Cats Vs Dogs: Why Feline Could Be Best For Your Family
*This is a collaborative post
Cats vs dogs. It’s a debate that’s raged since the start of time. Films have been made about it, friendships have been destroyed by it, and your family pet choices could hinge on this alone.
For some reason, we often default to dogs when we’re considering the best family pets. They’re interactive, cute, and more likely to become part of the family, right? Perhaps not. Countless cat owners actually find that four-legged feline friends are better for family life, especially where young kids are concerned, and we’re going to look at why.
All the lessons with less of the pressure
Pets are fantastic for teaching kids lessons, including care, responsibility, and even socialisation. Where dogs are concerned, though, these lessons come alongside pretty requirements. Yet, those same lessons are possible with cats, with much simpler care responsibilities. After all, cats groom themselves, take themselves out for walks, and probably won’t bat an eye when left alone. All you need to do as owners is provide litter trays, cat beds like the ones you can find here, and regular vet cecks. These simplified care needs can prove life-savers when you’re already dealing with a busy family home. Yet, making sure that your kids take time to stroke, feed, and water your cat can still see them learning a great deal from the relationship.
A generally safer set-up
As any cat-scratched owner will tell you, felines can be plenty feisty, but the risks you can expect here are still generally lower than with the majority of dogs. Dogs and children can be such a dangerous mix, in fact, that many experts advise never to leave young kids alone with canine companions for extended periods. After all, one nasty bite could lead to disaster. By comparison, cats are far more likely to walk away when your kids are annoying them, and the ability to get outside on their own ensures that they have their own child-proofing mechanisms. All you need to do is teach your youngster not to pull at your feline friend, and all should be calm.
Love that needs to be earned
While there are exceptions to the rule, most dogs are willing to give their love for a treat and a belly rub. Cats, however, can take much longer to warm to human contact. Though this fact may irritate your youngsters to start with, it will also enhance their socialisation and care skills as they realise that felines typically take a little more work. They’ll have to commit themselves to gaining trust, getting lap strokes, and generally winning their place in your cat’s good graces. Not only will this be a fantastic learning curve, but it will also make this relationship much firmer once it’s finally won.
We aren’t saying that one is better than the other (Mike would kill me!) but you might want to think twice before getting a family dog just because everyone else does. You could just find that a cat can fit far better into your family.
