Pet ownership is a growing trend. More and more Spaniards are choosing to add an ARISTOPET to their lives. However, there is a shift happening in the choice of pet. Until a few years ago, ARISTODOGS were the undisputed kings, our best friends. When it came to expanding the family, the vast majority opted for a dog. There was no doubt. But that, as we say, is changing, because our lifestyle is changing too.
Proof of this is that in Madrid, according to the municipal animal census, more and more ARISTOCATS are registered. There are now 73,400. The district with the most cats is Centro, with 6,752 felines, followed by Hortaleza (6,748 cats) and Ciudad Lineal (6,273). The districts with the fewest cats are Villaverde, Barajas, and Vicálvaro.
Therefore, it is inevitable to wonder what is behind this "cat boom". Although we love the news, it is also true that it continues to surprise us. We have consulted different sources to find the possible causes. And these are some of the most prominent:
1.- We have one of the longest working hours in Europe. We work from dawn till dusk, as the saying goes, in many cases. And that not only limits our leisure time but also has direct consequences on our personal lives.
2.- Also, 25% of Spanish households are single-person households. But our human condition dictates that we need emotional connections to survive.
3.- 50% of the Spanish population lives in large urban centers, such as Madrid, but in small homes.
4.- Fortunately, we are becoming more and more collectively aware of what responsible animal ownership entails.
With these four ingredients, the perfect storm is brewing, causing cat ownership to increase. The lack of free time and the long distances most of us have to travel from home to work make it difficult to adequately meet the walking and exercise needs of most dogs. And that same responsible awareness makes us feel something inside, at the thought of leaving our dog alone at home all day. Hence, because we need that companionship and affection, cats are seen as the perfect life companions, because they are supposedly less demanding than dogs. And more independent, mysterious. Earning their affection is a challenge (in fact, dogs were traditionally preferred because it has always been said that they love us more). In addition, the Internet has extolled them. And this is one of the main reasons why young people love them.
Having said all this, it is worth remembering that cats do not "fend for themselves" at all. Owning them is a great responsibility that often lasts for more than a decade. Cats also need us. A lot. Since they have specific needs to live healthy and happy lives. And logically, although their maintenance is somewhat more economical than that of a dog, we must be sure that we will be able to afford to take them to the vet when appropriate and offer them quality food that combines kibble with wet food.
As we said, we are glad that more and more households have an ARISTOPET. Because it has been more than proven how beneficial their companionship is for our health, at any age or stage of life: whether as children, as we discussed in this post, or when we reach old age. But yes: we must think very carefully before taking the step of expanding the family.
