You may have heard that a dog is man’s best friend. There is also a lot of talk out there that dogs are the best pets you can own. But we tell you what, cat owners will disagree.
About one-third of households in the United States have a cat, and for very good reasons. Cats are the most popular pet. While there are 74 million dogs in the United States, there are 88 million cats.
For all of you cat lovers out there, you have always known that cats make great pets. But if you have never owned a cat, you might be wondering what all the fuss over cats is all about. Earthwise Pest Management, your rodent control service in Sacramento, offers the reasons why cats make great pets.
Cats are Great for Rodent Control
Cats are an amazing asset to have to protect your home from rodents. Keep in mind that if you have an infestation, one cat isn’t going to make much difference.
Cats are so good at rodent control that New York City has gone from trying to rescue the number of feral cats in the city to actually releasing more of them into the city for effective rodent control.
It makes total sense as cats and mice are the quintessential predator-prey duo.
Fewer Allergies
It might be too late for you, but having a cat could help your kids have fewer allergies. Studies show that children who are exposed to cats at a very young age are less likely to develop allergies. High cat exposure appears to protect against pet allergies as well as other types of common allergies.
Better Sleep
There are several studies that found people prefer to sleep with their cats instead of their partners. The main reason is that they say they sleep better. Experts say they are onto something.
Companionship
The stereotype that dogs make better companions than cats is just that: A stereotype. As it turns out, cats are just as good companions as dogs. One study concluded that having a cat in the house is very much like having a romantic partner. Which goes a long way in explaining why single older women tend to have a lot of cats.
It took thousands of years of domestication, but cats have mastered a purr/meow noise that sounds a lot like a human baby’s cry. We are programmed to respond to a child in distress, which is why it is impossible to ignore a cat when it needs something.
Healthy Heart
Owning any kind of pet is good for your heart. But owning a cat will lower your stress level. This could be because they don’t require the attention dogs need. After all, you don’t have to take your cat for a walk or give it a bath. Plus, petting a cat has a definite calming effect.
One study found that over a 10-year period, cat owners were 30% less likely to die of a stroke, or heart attack compared to people who are catless.
Coping
Owning a cat is one of the best ways to cope when losing a loved one. It has been shown that cats help people get over their loss more quickly. Cat owners also show less physical symptoms of pain, like crying.
They might only be animals, but cats serve as social support during times of extreme sadness.
They are Independent
Cats are naturally independent and they require little supervision. You can’t say that about your dog who will get in the trash the second he thinks nobody is watching.
So if you are a workaholic or otherwise away from your home for long periods of time, a cat makes the ideal pet.
Housebroken
Cats will come into your life pretty much already potty trained. All you need to do is set up the litter box. Your dog will need to be trained not to use the floor as their bathroom.
They Entertain Themselves
A cat will sit at a window for hours just staring out into the yard. When they are done with that, they take a quick bath and then take a nap. Your dog will follow you around like a, well, like a puppy dog wanting you to give him attention.
If you have a rodent problem and don’t own a cat, give Earthwise Pest Management a call.