We’ve all heard the saying that dogs are “man’s best friend,” and science actually backs up just how good they are for us. Studies show that people who walk their dogs get significantly more exercise than those who don’t. And there’s a bonus, our four-legged pals can help ease social anxiety, spark conversations with strangers, and even make us feel less lonely. Some research even suggests that dog owners may recover better after a heart attack or stroke and might just live longer, healthier lives because of it.
But here’s where we’re opening the debate. If this research applies to dogs, then surely it must apply to active cat owners too, right?
Traditionally, cats have a reputation for being low-maintenance companions, happily napping on the sofa while their owners stay sedentary. But one man from Riverstick in Cork, is flipping that stereotype on its head by bringing his cat on daily walks.
“My wife has always loved cats, then we saw an ad for Ben and immediately reached out,” he explains. “We got ours from a breeder in Waterford.”
Ben, the 5 year old Bengal cat, turned out to be a natural-born adventurer. “We got into walking him when we were living in Galway, we used to do a route for about 20 minutes everyday.”
Of course, it didn’t happen overnight. “At the beginning we would have a harness on full time for a week or two for him to get used to the feeling of it and to train him up,” he says. “Then I would bring him out in the cat bag similar to a baby sling, he would naturally get curious and want to get out of the bag. After a couple days I left him out of the bag and I was able to walk him.”
When asked how people react when they see Ben being walked, Patrick responded “A lot are impressed, and say their cats could never do it” but the most common reaction is “Iv’e seen it all”.
Now, Ben has his own quirks when it comes to walks. “He likes to be walked anywhere there is a wall, either on it or beside it. I often walk ahead and he follows me and wants to be close to me.”
Since moving to Cork, Ben hasn’t missed a step. Which is strange, because cats often don’t make great adjustments to new environments, but after a short stint in the cat bag on Patrick’s chest, he was back to strutting the streets of Cork like he owned them, along with his new kitty companions. One of Patrick’s other cats a British Shorthair, also joins in on the strolls too, though she takes a different approach, preferring to perch on Patrick’s shoulder while Ben does the real footwork.
So maybe cats shouldn’t be counted out of the “active owner” debate just yet. Sure, most kitties prefer a window perch over a long stroll, but for some cats (and their humans), a walk might just be the secret to better health and happiness.
So the debate is open: do you think cat owners could also be in the running for most active pet parents?
