By Jacob Scott–

It’s an argument we’re all a part of: are cats or dogs better? For college students, the answer is simple. In the past, I would have said I’m a dog person, but my girlfriend and I got a cat together. The experience with our cat has swayed my mind on cats, and I’ve come to believe that they are better pets, especially for students.

Most college students stay up late and get up late. When your dog is licking your face at 6 a.m. in the morning to go to the bathroom, you’re not happy. Cats use a litter box and can go whenever they want without your help. Perhaps the best part: you don’t have to actually handle the poo while you’re picking it up. You can just throw away all the litter. Cats don’t need as much physical exercise as dogs. They get most of their workout in by running around the house all day and night. This stops you from having to walk them in the cold, rain or snow and opens up time for studying, partying or doing other things.

Next, cats are independent so they don’t need attention all the time. When you’re trying to study, they aren’t bothering you all the time. Weekend trips become easier because all you have to do is clean the litter box and give them enough food to last the weekend. Dogs require having someone come over to check on, as well as feed, it. Having a cat instead of a dog works great for students who want some responsibility but with the least amount of trouble.

Another thing – cats wash themselves so they always smell good and you don’t have to wrestle them in the yard or bathtub to wash them. Most students, like me, who don’t have a bathtub or an outside hose, would have to pay other people to clean our dogs.

Cats are, also, much quieter. Obnoxious barking can get you in trouble with the landlord when he starts barking at 3 a.m. – or make the mailman very angry.

Cat’s affection is not a constant need. This works out great because most students are busy and never home, so when you’re home, they aren’t always begging for attention. This gives you a chance to study, shower or do other things without them bugging you all day. Studies show that cat’s purring can lower your blood pressure and stress level, improving student health.

Since we spend so much time away from our apartments and don’t have large spaces for our animals, it just seems more practical for students to have cats rather than dogs.

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Photo/Flickr: I’makittycat