The long-fought war between dog and cat lovers is still ongoing. Dog people claim dogs as “man’s best friend”, while cat lovers claim loving cats requires a certain appreciation for individual autonomy. While these paradigms are a couple ways to look at the issue, there is also the extroverted dog versus introverted cat debate. Regardless, all animal lovers can agree that animals improve our lives. 

According to Forbes, 66% of households own pets, and of those 66%, 46.5 million households have cats. While dogs beat them out for the majority, 46.5 million is no small number. 

Cats are great pets to have in apartments as they are small, relatively quiet, independent, and clean. After a long day at work, a cat will welcome their owner’s presence, happy to lay on a lap or a nearby bed as their human winds down from the day. 

For those who experience trepidation about cat ownership due to fear that the cat might bite or scratch them, consider adopting a kitten. Kittens, new to the world, will more often than not attach to their owners and see their humans as the center of their world – not unlike dogs. While puppies require round the clock supervision, cats can be left on their own for hours and days at a time. 

Given food, water, and a clean litter box cats will thrive. But that doesn’t mean they like being left solely to their own devices. Owners are encouraged to enrich their cat’s life by playing with them, offering them lots of space to roam, and stimulating them with catnip and treats. 

There is a high level of satisfaction that comes from having a cat’s love. The love of a cat must be earned through consistency and appreciation. While there are definitely exceptions on both sides, and no species is a monolith, cats tend to warm up to those who care for them. 

Owners will often find themselves “trapped” with a cat on their lap, wanting to soak in every bit of affection their cats willingly choose to shower them with. It’s difficult to make a cat do anything it doesn’t want to do, so when they show their love through soft meows, gentle headbutts, lap time, and purring it can feel like winning the lottery. 

If anyone is curious to learn more about cats there are ample opportunities to do so. The Netflix documentary “Inside the Mind of a Cat” is a great place to start. In this documentary, the film goes into detail about the beauty of the feline species and how much is going on inside them at any given time. Even for those who feel like they know everything there is to know about cats, this documentary may still reveal more.

For those lucky enough to adopt an older cat who is very affectionate, or raise a sweet kitten, they will find they struggle less with depression and anxiety. Having a pet, especially when living alone, can increase oxytocin and serotonin levels. According to “Health Benefits of Having a Cat: 6 Science-Based Facts” the purring of a cat can help alleviate stress. 

“Who doesn’t appreciate the purring of a cat? This sweet feline melody takes us into absolute relaxation. You feel soothed, calm, and good about yourself as soon as you stroke your companion,” states the article. “You’ve probably already noticed that you feel a lot better after a long day at work when your furball comes snuggling up against you, don’t you? What’s even better is that the therapeutic benefits of a cat purring have been scientifically proven, and the discipline even has a name: purr therapy. “

According to “How Cats Can Help With Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health”, “Cat ownership is associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and improved mood. In addition, cat owners have been found to laugh more frequently and spontaneously than non-owners, particularly in response to something their cat has done. 

Cats are funny animals. If you’ve watched cat videos you would understand that cats can make you laugh and smile, raising your serotonin. There is a reason cats are considered a therapy animal and a reason cat videos are so plentiful and are some of the most watched content on the internet. 

So while statistics show that Americans prefer dogs to cats, cat ownership operates on its own level. Dogs are comforting, reliable, and loyal companions, but don’t discount the love of a cat. 

For those who work and go to school, but want a pet, consider a cat. Without having to worry about a pet-sitter or someone to let your dog out in the middle of the day, owning a cat will provide animal lovers with equal benefits and less stress.