be messy and cost you more but cats, apart from scraping the furniture, would do less damage to your valuables.
19. Cats sleep more
Cats generally sleep for around 18 hours per a day whereas dogs sleep for around 11 hours during a 24 hour period. Cats are famous for minding their own business and this trait is welcomed by some pet owners.Cats are less noisy and you are not required to take your cat for walks like your pet dog.
20. Playing with a cat is easier
If you are a lazy person who would just settle down by watching a movie, their is good news for you and your cat would just play with a simple thread or a key tag. Dogs are more energetic and generally prefer outdoor sports and games such as playing with a frisbee or a ball.
21. Cats have a lesser chance of infecting rabies
Although more cats have been found to have rabies in the United States, the numbers have decreased drastically over the years.The CDC mentions the following about rabies in dogs in their website,
"Sixty-three rabid dogs were reported in 2018, representing a 1.6% increase from the 62 reported in 2017. Most of the rabid dogs were reported from Texas (15), Puerto Rico (13), Georgia (7), Pennsylvania (5), Colorado (4), North Carolina (3), and Virginia (3). However, the percentage of dogs tested for rabies that were positive (0.3%) did not change compared to the mean percentage for the previous 5 years." (Source-https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/surveillance/domestic_animals.html)
And regarding cats, the numbers have decreased in the same period and this is what the website further says,
"The number of rabid cats decreased by 12.7% from 276 in 2017 to 241 in 2018. The percentage of cats tested for rabies that were positive (1.1%) was similar to that of the previous 5 years."
(https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/surveillance/domestic_animals.html)
Internationally, dogs account for 99% of rabies transmission in humans. The WHO website mentions the following,
"Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease which occurs in more than 150 countries and territories. Dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans."
(Source-https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/rabies)
22. Cats take far less space
Cats can fit inside a small box and would sleep all day without bothering others . Dogs are more active and need more space to be kept and this could be disadvantageous if you happen to live in a small apce and having a dog can consume more space.
23. Cats catch mice and rats
Cats are natural hunters and are perfect when it comes to catching rodents. Younger cats are energetic and will almost completely reduce rodents troubling your house.
24. Cats are good pest controllers
Cats are amazing hunters and by using their instincts and claws, they are cost effective pest controllers who will hunt rats, mice, insects, lizards,geckos, cockroaches and more.
25. Cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners
A study by Carroll university in Wisconsin, USA found that cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners regardless of how intelligent the pet is. The research (Link-https://www.thebreeze.co.nz/home/must-see/2019/11/research-finds-cat-people-are-smarter-than-dog-people.html) said that more earlier studies have also proven that cat owners are more intelligent than dog owners. In an article published by thebreeze.co.nz about the research, it said,
"600 students were surveyed to identify personality traits and whether they loved cats or dogs. The survey revealed that cat owners scored higher in terms of intelligence, and were found to be sensitive and open-minded people, while dog owners tend to be more energetic, outgoing and rule-abiding people."
(Source-https://www.thebreeze.co.nz/home/must-see/2019/11/research-finds-cat-people-are-smarter-than-dog-people.html#:~:text=The%20survey%20revealed%20that%20cat,outgoing%20and%20rule%20abiding%20people)
Conclusion
Having a pet is a wonderful experience and both cats and dogs have their advantages and disadvantages. Whether dogs are better than cats or vice versa is based on the personal preferences of people and arguing over which animal is better has been raging for decades. This article highlights only the 25 reasons why cats are better than dogs and dogs too have a similar amount of reasons for being a better pet than a cat. At the end of the day what matters is the companionship your pet gives you and that is what will determine your likes and dislikes for a particular pet.