“Have you noticed that more and more people are choosing to adopt cats, while the enthusiasm for owning dogs seems to have faded? After all, dogs are generally more obedient. So, why is there such a growing trend toward cats? What’s the secret behind this shift?”
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Cats Have a Greater Sense of Independence
When you live with a cat, it often feels like you’re neighbors sharing a space rather than close companions. You may play together occasionally, but most of the time, you simply coexist without disturbing each other. In fact, you might notice that over 80% of the “meows” you hear at home are probably coming from you, not the cat. They’ll likely only show affection when their food bowl is empty or when you come home to see what “prey” you brought back. Otherwise, they may not even acknowledge you. In contrast, dogs are the complete opposite! They seem to have no sense of personal space, as if the world revolves entirely around their owner. The moment you come home, they can’t wait to get close to you. No matter how tired or busy you are, they just want your attention and interaction. Imagine coming home after a long, exhausting day at work, only to be greeted by a dog eager to play. Over time, this can lead to feelings of irritation.
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Cats Are More Cost-Effective
Whether it’s time or money, owning a cat is much more budget-friendly. As mentioned earlier, cats are independent creatures, while dogs require constant companionship. This means you’ll need to spend more time with a dog. Just the daily walks are enough to deter many people, especially those living alone. Picture this: It’s early morning in winter, barely dawn, and your dog is whining to go outside for a walk. It’s undeniably painful! In contrast, cats are the complete opposite. On cold winter days, they prefer curling up in bed. If you don’t get up, neither do they – they’re all about being lazy. On the other hand, due to their size difference, the cost of caring for dogs and cats is in a completely different league. A dog’s meal can last a cat three or four days, and if you have a large dog, the difference is even more extreme. Plus, dogs are often more energetic and tend to go through toys faster. Over time, owning a dog can cost several times more each month than owning a cat.
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Cats Are Cleaner
Studies show that cats can groom themselves up to 500 times a day, which means they spend 30%-40% of their waking hours licking themselves. So, when you get close to a cat, it’s not hard to notice they usually smell nice. This is one of the main reasons why cat owners love being around their cats. Cats’ natural instinct to keep clean means they’re better at masking their scent. Most cats quickly learn to use the litter box and cover up their waste with just a few lessons. As long as their owner keeps the litter box clean, the house typically won’t have a strong odor. Dogs, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. They rarely lick themselves (but are happy to lick their owners). If not bathed regularly, dogs, especially larger ones, can develop a strong odor. Also, dogs don’t have a natural tendency to use the toilet, so you’ll have to take them outside multiple times a day.
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Cats Help Keep Pests at Bay
It’s no surprise that single women are more likely to own cats. Besides companionship, cats are natural pest controllers. They are born hunters, loving to track and catch their prey. From insects to rodents, almost any pest smaller than them is fair game. The only downside is that they might bring their catch to you as a “gift.” While they’re exceptional hunters, their hunting skills don’t pose a threat to their owners. In fact, due to their size, cats are much less dangerous than dogs. Though most dogs are emotionally stable, they may act aggressively if provoked, potentially causing harm to their owners.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that owning a cat is necessarily better than owning a dog; the key really depends on personal circumstances. However, due to lifestyle and living conditions, more people are choosing cats over dogs. I’m curious—how many of you have cats or dogs at home?
