by Jennifer Paige

Created on: October 22, 2007

Cats definitely make better pets than dogs. Dogs do provide their human friends a sense of protection, opportunities for exercise, and constant companionship. However, cats make superior pets for a number of reasons:

1. Cats don't smell as much as dogs and require fewer baths. Along with this, they don't leave everything in the house smelling like animals.

2. Cats don't eat out of the trash or the litter box.

3. Cats don't snatch food out people's hands or beg. Occasionally, one of my cats will get on the counter to try to sneak away a piece of turkey or chicken, but they don't beg.

4. Cats can be left unattended for longer periods of time because they will stop eating when they are full. Dogs will eat until they throw up.

5. Cats can be left unattended for longer periods of time for another reason: they don't get as upset by your absence. Dogs will destroy all your belongings if they feel abandoned. Cats are content to be by themselves.

6. Cats are not usually perceived as a threat. Dogs who get off their leash or escape your yard may evoke strong emotions in a neighbor or passerby. If a cat escapes, people don't seem to care as much, if at all.

7. Cats don't have to go outside to go potty. They can use a little box with almost no training other than showing them where it is.

8. Cats don't bark or howl; they are much quieter. Even when they meow, it is highly unlikely that your neighbors will hear them.

9. A cat's purr is so relaxing and cats give good massages when they knead you.

10. They cost less money. For food, health care, toys, grooming, boarding, etc.

Our family includes four dogs, two cats, and a guinea pig. We have had both cats and dogs for a long time. While I love my dogs, they cause so much more stress than my cats. The dogs are always doing something they shouldn't. If it is not one dog, it's another that is getting into trouble. The cats' worst offense, on the other hand, is sleeping in the laundry basket of clean clothes.

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