One of the most universal experiences in life is owning a pet. Among the most popular are dogs and cats, with the United States alone having roughly 160 million cats and dogs according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Naturally, many people have conflicting opinions as to which, if any, are better. Freshman Calvin Hsu would ”rather die” than have to choose between the two. I personally own two dogs and have never owned a cat, although I have been around them frequently enough to understand the nuances of this particular question.
In the United States, pet ownership has become more common as time goes on, with a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association stating a 56% increase in pet ownership within American households since 1988. This could be due to any number of factors over the years; pet adoption notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reporting that one in five households adopted a cat or dog during COVID-19 and about 85% having kept their pets post-quarantine.
The question remains, which pet should the American people be adopting? In general, dogs are considered to be rather high-maintenance and attention-hungry, needing to be walked multiple times a day, a task some consider to be rather disruptive. Indeed, my dogs are quite high-maintenance themselves, with a peculiar liking to being walked at 9 p.m. and then walked yet again at 10 p.m. In addition to walking, most veterinary organizations, such as Veterinary Centers of America, recommend that most larger breeds of dog receive rather frequent exercise to avoid obesity and other such conditions. Doing so would require owners to spend a few hours each week getting their dogs to run and be active, most often in the form of playing fetch at dog parks or particularly large yards.
This is not to say that dogs are a bad choice. Dogs are popular often because of their high-maintenance personality and energy. Dogs also tend to have a uniquely strong attachment to their owners. I can personally attest to this, as my dogs seem as though their tails have never stopped wagging, and they always seem to radiate a sort of joy and sense of belonging every time I’m with them.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, cats are often considered to be rather reserved and dismissive with their owners, which lifetime cat owner and enthusiast freshman Derek Freishiem believes is a “common misconception” due to cats’ independence. In Freshiem’s view, cats are “extremely affectionate” when raised and trained to be so. While some cats are indeed rather uninterested, if one is to train them such that they are truly committed to their owners, they can provide the same level of affection and love that dogs are known for. In my own experience, cats can most definitely be very affectionate and loving, however they are more often less affectionate than I would consider dogs to be. Another important factor to note with cats is that, due to their independence, they tend to be low maintenance in comparison to dogs, meaning that those who are lacking in time and money may find that cats are easier to take care of.
More interesting, however, is the deeper reasoning behind such phenomena involving cats and dogs. According to a study by the American Psychiatric Association, about 70% of cat and dog owners report a reduced sense of stress and anxiety in daily life and a sense of “true friendship” in relation to their cat or dog. The idea that these pets really believe in their owners as members of their pack and rely on them to live instills a sense of purpose in the minds of many, more so than any hobby could. This is obviously rather important and impactful in everyday life, especially considering the growing focus in society on improving mental well-being.
In addition to the psychological benefits of owning either pet, the act of playing with and walking dogs is linked to increased amounts of recreational walking for owners as well as overall daily exercise. A study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity stated an increase in recreational walking within the local neighborhood by about 22 minutes a week in families who recently purchased a dog, particularly because of the positive association with walking built by having to take dogs for a walk every day. As one can imagine, an increase in recreational walking and generally staying mobile is always positive for physical health. According to a statement by the American Heart Association, dog owners that engage in a greater amount of walking than usual are 54% more likely to meet the recommended amount of physical activity than non-dog owners.
After considering these factors, I have ultimately concluded that the definitive ‘best pet’ is, in fact, entirely dependent on what you personally are capable of taking care of and what you believe is more important. People who find themselves stressed by external factors will most definitely enjoy the subtle but faithful companionship of a cat. If you aren’t the most active person, owning a dog is a spectacular way to encourage better exercise habits in everyday life. For those who are less socially inclined, owning any kind of pet is a surefire method to brighten your day and improve mental health like no other through faithful companionship.
