5 Reasons to Welcome a Cat into Your Family

PIN FOR LATER

If you’ve decided it’s time to bring a pet into your family, your next decision is likely to be the old conundrum we humans have been debating for years; cat or dog – which is better?

Of course, both types of animal can make excellent pets, but only if they suit your home and your family’s lifestyle. Dogs are often referred to as our best friends, but they are a much bigger investment in terms of time, money and day to day responsibility. Cats are happy as long as they are fed something like this UPN cat food, and have a comfy place to sleep when they want to. By way of fighting the case for the felines, here are 5 big reasons why cats make excellent family pets.

1. Cats Are More Affordable

While buying a pedigree cat is likely to set you back quite a bit of money, the cost of caring for a cat over their lifetime is usually more affordable than owning a dog. Adopting a kitten or a cat from a shelter is usually cheaper than adopting a puppy or dog, and ongoing veterinary fees for vaccinations, flea treatments and check-ups are usually lower. The toys you buy for your cat will also be lower in cost and will last a lot longer, as dogs have a tendency towards destruction!

2. Cats Don’t Need Walking

If you have a job and a dog, you may need to factor in dog walking fees which can be £5 – £10 an hour or more. Cats can take care of the exercise they need all by themselves. It’s true that some people choose to keep their cats as indoor pets, and some take their cats for walks on harnesses to give them some time in the outside world. However, for most cat owners, walking your cat isn’t required.

If you’re nervous about letting your cat outside without supervision, you can get a pet tracker device which you attach to their collar to track their whereabouts. Visit Wired Smart for details and reviews for pet trackers.

3. Cats Are Clean

Cats are naturally clean animals and will look after themselves for the most part in terms of grooming. Dogs often require trips to professional groomers which can be pricey, or the very least they need a regular bath to get rid of all the dirt and smells they like to play in. If you have a long-haired cat, they may need a brush through from time to time, but that’s pretty much all that’s needed.

Toilet habits are also a lot easier to deal with when you have a cat. Outdoor cats will do their business outside somewhere and bury it, so there’s no need for you to be involved at all. Indoor cats need access to at least 2 litter trays in the house which you’ll need to clean for them, but it’s still a lot less hassle than walking a dog and collecting poo in a bag. Cats also provide a pest control service for your home and garden by catching creepy crawlies and small rodents.

4. Cats Are Smaller and Quieter

Even the smallest dog needs a good deal of space in your home for their bed, toys and general space to run around. A cat is not only physically smaller, but also requires a lot less space to be happy. They will do a lot of sleeping when indoors, so running around the house manically is a rare (albeit possible) occurrence. In many cases, even if you do buy a bed for your car, they prefer to find their own safe place to curl up like on top of a wardrobe or under a bed. Meowing and purring is also far less intrusive than the yelps, whining and barking you’ll be hearing from a dog.

5. Cats Can Have a Positive Impact on Health

Studies have shown that owning a pet can have positive effects on our health by reducing stress and even extending our lives. Purring has been found to help humans with relaxation and can have a therapeutic healing quality which can help human muscles and bones to recover after an injury.