5 Reasons why a cat can be the perfect pet for a family

Cats are sometimes looked upon as aloof, no-personality pets. Of course this generalization is usually proposed by people who don’t share their lives with cats. We cat lovers laugh because we know it’s simply not true. Each of my cats has a wonderfully unique personality. They’re fun, social and a valuable part of our family.

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1. they’re social
2. they love to play
3. they teach kids about compassion
4. they’re fairly easy to care for
5. they can be left alone for a few hours

Some families assume dogs are the best family pets — they’re active, enthusiastically affectionate and love to play. I think dogs are the best family pet for some- however, cats can be an even better choice for families, especially those with busy lives.

Here are 5 reasons why cats make ideal family pets.

1. They’re social

I realize some cats are more social than others, but for the most part, they like to be where their humans are. Our three cats are nearly always within our sight. If we move into the living room to watch a movie, they follow us. They don’t always jump onto our laps, but they enjoy sharing the space with us. Some cats enjoy being held and snuggled. Teaching your children proper cat-handling techniques will increase the odds of treasured snuggle time.

Cosmo and Saffy don’t especially enjoy when company calls, but Phoebe likes visitors and is a perfect hostess. Unlike dogs, cat aren’t always as eager for attention. Again, some families enjoy these qualities- my family prefers the more relaxed nature of cats.

2. They love to play

No matter how social a cat is, a great toy is usually a surefire way to engage kitty in active play. My cats love wand toys. Even small children can use wand toys to play with their cat. My Phoebe even plays catch! Cats are often funny when they play and kids love this. They jump, roll, race around and tumble. This is excellent entertainment for all ages!

3. They teach kids about compassion

Some dogs enjoy more active play, even roughhousing on occasions. Cats prefer more gentle handling and quieter time together. When children learn how to carefully and respectfully interact with cats, they learn compassion. This is a trait that will serve them their entire lives.

4. They’re fairly easy to care for

Unlike dogs, cats usually groom themselves. They don’t require walks and do their business in an easily scoopable litter box. This makes cat care pretty easy for families with busy schedules. My kids help me brush and feed the kitties, and my daughter is my #1 pooper scooper. Kids learn responsibility when they are charged with cat-care tasks that are age-appropriate.

5. They can be left alone for a few hours

I’ve known dog-loving friends who regularly had to leave work or duck out of events early because their dog needed a walk. Although cats shouldn’t be left alone for an extended period of time, they likely won’t have any unmet needs if their humans are gone for several hours. This is helpful for families who find themselves running around for kids’ lessons, games and activities.

If you find you’re going to miss your cat’s regular feeding time by a large chunk of time, always arrange for someone to stop over for feeding and playtime. And if you’re traveling, please either hire a pet sitter or arrange for someone to swing by to spend time with your cat. They’re independent animals, but they still require regular attention and love!

Do you think cats are the perfect pet for a busy family? Tell us about it in the comments!

About the Author: Angie Bailey is an eternal optimist with an adoration of all things silly. Loves pre-adolescent boy humor, puns, making up parody songs, thinking about cats doing people things and The Smiths. Writes Catladyland, a cat humor blog, Texts from Mittens (birthed right here on Catster) and authored whiskerslist: the kitty classifieds, a silly book about cats wheeling and dealing online. Partner in a production company and writes and acts in a comedy web series that features sketches and mockumentaries. Mother to two humans and three cats, all of which want her to make them food.

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