Are you a cat person or a dog person? It’s always seemed like such an odd dichotomy to me. It’s like when someone asks if you’re a Beatles or an Elvis person. They say that Elvis people are allowed to like The Beatles and Beatles people are allowed to like Elvis but apparently nobody likes them both equally. So it is with dogs and cats. Although many dog owners may have a fondness for cats and vice versa, popular myth would have us believe that absolutely nobody can like both equally. While you may have a natural affinity for dogs, when your son or daughter starts pestering for a pet, it behooves you to consider the potential advantages of a fluffy feline over a cuddly canine, especially when you have young kids…

Cats smell nicer and are generally neater

Okay, so this is more a consideration for Mom and Dad, but it’s hard enough keeping the home clean when accommodating small children. Dogs are wonderful companions but they’re also inherently smelly and messy creatures who need regular grooming to keep your home free of that infamous “doggy” smell. Cats on the other hand are famously neat and tidy creatures. So long as you keep on top of their litter tray and use an odor neutralizing cat litter cats can make for a cleaner, tidier and nicer smelling household.  

They invite less stress

Many are put off the idea of getting cats because unless you keep them as house cats there’s a strong likelihood that they’ll go missing and stay missing. This is something of a false flag as both cats and dogs have natural roaming instincts and both can be microchipped. If you’ve done this it’s far easier to find a lost cat. Not only do dogs slip their leashes and go on adventures of their own, they are also prone to fits of excited or territorial barking which can upset sensitive children or those of a nervous disposition.

Cats are less likely to maul visitors

Dogs are naturally excitable and inquisitive creatures. It’s part of why we love ‘em. But your visitors may not appreciate being pounced upon and covered in saliva and muddy paw prints as soon as they walk through your door. Cats on the other hand will keep a respectful distance and assess newcomers from a safe vantagepoint before sauntering over to receive their adoration.

It’s much easier to integrate a dog into a cat home

If you intend one day to keep cats and dogs, this is far easier to do when bringing a dog into a cat home. In order for a successful integration the cat needs to be inconvenienced as little as possible, and it’s far easier to manage a controlled introduction between a cat and a dog when it’s on the cats home turf where they are allowed to feel safe and in charge.

So the next time your kids start to ask you for a dog, talk with them about the advantages of a loyal feline friend.