Cats or Dogs? Pros and Cons Explored

Pet ownership is rewarding. If the question comes up of whether to own cats or dogs, you’ll want to understand the pros and cons of each.

Pets bring us joy, companionship, and love in a unique way. If you want to see actual unconditional love at work, look into the eyes of a dog. When you want to enjoy a pet that will purr at you and rub up against your legs, a cat could be the right option.

Are you a cat person or a dog person? Let’s consider the pros and cons of cats and dogs as the right pet choices.

What are the pros and cons of owning a cat?

Pros

• Low Maintenance Typically, cats are extremely independent and don’t require a lot of your time and energy to maintain them. These animals groom themselves and can be trained to use a litter box in the house, which makes keeping cats pretty easy.
• Independent Nature Cats are well-known for being independent and capable of spending most of their time entertaining themselves. When considering cats versus dogs, you can leave a cat out in your home all day without worrying that they will have issues.
• Lower Exercise Needs Cats are typically more sedentary, especially once they get out of their kitten phase and have been fixed. Some cats love to play with some toys, but most will be relaxed and calm most of the day.
• Lower Space Requirements Most cats are smaller than dogs and live comfortably in smaller spaces. This means your small home or apartment could be the perfect home for a cat, making it easy to let a cat become a good pet for you.

Cons

• Scratching Behavior Cats have a natural instinct to scratch and have been known to tear up household furniture. If you have expensive leather furniture or other items you don’t want to be scratched up; you might not want to own a cat.
• Potential for Allergies Some people are extremely allergic to cats and can’t be around them. If you have family members with cat allergies, they won’t want to visit your home. This can be a serious problem if your children are allergic to cats.

What are the pros and cons of owning a dog?

Pros

• Unconditional Love and Companionship Dogs create deep and unwavering bonds with owners. These canine creatures thrive on attention from owners and respond to positivity and loving affection.
• Trainability Dogs are highly trainable, and many perform jobs that help owners daily. Dogs can be trained to help many people who need them for guidance and support. These animals are suited for obedience training and therapy work.
• Social Opportunities The social nature of dogs makes them much different from cats. You can’t take your cat to the park for walks or play in the dog park area. Dogs are great as social icebreakers and help form connections with others in the community.
• Active Lifestyle If you want a pet that will help you get off the couch and enjoy regular exercise, a dog is the right pet for you. Some dogs are extremely active and love to play fetch, go hiking, or go on runs with their owners. These activities can help dogs live longer.
• Emotional Support Dogs have been used repeatedly to provide emotional support to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The presence of a dog can make many people feel better. Dogs have been used for veterans with PTSD and as wonderful visitors to cheer up kids at children’s hospitals.

Cons

• Time and Commitment Dogs require more than just food and water to survive. You’ve got to put them outside to use the bathroom, build a routine, and might need to have a dog in a crate while you’re at work. This can take a lot of your time.
• Space Requirements You need to give most dogs lots of room to move around and offer access to outdoor areas for play and bathroom time. Some dogs are ok in apartments, but most require some outdoor access and playtime.
• Higher Maintenance Dogs require much more care and maintenance than cats. You must have dogs groomed and cared for, including trimming their nails and caring for their teeth. Dogs don’t groom themselves, which means they require regular bathing.

Will you choose cats or dogs to be your pets? Some people like to have both, but before you invite a dog or cat into your home, consider the pros and cons of each type of pet.