In this post, we look at seven pros and cons of owning a cat to help you decide if cats are the right pet for you or not.
If you are thinking of owning a pet, the thought of getting a ‘cat’ must have come to your mind. Cats are some of the oldest-known pets and are the second most popular pet in the USA.
A lot of people enjoy the companionship that pets bring to their lives, but when you think about owning a cat, that brings a whole new meaning.
And although having a cat in your home can be fun, it can also come with several problems.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Owning a Pet Cat
If you are thinking of sharing your home with a pet cat, you should know that it comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
And before deciding to adopt a kitty or buy a tomcat, you may be wondering what life may look like as a cat parent. There are obvious pros and cons of owning a cat, of course, just as it is with any other pet animal.
While some pros and cons of owning a cat can be based on your lifestyle and personality, and your cat’s personality as well.
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of owning a cat are outlined in the short table. And each of them is further discussed in detail below.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Low Maintenance Pet | Cats Shed Their Fur |
| Cats Are Affectionate | You Have to Clean the Litter Box |
| Cats Can Help Control Pests | Cats Can Damage Your Furniture |
| Cat Can Reduce Your Overall Stress | Vet Visits Can Be Expensive |
| Cats Are Entertaining | Cats May Not Obey |
| Cats Don’t Require a Lot of Space | Potential Cat Allergies |
| Cats Are Perfect for Children | Bidding Farewell Can Be Sad |
Benefits of Owning A Cat
Owning a cat can be a favorable choice for many reasons. Cats can be a great addition to your family, and if you are up for the responsibility of owning a cat, they can make affectionate long-term furry companions.
Here are some pros of owning cats:
Known as a Low Maintenance Pet
Unlike other pets such as a dog, cats are low-maintenance furry companions. They are self-sufficient, and they always keep clean by grooming themselves. As long as your cat has food, water, litter box, and some hooman love, she will be all fine.
Moreover, cats are independent creatures, and they do not require constant supervision. When it comes to hygiene, cats are self-care icons. Baths are rarely an issue with these animals, as cats like to keep themselves neat throughout the day.
Likewise, you don’t have to fill their water bowls more than once a day. Cats can go without a pet sitter for quite a long time if provided with enough cat food, water, and safety measures.
Cats Are Affectionate
Cats can be very affectionate when they are in the mood. In fact, a cat’s affection is earned rather than given to anyone they meet — which may be boring at first time with your new cat. You have to grow a bond with your cat, as their form of love is unique.
This is by far one of the best benefits that you can have by owning a cat in your house — it is companionship. Cats are loving, and they give you someone to talk to, keeping you entertained without needing any human interaction.
However, every cat has its way of showing affection, some may like to curl around your leg while you are cooking something, some cats may show affection by purring. All this means that cats feel loved and safe around.
After all, a curled-up, purring cat on your lap will make you feel good, even when everything else fails.
Cats Can Help Control Pests
Cats can be very helpful when it comes to managing pests. This is probably one of the reasons why humans domesticated cats thousands of years ago, to help manage the populations of invasive rodents and other pests.
And cats still love the thrill of chasing, catching mice, killing insects, and other small creatures. Since cats love to hunt so much, you can consider having a nice little furry friend in your home as a helpful pest exterminator.
They can keep the mice away in your home just by merely existing. And since mice fear the smell of cats, they will move to a more safe place, which is out of your house.
Cats Can Reduce Your Overall Stress Level
Some studies have shown some positive effects of having a pet cat at home. Pet interaction can reduce levels of cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone, and lower blood pressure as well.
On the other hand, animals can also reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and amazingly boost your mood. In return, this can reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
Moreover, even the presence of pets in the bedroom can have a positive effect on the sleeping environment in ways that could affect sleep. Having a cat always by your side can calm your nervous system, added to an immediate channel for fun and play.
Thus, owning a cat can be a rewarding experience that can also benefit your mental health.
They Are Entertaining and Can Make You Laugh
If you have ever seen funny cat videos on the internet, you know how entertaining cats can be. Observing a cat enjoying the thrill of chasing the laser point can be fun and relaxing at the same time.
Cats are fun and playful animals, and they would chase anything that moves. You can give them cat toys infused with catnip for extra fun.
Likewise, cats will find fun in anything, even if it is a piece of string or a cardboard box. No matter what, being a cat parent can never be boring.
Cats Don’t Require a Lot of Space
Cats don’t need a lot of space. You can leave a kitty cat unsupervised in a relatively small living space, like an apartment or a small house, for the course of the workday. You wouldn’t have to worry about the cat needing a walk or potty break.
As long as the temperature is ideal and a window in the room, your cat will be more than happy to live there.
Likewise, it can be a good idea to ensure that your kitty has several places to hide around the house, such as under the bed and behind the sofa. Cats like to hide in such places when they are spooked or when they just want to be left alone.
Getting a Cat Can Be Perfect for Children
Cats can be a great addition to your family, considering you have children.
They are one of the best pets for children! Cats can help children in many ways, such as kids can learn from cats how to empathize and take feelings into account. Moreover, asking kids to take care of a pet cat can make them more responsible and cooperative.
And when kids are around cats, we become more joyous and calm.
Cons of Owning A Cat
Apart from the good points of owning a cat, many first-time cat parents do not realize there can also be several downsides to finding a new cat and bringing it home.
Here are a few cons of owning a cat:
Cats Shed Their Fur
If you are really set on bringing a cat into your home, then be prepared for the cat’s hair to be everywhere in your house — furniture, sofa, clothes, bed, everywhere. Cat shedding is just one of the major obstacles to cat ownership.
Many cat owners report shedding as a major issue in their household, especially with long hair cats. Cats can shed for many reasons, they can shed in warm weather, or medical issues, or sunburn.
You will have to regularly brush and groom your cat to prevent the due shedding issue everywhere in the house.
You Have to Clean the Litter Box
On top of the cat shedding problem in your house, maintaining your cat’s litter box might be another thing keeping you from owning a cat. Furthermore, the litter boxes are usually stinky because of the cat’s pee and poo. Plus, their toilet is a litter box — it does not come with a flush.
But depending on the type of cat, certain cats such as outdoor cats may require less frequent litter changes. However, if you are going to own a cat, you will have to live with this.
Cats Can Damage Your Furniture
Yes, cats are coming for your furniture. If you didn’t know, cats love scratching, in fact, it is a normal, instinctive behavior in cats.
They have a need to scratch, and they may do so by expressing emotions such as excitement or stress, to mark certain objects with their scent. But they can also do this to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a complete stretch.
You may have times that not one single piece of furniture is safe from your cat’s claws. Yes, you can get a scratching post for your cat at home or try any other method of preventing her from scratching your furniture, but in all possibilities, your furniture is not safe around them.
Vet Visits Can Be Expensive
While still being a low-maintenance pet, a house cat can cost you a big-ticket. The bills from the vet visits can add up quickly in case your cat gets injured or sick.
Moreover, cats in their early and old stage need yearly vaccination, which can also be expensive. Plus, when your cat starts getting older, you will have to see your veterinarian more often for regular checkups, meaning additional costs.
Cats May Not Obey
Cats are strong-willed and can be stubborn at times. Unlike dogs, cats are harder to train, as they have a will of their own and sometimes may not listen to the call of their names.
Cats will go wherever they like, and they may not come at the call of their names even after making a lot of effort. Plus, they can also be finicky regarding when they want to spend time with you and when they want to spend time by themselves.
Potential Cat Allergies
It is also important to consider that many people are sensitive to pet allergies. In fact, cat allergies are pretty common, and you should take a test to check out whether you are allergic to cats. The same goes for your family.
If your nose is runny, your eyes are watery, or suddenly start sneezing when playing with your cat, you may have a cat allergy. It can likewise affect your social life, especially if you like having a lot of people at your home.
Bidding Farewell Can Be Sad
Sooner or later, you will have to say goodbye to your cat. This is probably the most difficult part of being a cat parent.
It can be emotionally challenging for you, particularly if your cat has become a valued family member for a long time. And anyone who has adopted a feline pal knows that the grief of losing their cat is inevitable.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, folks, a list of the biggest pros and cons of owning a cat! Having a cat as a family member can be great. That’s the fun side; you get to share your house with a furry companion.
But before you decide on getting a cat in your home, you should be aware of both advantages and disadvantages. More significantly, you should know what the disadvantages are of owning a cat.
If you think that the pros outweigh the cons, only then you should take the next steps involved in bringing a kitty into your house.
References
- Tips for New Cat Owners- PetMD
- The Most Popular Animals Owned As Pets In The US – World Atlas
- Top 5 Reasons You Should Own a Cat – Animal Kind