The big question if cats or dogs are better has always been a massive debate. If you were to ask someone this question, they usually have a strong opinion or are neutral.
I believe that cats are better than dogs because they are honest and have very strong feelings, like a human. Although dogs also have these feelings, they don’t feel them as strongly as a cat would, as cats have a wider range of emotions than dogs do.
As someone with two cats and two dogs, I’d say dogs cause way more chaos within the household. Although both have shown me a diverse amount of emotions, my cats have proven themselves to be more patient and caring.
Diving into the scientific aspect, cats have been proven to reduce stress in humans by lowering levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and increasing levels of oxytocin (feel-good hormone). Introducing cats to someone when they are still very young can actually decrease the chance of them developing an allergy or even asthma. Additionally, the vibration of a cat’s purr is associated with comfort and has a calming psychological effect.
Cats are less demanding than dogs, but they require about the same maintenance as a dog. Cats are self-grooming, so you don’t usually have to worry about washing them unless they get genuinely dirty or sick. Cats don’t need to be let outside to go potty and can easily access litter boxes. While some people see cleaning out the litter box to be generally taxing, if you have a good sense of routine it shouldn’t be difficult to tend to it.
Cats are generally better in their kitten stage than dogs are in their puppy stage. You may be concerned about scratched furniture, but if you get a scratch post, the kitten will learn to scratch that instead.
Dogs are known to be very destructive when they are younger, destroying anything they can chew on. Potty training is another task that can be very stressful, and cleaning up accidents is never fun.
Cats are self-sufficient and can be left alone for long periods of time, as long as they have access to food, water and the bathroom. This is not an excuse to not pay attention to your cat, as some breeds of cats like siamese, maine coon, ragdoll and sphynx are very clingy and need a companion at all times to have a good quality of life.
Both cats and dogs are known to be good companions. At the end of the day, it really depends on the owner’s lifestyle, and everybody is different. But if you want a quiet life, get a cat.
