Would you rather hang out with someone who is obnoxious, sloppy and high maintenance or someone who is laid back, independent and clean? If I were to guess, most people would probably choose the second option unless they are crazy. These descriptions also happen to perfectly describe two of the most common pets in the world: dogs and cats. So, if the majority of people wouldn’t willingly spend time with a person that is rowdy and messy, why would they choose to own a dog who also possesses these characteristics? The answer to this question is beyond me, and I will never understand how the same people can hate cats—animals that are respectful and clean yet loyal. Although I may be in the minority, I firmly believe that cats are far better than dogs.
The first reason cats are better than dogs is their cleanliness. First off, cats don’t need to be bathed because they can groom themselves, and they do it very often. They rarely partake in dirty habits; in fact, they are widely considered one of the cleanest animals. Dogs, on the other hand, can go outside for two minutes and be covered in mud and grime, and trust me, wet dog is not a pleasant smell. The big deal breaker for me, however, is the amount of slobber that dogs produce. It literally grosses me out and makes me gag! What’s even worse is that some people willingly let their dogs slobber all over them and think how “adorable” they are.
I’ve seen these atrocities first hand—like watching my younger brother share an ice cream cone with our almost 10-year-old chihuahua named Pablo, who literally has rotting teeth and a missing eye. Meanwhile, I’m just standing there not only judging but also trying to keep myself from vomiting. I’m pretty picky about the people I share my food with, let alone a literal dog. My other dog, Bailey, feels the need to slurp up all the water in her water bowl in one sitting, but she manages to get the water everywhere as it continues to pour out of her patulous jowls. The next thing you know, there’s a huge puddle of water on the floor for me to wipe up. My cat Luna, on the other hand, spends most of her days snoozing in different parts of the house, playing with my other cat or lounging around—all activities that don’t bother anyone, where she can do her thing and I can do mine. I simply don’t understand how some people can look at a drooling, smelly dog and think that they are better than cats—creatures that keep themselves clean and smelling fresh and wouldn’t dare to drink from the toilet or eat poo.
And I am not alone in my thoughts. Junior Lexi Bisaillon, who owns both dogs and cats, agrees that cats are much cleaner animals than dogs.
“I like cats because they’re quiet, nice and clean. For example, my cat is an indoor and outdoor cat who stays away from dirt at all costs,” Bisaillon said. “When he does get dirty, he just cleans himself. He only drinks clean water and isn’t all slobbery.”
Along with cleanliness, another reason cats are better is because they are quieter. Sometimes, I don’t even realize that one of my cats is in the same room as me because they don’t make much noise at all, besides the occasional jingle from their collars. They mind their own business and don’t cause a ton of ruckus. I can’t say the same thing about either of my dogs, though. About every morning, between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., I’m awakened by the unsettling yet harmonizing squeals and howls of my two dogs. Meanwhile, my sweet, precious cat who was sound asleep on my bed is also abruptly awoken.
My sister, senior Alexis Pehrson, can also attest to this daily annoyance.
“I’ll wake up in the middle of the night sometimes to my dog whining because they need let out to go to the bathroom, which is fine but it kinda takes away from my sleep, where a cat can just use the litter box,” Pehrson said.
Both quietness and cleanliness are major reasons cats are better than dogs, but I’d like to think that the most groundbreaking reason is that cats are way lower maintenance compared to dogs. When thinking about getting a dog, there are many responsibilities one must keep in mind. The list is endless: potty training, bringing them on walks, locking them in their kennel every night, training them, playing fetch, giving them all this attention, and on and on. As someone who is a student-athlete, I don’t have time for that, so I can’t imagine how an average working person would. On top of all these duties, a dog owner would have to hire a pet sitter if they go out of town.
However, you can’t say the same thing with cats, who can go for extended periods of time by themselves. Really, the only thing you have to worry about when owning a cat is giving them food and water as well as cleaning their litter box every once in a while. Cats also don’t require nearly as much attention as dogs do. If anything, cats typically keep to themselves but also enjoy cuddling and showing affection. After a long, grueling day at school and practice, the last thing I want to do is play with my rowdy dog. Cuddling up with my cat on the other hand? That’s a definite yes for me.
Another student who can relate to this is junior Maddie Fenn, who is also a cat and dog owner.
“I like my cats better because they aren’t relying on my attention all the time. I can do my homework and my cat will be sitting on my bed. My dog, on the other hand, usually barks and scratches at my door,” Fenn said.
As any sensible person can see, cats make way better pets than dogs. If these three reasons aren’t enough to convince people, I’m not sure what will. So if people still somehow think that dogs are better than cats, I hope they have fun being slobbered on, cleaning up poop and dealing with the countless responsibilities that come with owning one. In the meantime, I will sit back and relax with my fluffy, clean and quiet cat while laughing at you.
