What animals make the best/worst pets?

Growing up, I didn’t have much of an opportunity to have pets except for my budgie PJ during high school. We were never allowed to get a dog or cat or even a bunny. PJ was cute and I enjoyed watching him fly around, chirping excitedly every time I let him out. There was a limit to our connection, and cleaning his cage wasn’t fun. Even so, it gave me some appreciation for pet ownership.

However, It wasn’t until I was an adult that I really started to appreciate the real passion people have for pets. First though, my older brother’s decision to get a puppy and later being introduced to my girlfriend’s cat, Bernie. Certainly, I can understand the appeal of a dog, the playfulness, and attachment. Yet, I feel like this attachment seems too often to become dependence, and the demands of grooming, regular walks, obedience training, and clean-up means it is a real lifestyle adjustment. In contrast, cats have always seemed like soothing companions that are self-sufficient and seem to fit in with our lifestyle. This is why we adopted Tilly last year.

A comforting companion

In a similar way to some dogs, cats are a real companion and a major source of comfort. There are a few things more relaxing I find than cuddling up on a blanket with Tilly, my hand lightly scratching her head as she purrs away. It is a perfect way to watch a movie on a frosty night. Add in those majestic eyes, which she gives me anytime I stop, and it is hard to resist feeling loved.

However, what makes cats the perfect companion is that they can easily enjoy their own company and solitude. We often find Tilly curled up outside in one of her favourite spots, enjoying the sun almost oblivious to our presence. It means that as a pet owner, we enjoy our time together but feel less guilty when we must go to work, knowing that she’ll be fine. The same can’t be said about a lot of dogs as there are often concerns about property and the animal’s welfare being cooped up all day. In this way, cats not only offer comfort and connection but also do not raise anywhere near as much stress as dogs, making them a better companion.

Elegance and grace

The most endearing quality for me of cats is their natural poise. These are animals that can land softly and glide into a room. It is a natural elegance of movement that I admire. Behind this elegance lies, claws and wicked agility demonstrate a sort of perfection in terms of natural evolution. In contrast, dogs seem cumbersome and depend on the breed out right clumsy. Now I guess for some people, this is endearing, but realistically, for me, it just seems like chaos. Even the way they show affection or interest running at people as they enter the room, licking is overbearing compared to lightly rubbing themselves softly against your legs. I know which I prefer, and it isn’t a bunch of slobbers.

Self-sufficient and intelligent

As I mentioned before, in general, cats are significantly more self-sufficient. They have an instinct to keep themselves clean and learn to bury their business. This means that caring for cats is much easier without much mess or smell filling your home. These habits and their ability to adapt to situations and problem solving to an extent suggest intelligence. Meanwhile, watching my brother’s dog repeatedly run into the same glass door at Mt’s parents’ house didn’t really fill me with the same level of respect.

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Overall, I could potentially see myself exploring a wider range of pets, something more exotic, like a lizard. However, this would be out of more interest than for a sense of companionship because I am definitely a cat woman.