It’s a debate that many people have all the time, with cat lovers saying that their feline friends are far superior to dogs. Obviously, you also have a strong contingent of dog lovers that boldly claim dogs are much better pets than cats.
So, which is it?
In all honesty, there’s no right or wrong answer. Both make excellent pets, though one might suit your family better than the other. To make the right decision, it helps to know some of the pros and cons of both cats and dogs.
The Advantages Of Cats
We’ll start with these little furry felines – what’s so great about them?
Almost no training is required
Cats do not require a lot of training at all. In fact, the only thing you need to teach a cat is to pee or poo in a litter tray. They pick up on this extremely quickly, especially when they are kittens. Other than that, you will never need to train your cat to sit, roll over, be quiet, etc. Cats just kind of do their thing, while dogs require much more training. You’ll likely spend hours pouring over a dog magazine learning tips and tricks to train your puppy to do very easy things. So, if you don’t want a pet that requires lots of training, a cat is good for you.
Can be left alone
You could leave a cat by itself for days on end, as long as you provided water and food. These animals are very independent – they basically do whatever they want. If you have a cat flap on your door with food and water available, you can head to work without worrying about your cat being alone for a few hours. They’ll eat, go outside, do a bit of hunting, snooze under a car and come back home whenever they feel like it.
By contrast, dogs require more attention. You can’t leave one alone for more than a few hours or they start getting anxious and agitated. Therefore, you’d need someone to look after them while you’re at work and the kids are at school – which could be a problem. Cats might suit families with busier schedules and lots of extra commitments.
Very easy to look after
Looking after a cat is far easier than looking after a dog. As already mentioned, these animals are very independent. This means they go out and about by themselves all the time – a cat will basically dictate its own schedule. In turn, you don’t need to go and walk your cat every single day. With dogs, regular walks and playtime need to be scheduled to keep them fit, or they will just laze around doing nothing.
If you have kids, getting a pet that’s really easy to look after and requires almost no work on your behalf could be advantageous.
The Advantages Of Dogs
On the other hand, what benefits can dogs throw up that cats do not provide?
Often more affectionate
Dogs tend to be more affectionate animals than cats. Some cats do enjoy being stroked or coming to sit on your lap, but not all of them. By contrast, it is rare to find a dog that will not be desperate for your love and attention. They will always come to you when they want some love – and you get some truly special moments with them.
If you go away for a few hours, your dog will show you how much they missed you. They’ll come running to the front door, barking away and wagging their tail. A cat is less likely to do this and will probably act like they didn’t notice you were gone.
Stronger bonds are formed
Similarly, you and your family are more likely to form a strong bond with your dog. They truly become part of your family – and they act like it. There’s something special about calling your dog and seeing them come to you all the time. Yes, dogs require a lot of training, but in doing so you form a really strong connection to them.
Can you have a strong bond with a cat? Absolutely. But, it is usually harder to do so. As such, if you want a family pet that feels like a new member of the family and can give your kids a genuine friend, a dog might be the better bet.
Can do more things together
Cats are low-maintenance, but this isn’t always a good thing. It might benefit you if you don’t have the time to look after them, but it can be boring if you do have lots of free time. Dogs give you so many more things to do. When you have a dog, you can never truly be bored. If it’s sunny outside, you can take them on a long walk with your family, enjoying the weather. It’s fun going to parks with dogs or just playing games with them.
Yes, some cats will play games with you, but usually when they’re kittens. As they grow older, they become more relaxed and are likely to just laze around waiting to be stroked. Granted, this is very enjoyable, but a dog can take part in so many more activities throughout its life.
Dogs Or Cats – Which Ones Make Better Family Pets?
As stated earlier, there is no right or wrong answer! The key is looking at the advantages of both and figuring out which one suits you and your family’s lifestyle. Do you want a pet that doesn’t require a lot of care or attention? Are you looking for something that suits your busy lifestyle? If so, cats are better family pets because they can go off and do their own thing. At the same time, they still provide you with a lovely pet that can be keen for attention now and then.
On the other hand, what if you wanted a pet that keeps you active? Do you want something that will form a really strong bond with your kids? If so, dogs are better. It all depends on your family and your lifestyle!
