Man's New Best Friend
Though dogs may be considered “man’s best friend,” it is actually our feline companions that have been a part of our lives for over 4,000 years and currently far outnumber their canine counterparts as household pets.
Originally welcomed for their ability to help control rodent populations, Egyptians came to view cats so highly that they deeply mourned the deaths of their household cats. However, the cat’s history is not without peril. In the Middle Ages, religious leaders linked cats with the practice of witchcraft and countless animals were slaughtered. The sad irony is that, because of their aptitude for hunting rats, cats actually helped protect Europe from greater devastation during the plague epidemic.
Of course, in present times cats have become beloved family members, and they have replaced dogs as the most common companion animal in the U.S. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in 2006 there were 81.7 million owned cats in U.S. households compared to 72 million dogs. Though the number of households with dogs is close to those with cats, there are far more multi-cat homes. Many people mistakenly think that cats are solitary and asocial. When well matched, multiple cats can provide great exercise and companionship to each other, so it’s no surprise that many families elect to provide loving homes to more than one cat.
Despite their ever-increasing popularity, millions of cats still end up in shelters each year. In fact, most shelters across the country now house 3–5 cats for every dog, a complete reversal from 20 years ago. Unfortunately, many people still have the “Oh, it’s just a cat” attitude. Of course, we know that cats make wonderful pets, and we are trying to spread the word.
Pros of Cats
Talk to any cat owner and they’ll quickly rattle off all the reasons that cats are better than dogs. While we at The Anti-Cruelty Society think there are many pros to both types of pets, there are certain attributes that undeniably make cats more appealing. For people who often travel or work extended hours, cats may be a much better fit. Though most cats do thrive on human attention, they are also quite independent and do not have the level of daily care needs that dogs do. Cats are fine being alone for a full day without a caregiver as long as they are provided with adequate food and water. Also, since cats are litter-box trained and safest when kept only indoors, cats will maintain their own scheduling when it comes to bathroom use. Unlike dogs, there is no need to be home from work at a specific time in order to prevent lapses in house training. The fact that cats don’t need to—and in fact shouldn’t—go outside is especially welcome in a city with temperatures as extreme as Chicago’s!
Cats can be ideal pets for apartment and condo living. In addition to their small size, even the most vocal cat is far less disruptive than a barking dog. For this reason, many landlords allow cats but have restrictions on dogs. In addition to basic supplies like food and water bowls, cats also need scratching posts and toys, but cats and all their amenities take up far less space than their canine counterparts. Cats also take care of the bulk of their washing and grooming needs, so there is no need for the added time or expense of a bath or professional groomer. Not only will cats save you money at the groomer but, because of their size, the cost of their food and veterinary care is typically less than those of dogs. Perhaps the biggest pro in the cats versus dogs debate is that cats often live longer than dogs, so that means more years with your beloved companion.
Scott Cabot had always been a dog owner, until he recently adopted two cats: “My wife and I always had dogs. After our two West Highland terriers passed away we were heartbroken. It was the first time in ten years that we were without pets. We knew we weren’t ready for another dog because we didn’t want a substitute for the dogs we just lost.
I had never owned a cat before, but we decided we wanted to adopt a cat. We wanted a younger bonded pair of cats, so they would keep one another company. After my business partner investigated The Anti-Cruelty Society’s cats, he told me about a bonded pair of siblings, Sonny and Daisy. My wife and I went to the shelter to meet the cats and immediately fell in love.
It’s amazing how dog-like our cats are. I was thoroughly surprised how much cats break the cat stereotype. They are extremely affectionate and very social, they greet us at the door, they follow us from room to room, and they jump in my lap just like our dogs used to. They are the perfect pet and a great alternative to dogs. And you don’t have to be on a schedule with them. It’s okay if you have to stay at the office later than normal. They are so much less work. Plus, they are less expensive, easily entertained, and less demanding of your time. Our cats have made a very strong imprint on me and have completely changed all cat stereotypes that I may have had before.”
Why chose between a dog and a cat? Why not both? Despite a common myth that dogs and cats are like oil and water, there are many true stories of cats and dogs living happily together. Jill Egan has two cats and a dog. All of her pets, specifically her dog and her male cat, love one another and live harmoniously under one roof. Jill had this to say: “Out of our three pets, Otto, our dog, and our male cat, Homer, get along the best! They play, wrestle, chase each other, and even take naps together. They are perfect for one another as they both have rambunctious personalities.
Our other cat, Marge, is happily left out, she's far happier sleeping in the sun in total solitude. They are all great with one another. Adopting our dog was the best thing for all the furry babies in our house. Homer has the playmate he always wanted, and Marge gets some peace and the alone time she always wanted!”
Benefits of Owning/Living with a Cat
Though cats may depend on their owners to provide them with care and compassion, it is not a one-way street. In addition to unconditional love and companionship, cats provide their owners with a myriad of other benefits. Some of these include a lower risk of heart attack, improved functioning of the immune system, decreased chance of developing allergies, helping to prevent asthma in children, reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, reduced stress and anxiety, and help with depression. Additionally, in recent years it has been noted that having a cat can actually help children with autism. Since autism is marked by difficulty with social interaction and communication, cats (and dogs) can be instrumental in therapy for autistic children. Due to all the ways in which cat ownership can help with one’s overall health, it’s no surprise that people who own cats typically live longer than individuals that live in homes without pets.
Individuality of Cats
So hopefully you are now considering adding a cat to your family—congratulations! Our staff often hears, “Cats are all alike,” and nothing could be further from the truth. With the wide range of personalities and breeds available, there is surely the right cat for any living situation or household dynamic. Although each breed of cat has some distinct characteristics, each individual cat has his or her own unique and complex personality. This is why, when adopting, it is important to spend some time with your potential new companion.
Our staff and volunteers try to get to know each cat—no easy task when we have anywhere from 250 to 600 cats at a time—and describe the cat’s personality on our adoption page. However, many cats are stressed in a shelter (or any new environment, since most cats live indoors and seldom have play dates or walks), so their true personality may be hidden behind their shyness. In an effort to help every cat adjust to the shelter, we provide them with an in-house designed and built perch and hide spot combination.
Even kittens from the same litter will have distinct personalities as they grow. Leslie Frenk learned this when she adopted litter mates, Leah and Gary from the Society in 2009:
“When Leah and Gary came home with us from the Society at the age of 2 months, we expected they'd be shy at first and might take some time to adjust to their new surroundings. We couldn't have been more wrong! They immediately began exploring our household, playing with toys, and curling up with us for naps and belly rubs. As a young couple that loves to entertain, we are lucky to have such outgoing cats, but their personalities couldn’t be more different.
Leah’s infamous party trick is to climb up on the shoulders of an unsuspecting guest to get a better view of the festivities, a habit she's displayed from her first day home. She likes to "participate" in your daily routine, viewing the day's activities from your vantage point, and we've become adept at brushing our teeth, cooking, and working at the computer with a cozy tagalong. Although she has become a loyal sidekick, she certainly isn't much of a lap cat, instead preferring to lounge in "her” chair, often in odd contortions, earning her the title "Yoga Kitty.”
She is an incredibly sweet and affectionate girl and loves to give kisses. Gary is a very intelligent and vocal fellow. A day home "alone" with him certainly isn't lonely, as he'll carry on lengthy conversations with you as if he understands every word. Step foot in the kitchen, and he's right by your side, vying for his favorite cat treats with a few canned tricks and "foot rubs." When it comes to play, Gary loves a feather wand and amazes us with his acrobatics.
We can even justify skipping the gym, running laps around our living room with Gary in hot pursuit!
Gary also cares for the environment, loving to play with recycled household goods, particularly navigating puzzles made of toilet paper rolls and egg cartons in pursuit of treats. By far, his favorite toys are the plastic rings from the neck of a gallon of milk!
We are very blessed to have found such unique individuals, and they have brought us joy every day since joining our family. They provide us with unending love and affection and consolation after a long day. We've enjoyed watching their personalities develop from kittenhood to adults and at the age of two, we look forward to many more happy and healthy years ahead!”
Now that you know that cats really are “man's new best friend,” visit our website and find one for yourself at www.anticruelty.org/cats.
