According to researchers at the American Psychiatric Association, dog and cat owners experience positive mental health impacts equally. I’m willing to bet those researchers never lived with a cat. Although it may be an opinion, I can say without a doubt that cats are better pets than dogs.

One reason to ride the cat train is their noise — or their lack thereof. The bark of a single dog can reach 100 decibels, which is almost equivalent to the volume of a car horn. According to the Centers for Disease Control, excessive exposure to loud noises can cause stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The average cat’s meow is only 45 decibels. That’s comparable to a quiet library or gentle rainfall.

Sure, dogs have more neurons than cats. But that’s because most dogs are far larger in size, which is another reason why cats make better pets.

Most dogs outweigh cats in size. As a result, dogs require more attention to release their built-up energy. They also need fed more frequently and in greater amounts than cats. Not only do they take up more time, caring for a dog takes up more of your wallet.

Unlike dogs, most cats spend their days roaming the house and sleeping in random spots. Cats only require a scoop of chow and a litter box change.

Full disclosure: I loved my childhood dog immensely, and I will likely own a dog one day. Dogs are great companions, but they require more work and devotion than cats.

In terms of living, I’d rather have a cat for a roommate than a dog.

Columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan, or other organizations in which the author may be involved.