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There are diehard cat people out there who will convince you that cats are the best, but those people are obviously biased. How can you tell if cats really do make the best pet for you? It’s a question that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no, but by the time you finish our unbiased article about whether cats make good pets, you should probably have a clear answer for your situation.
First, we will outline what kind of person makes a good cat owner, then we will go through the different pros and cons of cat ownership.
You Should Own a Cat If You…
1. Are a Cat Person
This may seem obvious to most people, but a person with a special affinity for cats will make a great cat owner.
Maybe your cat love isn’t so obvious. Perhaps a family member or close friend has a cat that you like, or you grew up around a cat, but haven’t thought much about them since. If you have good memories tied to cats, you may make a great fit as a cat owner.
2. Don’t Have Pet Allergies
Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.1 If you don’t suffer from cat allergies, it may just be fate!
In all seriousness, though, don’t adopt a cat if you are allergic to them, at least not before consulting with your doctor. Allergic reactions can change or worsen with time, and you don’t want to put your health at risk. Also not being able to interact with your kitty as much as you both need and give them the attention they require, will leave negative effects on both of you.
3. Understand Felines and Their Needs
In general, cats can come off as having very independent natures, sleeping most of the day and not relying much on human company. This often isn’t the case. Cats and their lifestyle are different from dogs in many ways but they still require an adequate amount of daily physical exercise and playtime depending on their age and health, mental stimulation, environmental enrichment, plentiful resources and human attention. Some people may prefer cats over dogs as they don’t seem as fussed if we are home or not, but they should still not be left alone for prolonged periods, and require all our care and love, as much as dogs do.
4. Are Ready For A Longterm Commitment
Owning a cat, although having somewhat different peculiarities and obligations than owning a dog, is still a great responsibility and requires a lot of time, patience and dedication. Since kittenhood, when it feels like a 24/7 job, making sure they don’t get into any trouble while getting them used to the way of life in your home, it continues being a commitment that most cat owners cherish. Besides the most obvious, such as providing your kitty with a complete and balanced high quality food, accessories such as cat beds, scratch posts, cat trees and toys, they also require regular veterinary care, to make sure they are healthy and happy.
The 5 Pros of Owning a Cat
Now that we’ve got the unpleasantries out of the way, let’s go over why it’s great to have a cat as a pet.
1. No Walks
Cats don’t need to be walked, which is a plus for some people. A cat is small enough to find your apartment or house suitable for walking around in. You may want to break out some cat toys for extra exercise, but cats generally get what they need on their own.
Unlike dogs who need to be walked every single day and require longer periods of activity, a properly enriched and stimulating environment will reduce this need in a cat. Cats tend to have shorter bursts of activity and playtime, and although some owners may take their cats out for controlled adventures on a harness and lead, most will fulfill this need themselves if given all the right resources and through playing with their human.
2. Part-Time Snuggler
When they’re in the mood for it, a cat can be very affectionate. They love to be stroked on their backs, around their ears, forehead and chin, and this can help calm you too. Nothing can beat scratching the neck of a purring cat!
3. More Entertaining than TV
Sometimes cats get in silly moods. Bring out a cat toy and be prepared to be entertained for hours! A cat’s quick movements and interest in fast-moving objects can be more fun than your favorite evening sitcom.
4. Personal Mouse Trap
Got mice or other pests? Cats can take care of that, too. In fact, this is why ancient Egyptians revered the cat above all other animals. Cats are natural hunters, and they will track down every small pest in and around your home, creating a cleaner environment for you.
5. No Garden? Not Necessarily A Problem
Cats can be fulfilled living an indoor life, if all of their needs are met. Primarily the need to exercise and exhibit natural behaviors such as stalking and pouncing, playing, using cat scratchers, cat trees, climbing on perches and window sills, and more. Some cats may live a combined indoor and outdoor lifestyle, getting the exercise they need this way, but if you don’t have a garden or your outdoor area is too busy with traffic, ensure your cat’s indoor environment is fun enough to stimulate them in every way.
A cat scratcher, like the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher, offers daily entertainment for your furry friend. This durable cardboard scratcher not only looks stylish but is also adjustable to three positions – high, low, and lower – ensuring your cat stays engaged and amused, helping to prevent them from getting into trouble or scratching things they shouldn't.
At PangoVet, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
The 6 Possible Cons of Owning a Cat
Owning a cat is not all rainbows and butterflies (though, if it were, cats would love to chase those butterflies). So, what’s not so great about owning a cat? Let’s get through the bad news first, although the bad may not be so bad if you ask most cat owners.
1. Cat Hair
When you own a cat, similarly to dogs, you may expect that everything you own could be covered in cat hair. You can decrease the amount shed by your cat with regular brushing or keeping your kitty out of the bedroom. The amount of shed hair is less in case of shorthaired cats, but there will always be some. For most cat owners, this doesn’t pose a significant problem, but for others, it can be a reason against owning pets.
2. Costs Associated With Owning A Cat
As already mentioned, owning a cat, like any other pet, comes with certain responsibilities and costs. From food and accessories, to veterinary healthcare, there are ongoing costs associated with having a cat and every future feline owner should ensure this is something they are ready for. Thankfully, many cats now live well into their teens and require our ongoing care and support during all of this time and this responsibility should not be taken lightly.
3. They Are Crepuscular
A cat may sleep for as long as 12-18 hours per day, depending on their age. They are crepuscular beings which means that your cat will be most active at dawn and dusk. If you’re a light sleeper, this could affect your sleep and make you pretty bleary-eyed in the morning. However, with proper exercise and environmental enrichment, especially before bedtime, this can be minimized and is not a real issue for most cat owners, especially when kittens grow up.
4. Different Body Language And Vocalization
Cats use their body language to communicate their needs. From the position of their body and tail, ears, size of the pupils to the noises they make, they will tell us if they’re feeling content, scared or annoyed. They often resort to meowing as a way to tell you that they expect to be fed, receive attention, play, go out, and finally get back in. Cats may also yowl if they are not spayed or neutered, particularly when they are in heat, or if they have suffered an injury.
For cat parents, these body language cues and various sounds cats make are entirely normal and often a way to bond with your kitty, but some people may struggle to understand their body language or may find the meowing unpleasant.
5. Litter Box Woes
They have a designated spot to “go,” but that spot can stink. Cleaning a litter box properly will help keep the smell down, but you’re probably going to notice it no matter what.
6. My Furniture Is Not a Scratch Post
Cats have a natural urge to scratch. If you don’t have a scratching pad or post available for your cat to use, they most certainly will scratch up something in your home that you likely do not want to be destroyed. Even with a scratch pad, they may favor your beloved couch and they will need to be redirected to a more enticing scratch post instead.
Is Having a Cat Worth It?
Having a cat is worth it if you like cats, their unique quirks and characteristics, as well as respect and understand their needs, their ways of communicating and are ready for such a rewarding commitment and responsibility.
Having a cat might not be the right call for you if you don’t think you will have the time for them, the means to ensure they have everything they require from high quality food, accessories to veterinary care, or if you can’t imagine pet hair in your home. You also may want to reconsider getting a cat if you have relatives or family members that live with you and suffer from cat allergies.
Once you weigh out all these aspects of cat ownership, you should have a better idea of if a cat makes a good pet for you and your family. Cats are great pets, but will one make a great pet for you? Only you have the answer to that question!
Featured Image Credit: Sarah Fields Photography, Shutterstock
