Convincing your dog-loving significant other to adopt a cat

If you and your boyfriend or girlfriend have been perusing your local New York animal shelter in the hopes of adopting a new furry friend, you may soon find yourself on opposite sides of the dog and cat debate. As a cat person, it can be difficult to make the idea of caring for one seem just as fun as a canine, but if you're going to get your way, you'll have to share some of the biggest benefits of being a cat caretaker. Here are a few benefits of feline ownership that may just tip the scales in your favor when it's time to bring a pet home.

1. Cats are independent. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of being a cat parent is knowing how self-reliant your pet can be. Instead of worrying about calling pet sitters, dealing with separation anxiety or finding someone to let your dog out multiple times per day, your feline will be more than happy to lounge around his or her home alone. Ideally, you can find someone who can come in and check on your feline while you're on vacation, but it's certainly far less of a hassle than setting up care for dogs.

2. Cats are meticulous groomers. Unlike dogs, who can get into all sorts of mischief and will require regular baths and trips to the groomer, cats can take care of staying clean all on their own. You will very rarely, if ever, have to give your feline a bath, and he or she will lick off much of the excess hair frequently throughout the day. Best of all, cats don't have the same ability to make your house smell like a dog would, so you will be able to live in a much more refreshing environment.

3. Cats use a litter box. If the idea of carrying around a plastic bag and picking up poop off the sidewalk in the middle of winter isn't your idea of a good time, becoming a cat parent may be the perfect solution. As long as you clean your feline's litter box daily, you can combat the smell quite easily, even in a cramped urban apartment.

When you and your significant other are going back and forth about which animal to bring home, consider visiting Bideawee's website for a complete listing of dogs and cats in your area.