Benefits of Adopting a Cat
Whether your family has kids that are asking for a pet and you’re deciding on getting a dog or cat, or if you’re deciding whether having a pet at all would be a good idea, there is a laundry list of reasons why adopting a cat is a great idea.
If you’re looking to add a new furry family member to your clan, consider that you can do more than just go to a pet shop and buy one. Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.
You’ll be Saving a Cat’s Life
Sadly, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. If you choose to adopt a cat instead of buying a new one at the pet store, you’ll be saving a cat from this unfair fate and you’ll be opening up a new spot at a shelter for another cat to be taken in from the streets.
Cats are Lower Maintenance than Dogs
When it comes to having pets, cats are considerably lower maintenance than dogs. Dogs need higher levels of companionship, daily walks, they need to be let out to relieve themselves, more training including bark control, and more. While they do make amazing pets that are loyal to you and your family and can be helpful, dogs do need more interaction and hands-on guidance.
Cats are able to relieve themselves on their own, without you needing to come home and let them out. They don’t require daily walks, as long as you provide plenty of toys, scratch posts, surfaces, and places for them to climb. That means adopting a cat won’t be as big of a disruptor in your daily routine as bringing home a dog. For people with full-time jobs and families with a lot going on, like sports, extracurricular activities, and more, you can rest easy knowing your cat is self-sufficient without needing all the extra time that dogs do.
They Provide Health & Social Benefits
Owning a pet has a laundry list of benefits. According to studies and research, it can lower your risk of heart disease, decrease blood pressure, keep depression and loneliness at bay, decrease triglyceride levels, and even boost immunity.
Having a pet will help teach your kids responsibility and compassion. It will give them an experience that may connect them to other kids who are also pet owners, giving them something to connect on socially.
They Enrich your Life
Let’s be real, having a pet just makes life better for everyone! It’s the difference between coming home to an empty home and coming home to a cute, furry face, excited to see you and looking to be pet and loved...and yes, fed. If you’re going to add a pet to the family, cats have plenty to offer and can be a great way to bring your family together as you all play, care for and spend time with the new cat.
