Why cats are better than dogs: 16 reasons you need to hear

Calling all cat people and keen feline house sitters! Are you the first to get your claws out, raise your heckles and hiss through your teeth (or thereabouts) if so much as a whisper is uttered against your clearly perfect kitty in favor of a - gulp - dog? Well we hear you, and we feel your pain. That’s why here, we’re jumping (paws-first) into the cats vs. dogs debate, settling it once and for all. All you need to do is sit tight and stay exactly where you are in this ever-friendly (but not over-friendly), feline-fanatic filter bubble as we explore why cats are better than dogs.

Why are cats better than dogs?

As anyone who’s ever pet parented both cats and dogs will know, cats make much better pets. Lower maintenance, quieter, more hygienic and even repelling rodents from your home, the debate is a no-brainer. But for those who need convincing (or simply want their opinions echoed straight back around), explore our 16 reasons why cats are better than dogs below.

1. Cats take up less room 
2. Cats are more efficient at lapping water 
3. Cats are lower maintenance 
4. Cats are happy indoors
5. Cats cost you less
6. Cats are less messy 
7. If a cat loves you, they’ve chosen to
8. Cats can live longer 
9. Cats are less smelly 
10. Cats sleep a lot
11. Cats are quieter 
12. Kittens are less work than puppies
13. Cats chase away rodents
14. Cats have a better sense of direction
15. Cats are more hygienic 
16. Cats are more independent

1. Cats take up less room than dogs

If you’ve ever spent time with a Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog or one of the most popular dog breeds - the Golden Retriever, you’ll know that their bodies are just as big as their loud, canine personalities (and don’t get us started on how skilled those tails are at smashing crockery). It’s true - while there are some small dog breeds out there, cats generally take up a whole lot less space than their canine counterparts - just one reason why cats are better than dogs for curling up on the sofa or settling down to sleep without getting a tail to the face.

2. Cats are more efficient at lapping water than dogs

If you’ve ever pet parented a pooch, you’ll know how infuriating it is to innocently stroll past your pup’s eating area, only to soak up the contents of their water bowl in your socks (which was on the floor, by the way). Yep, dogs are pretty haphazard when it comes to drinking. In fact, their tongues cut straight into the water, splashing the stuff left, right and center. Cats, on the other hand, expertly maneuver their sweet pink tongues into a funnel shape, delicately lapping up their drink, completely splash-free.

3. Cats are lower maintenance than dogs

Are cats easier than dogs to look after? Well like any cat person will tell you (even if they’ve had the ghastly experience of looking after dogs before) that feline friends are a whole lot easier to surround oneself with - just one reason why cats are better than dogs. For one, cats don’t constantly pester you for walkies - if a kitty needs exercise, they’ll take themselves out for an ever-independent stroll around your neighborhood - no leads or poop bags necessary!

4. Cats are happy indoors

Another reason that ​​cats make better pets than dogs is that they’re more than happy with staying indoors, and if they need some fresh air, they’ll take it upon themselves to get it. Something that dog people just don’t appreciate is a cat’s contentment with stretching out by the fire, snoozing in the sun spot or curling up by the window for hours on end. Admittedly, it’s a different story for house cats - they’re even happier indoors, but it’s a pet parent’s responsibility to make sure their feline friend gets the fresh air they need.

5. Cats cost you less than dogs

As if you needed any more reason to get a cat, felines apparently cost a whole lot less to take care of than dogs, at least according to the ASPCA. They crunched the numbers, and suggested that the annual cost of keeping a dog is $1391, whereas a cat is only $1149.

6. Cats are less messy than dogs

If the kitty-fan echo chamber is music to your ears so far and you need more on why cats are better than dogs, know that cats are a whole lot less messy than dogs. If there’s one thing that dogs are better than cats at, it’s making a true mess of your home. A stressed dog will shred your furniture, turn out your cushions and frankly, eat your shoes. A cat on the other hand? At their worst, they might have a little claw at your sofa, but you can rest assured your accessories and pillows will remain intact.

7. If a cat loves you, they’ve chosen to

This is one of our favorite reasons why cats are the best pets - cats don’t just love anyone. While it can be rewarding (for dog lovers) to have a pup bound up, tail profusely wagging, tongue lapping anywhere possible and eyes truly wired, know that they’ll do that for almost anyone. A cat however is much more choosey, and carefully picks who deserves their precious time and attention. Earn a nose bump from a cat, and you know you’re loved for life.

8. Cats can live longer than dogs

Great news for cat lovers - our feline friends (generally speaking) have longer life expectancies than dogs. Welcoming a furry family member home is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, but losing them is also the hardest. So, welcoming a kitty means more time with your furry best friend!

9. Cats are less smelly than dogs

There’s a reason that ‘dog breath’ and ‘wet dog’ are common in the English language, and their cat counterparts are not! If you need any more reasons why cats are better than dogs, know that keeping a kitty at home won’t cost you the Earth when it comes to air freshener, or allowing all the heat to escape when the only way to keep your home fresh is to open the windows!

10. Cats sleep a lot

Taking a ‘cat nap’ isn’t a saying for nothing - another reason why cats are better than dogs is their refined ability to fall asleep whenever and wherever they please, and for long periods of time. With a feline friend at home, you’ll observe them getting shut eye for up to 16 hours per day - that’s a whole lot of chill time. And don’t forget, domestic cats aren’t always the most active animals, so when they’re not sleeping, they’re likely lounging!

11. Cats are quieter than dogs

For more evidence on why cats are better than dogs, know that your neighbors will be a whole lot friendlier if you welcome a cat home over a dog. Avoid howling, barking and whining and instead opt for adorable, affectionate purrs and sleepy meows. (Dog lovers might tell you otherwise, but this is a kitty-loving echo chamber, so we’ll ignore that).

12. Kittens are less work than puppies

We aren’t claiming that welcoming a kitten home isn’t a lot of work - having any pet is a big responsibility and shouldn’t be taken lightly! But, once your fur baby is comfortable in their new digs, used to their solid diet and making the litter box every time, there’s not a lot else you need to worry about - cats are independent creatures! Dogs on the other hand require persistent training and patience, otherwise they’re headed for poor behavior and an even destructive adulthood.

13. Cats chase away rodents

Why are cats better than dogs? Well we don’t see dogs keeping your home rodent-free now, do we? Cats’ natural stealth and predatory instinct means your kitty is pretty likely to chase away and keep at bay any unwanted pests from your home - it’s a game for them and saves a job for you!

14. Cats have a better sense of direction

Those pet parenting dogs will tell you that their biggest fear is losing their canine companion while on walkies - most dogs simply have no idea when it comes to direction. Cats on the other hand? Well release your feline friend out to get the (alone) fresh air they crave, and rest assured they’ll find their way home.

15. Cats are more hygienic than dogs

Are cats cleaner than dogs? Well to start with, dogs seem to be forever attracted to things that simply stink - think the rubbish bin, dead animals and even their own (and others) poop. Not only do dogs revel in a sniff (or three) of these, some will even roll around in it, or worse, eat it (trust us, we’ll never understand them). Cats however, will not only actively avoid excrements and carcusses (like any civilized creature), they’ll even clean themselves regularly. So if a squeamish person ever asks you why are cats better than dogs, there’s your answer!

16. Cats are more independent than dogs

While having a furry friend at home is some of the best company you’ll ever encounter, we all need our personal space at times. With a dog to welcome you home, you’re guaranteed to be pestered for cuddles, fetch, walkies - you name it. With a cat though, you’ll get a gentle greeting (if at all), and then be left to your own devices to digest your day and wind down before quality time commences.

Why are cats so cute to humans?

It turns out that it’s not just our kitty-loving ways and the true perfection that is the feline form that makes us humans so partial to members of the cat world. Nope, there are a legitimate set of traits that have us going wild for them. If you’ve always wondered why cats are so cute to humans and why your feline friend has you weak at the knees,  head to our blog as we talk about all things cat cuteness and the human brain. And if we haven't managed to convince you that cats are better than dogs, check out this blog on why dogs are better than cats (although we firmly believe otherwise, naturally).