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You can find a dog park in just about every major city, many minor cities, and some small towns and municipalities. Dog owners seem to have a lot of options for canine exercise and socialization, so why don’t cat parks exist for cat owners?
As it turns out, there are a few good reasons that cat parks don’t exist. Here’s what you need to know.
The 4 Reasons Why Cat Parks Don’t Exist
1. Cats Have Unique Bathroom Habits
Though some dogs can be trained to use a litter box or puppy pad, most dogs learn to be comfortable relieving themselves outdoors. They’re not private animals, so they’re fine relieving themselves in a dog park. On the other hand, cats prefer the comfort and familiarity of their litter box at home, which is probably in a private spot like a closet or basement. If you put a cat in a cat park, they will hold it the entire time.
2. Cats Are Solitary Animals
Everyone knows that cats are loners and dogs are pack animals. While the latter is actually a point of contention among canine professionals, it’s clear that dogs form bonds with other dogs, cats, and humans. Cats, not so much. They form social groups in some situations, but not like dogs. They don’t need friends or playtime, so putting a bunch of cats together in a park to roam freely is a recipe for disaster.
3. Cats Don’t Need Tons of Space for Exercise
Some dogs need a lot of space to run and play, which some owners may be unable to provide in small homes, homes without a yard, or apartments. Dog parks give them that space to help their dogs get some exercise. Cats need exercise, but they often get it by jumping vertically, such as onto a high shelf or cat perch, playing with interactive toys, or exploring their home. They don’t need an acre of grass to run and exercise; if you put them in that environment, they’re not likely to go off exploring.
4. Cats Don’t Like Change
Most dogs enjoy exploring new environments. When they’re put in a new open space, they’ll likely run around, sniff, dig holes, and mark territory. Cats do not share this enjoyment. Most cats hate change and being put in new situations. Though they are predators, they are also prey to larger predators. They’ll react to the sights, sounds, and smells of a park with fear instead of joy.
Should Cat Parks Exist?
As you can see, there are several good reasons why cat parks don’t exist and probably never will, no matter how many cat owners ask for them. They’re not ideal for cat temperaments and simply aren’t necessary when cat owners can satisfy all their cat’s needs in their homes.
Aside from that, the reality is that many professional dog trainers aren’t on board with dog parks. While they acknowledge that some owners need that space to allow their dogs to run, play, and explore in a safe, dedicated space, there are considerable risks to using a dog park. Not all owners are the same, not all dogs behave the same, and bringing these dogs together can often create bigger problems than it can solve—including different types of aggression.
There are certainly some owners and some dogs that benefit from a dog park, but taking all that into consideration, it is clear why cat parks are not a good idea for virtually any cats.
Conclusion
People may love both dogs and cats, but they have different personalities and needs. With their solitary nature, need for privacy, and general dislike of change and new experiences, cats are not a good choice for a park and socialization. Cat parks will probably never exist, and they shouldn’t.
Featured Image Credit: Elisa Putti, Shutterstock
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