Are cats really all that and a ball of string? Today, there are more cats with homes than dogs in the United States.  Approximately 93.6 million individuals that own cats live in the U.S. according to the Humane Society of the U.S.. Clearly, there are many that agree that quite frankly, cats rule.

Health-wise, cats are more controlled population-wise and are cheaper per year to keep as pets. There are more neutered cats (a majority of 87 percent) than neutered dogs in the U.S., according to the Humane Society. Cat owners spend an average of $203 a year on veterinary care, while dog owners spend slightly more each year. Not to mention the fact that cats take significantly less time to provide basic care on the daily basis. Cats are trained by their mothers to use a litter box properly, and often require minimal assistance in reinforcing this taught behavior.  There are no accidents, newspapers spread over your favorite rug, or presents on the front lawn to worry about. As well, cats don’t need to be walked, which cuts a significant amount of time off of the total needed to care for a cat.

As easy to care for animals, they clean themselves, meaning there is no hassle in trying to figure out how to fit them into the bathtub or shaking all over your new bath towels.  Of course, while cats can be trained to stand a bath on a consistent basis, this is a choice the owner can make. Cats can be either indoor or outdoor, making them versatile to different environments as highly independent animals.

More than anything care-related, cats can be wonderful companions. They can be soft, warm, and friendly, curling up next to your feet on cold winter nights and sitting next to you thoughtfully as you read a book. They don’t bark for strange reasons, they don’t need to be let out in the middle of the night. There’s no “wet cat” smell, nor is there a problem with having to walk your cat in the pouring rain or a blizzard twice a day.

For people who enjoy stress-free pet ownership, one where owner and pet live in perfect harmony, cats serve that purpose quite well. Cats often seem to “do their own thing,” and while they might not jump up and lick your face when you come into the house after a long, stressful day, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing; especially the licking part.

Small and agile, a cat will never grow to 80 pounds, and their ability to be swift helps them maneuver better around household objects.   This is of course not to say that a cat can do no damage around a house, but in many ways the damage done can be seen as far less devastating in terms of size.

For those who enjoy pets that work hard, cats are skilled hunters that are very capable of catching unwanted household vermin.  They have the power to keep unwanted things out and as a result do not need training to serve an important job.  They don’t mistake people for food, and they are very accurate when it comes to catching their prey.

Outdoor cats live more solitary lives, yet they can still come back to the house to be affectionate. Cats don’t beg at the table after a long day and won’t bark demanding for food. They eat their food cleanly without chewing and food flying all around, and they aren’t nearly as prone to food aggression. In terms of playfulness, cats enjoy chasing small objects and batting at string. They can be entertained easily.

Choosing a cat as a pet for a family or for only one person is a smart decision, simply because it does not put a constraint on your time. This means that busy families or a busy person doesn’t have to worry about finding their couch chewed up or their favorite shoes, and their pet will still be there when they get home from work or school.

To put it quite simply, for tranquility and ease in having a companion, cats really are a person’s best friend.  Whether they are protecting the house from mice or curled up against you on a cold winter’s night, cats never cease to be anything but themselves.

Alison Bowler is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at [email protected].