My Feline Affections; Or, Why I Love Cats

I've never been a big fan of the cat person-dog person labels. Why can't we love both? Don't get me wrong; I love dogs. I grew up with dogs. My mom was allergic to cats and was often spewing anti-cat propaganda ("Litterboxes are disgusting!" and "Cats are so lazy and don't really care if there are people around or not," are just a few examples). And yet, once I discovered that cats are actually really nice and that litterboxes aren't as bad as scooping doggy poo, I converted. I became a cat person.

Why cats?

They're cuddly.

Some dogs like to cuddle, but I find that cats are far more cuddly. Dogs would rather lick your face than give you a hug. Not all cats are cuddly, I know, but many are!

They're quiet.

Quiet is relative. Although my kitten Wesley is always whining and is very loud by cat standards, compared to a dog's bark he's barely whispering. Dog barking, on the other hand, can be so loud when in close proximity that it hurts my ears.

They don't need to be let outside to poop.

If dogs used litterboxes, I think more people would have them. If you are a busy person or have a full-time job, having a dog can be really difficult. Many dogs just can't wait eight hours without pooing or peeing. Cats just do their duty, bury it (well, most of the time... I've got one kitty who needs to work on that), and go about their business. You scoop it up when you get home, and you don't have to worry. With a dog, you have to let it out in the yard or take out on a leash, bring little baggies along to pick up the poop, and bring the dog back inside. If it's muddy or wet outside, they might track dirt and mud all over the house.

They purrrrrr!

Nothing is more relaxing to me than the gentle rumbling of a contented kitty. When they purr, they let you know that they are happy, relaxed, and loved. I really don't know where my mom got the idea that cats are apathetic towards their owners! Mine won't leave me alone when they want attention!

They are relatively low-maintenance

If you have an indoor cat (which I hope you all do because it's better for them!), you don't need to bother with flea and tick repellents and the like. If your cat eats basic dry food, you can leave for a weekend without worry as long as enough food and water are available. If you like to have people over for dinner, you don't have to worry about a guard dog "protecting" you as they walk in the door or a scavenger begging for scraps from the table. Cats are oftentimes more laid back and easier to care for. Now, I'm not saying that they require less care per se; I'm simply stating that they are easier to take care of, in general.

Now, I'd like to reiterate, I still love dogs and I'd like to have one someday. You can't exactly take a cat out for a jog, and dogs will always have a special place in my heart. Also, not all dogs and cats are the same. Some cats act like dogs, and some dogs act like cats. Some cats and dogs are just weird, like my kitten who wants to hang out with our guinea pigs and eat their hay.

Still, after falling for a feline, I think I can safely say I am indeed a "cat person".