I’m a licensed veterinarian who has been practicing in a busy small-animal clinic for several years, and I’m asked this question almost every week: Are cats hard to take care of? My short answer is that cats are not “low-effort decorations,” but they also aren’t nearly as demanding as many first-time pet owners fear. They’re different, and that difference can either feel wonderfully easy or unexpectedly challenging depending on your expectations.

Early in my career, I assumed cats would be simpler for most owners than dogs: fewer walks, quieter households, less training. Then I started seeing the same pattern in my exam rooms: people expected independence to mean “no work at all,” and they were blindsided by the parts of cat care that aren’t obvious from cute videos and calm afternoon naps.

The kind of work cats actually require

Cats don’t usually need daily walks or constant entertainment, but they do require consistent attention in quieter ways. Feeding, fresh water, clean litter boxes, nail care, scratching outlets, and veterinary visits are all non-negotiable.

A common surprise for new owners is the litter box. I’ve lost count of how many clients have told me, slightly embarrassed, that they didn’t realize how quickly a box can smell or how strong a cat’s protest can be if it isn’t kept clean. One couple told me their otherwise sweet cat started urinating on a bathmat.

They assumed “spite.” The real issue was that the only litter box in the house was tucked into a noisy laundry room, and no one wanted to scoop it daily. Once they moved it to a quieter corner and kept it cleaner, the problem disappeared. The cat wasn’t difficult; the setup was.

Independence is absolute — and can mislead people.

Cats are truly more self-sufficient than many other pets. I’ve had long workdays where I’ve gone home to my own cat happily sleeping on the back of the couch, perfectly content. That independence is one of the reasons I often recommend cats to people who live in apartments, travel for work occasionally, or simply like quiet companionship.

But independence doesn’t mean emotional detachment. A cat may not follow you from room to room wagging a tail, but I’ve seen many stressed cats whose owners thought ignoring subtle signs was OK.

Hiding, eating less, changes in bathroom habits, or sudden irritability aren’t just “quirky cat moods.” They’re often early warning signals. Cats are masters at masking illness, and I’ve had more than one owner tell me, “He seemed fine until he suddenly wasn’t,” only for us to discover that the signs had been there for weeks, just softer.

The real challenges I see most often

The most complex parts of cat care usually aren’t the daily routines; they’re the behavioral and medical surprises.

One of my clearest memories is of a college student who adopted a kitten because he thought cats “basically take care of themselves.” The kitten grew into a very energetic young cat who shredded the arms of his couch and climbed the curtains like a ladder. He was frustrated; the cat was under-stimulated.

Once we added more play sessions, scratching posts, and puzzle feeders, the destruction stopped. The problem wasn’t that cats are hard, but that boredom is powerful.

Medical care surprises people, too. Cats still need vaccines, parasite prevention, and dental care. Teeth, in particular, catch owners off guard. A client brought in a quiet senior cat that “just seemed tired lately.” The cat had severe dental disease and was living with mouth pain every single day. After treatment, the owner told me it was like living with a new cat. That didn’t make the care “hard,” but it did require attention, time, and money that many people don’t anticipate.

Are cats easier than dogs?

Often, yes — but “easier” doesn’t mean “effortless.”

Cats don’t need outdoor bathroom breaks in storms; they usually groom themselves, and they’re generally content with safe indoor life. I’ve found that busy professionals, introverts, and people in smaller homes tend to thrive with cats if they like quiet companionship.

But I’ve also seen situations where cats are actually harder. Households that dislike litter boxes, strongly prefer obedience-style interaction, or want constant physical affection often get frustrated. Cats aren’t small dogs. They rarely enjoy rough handling, forced cuddles, or chaotic environments, and they can withdraw or act out if they feel unsafe.

What I personally recommend

From my professional and personal experience, cats are an excellent choice for many people — as long as your expectations match reality.

If you’re comfortable maintaining a clean litter box, providing vet care, allowing a living creature with its own personality and boundaries to share your space, and making time for play, even if it’s only a few intentional minutes each day, you’ll likely find cats very easily.

If, instead, you want a pet you barely have to think about, or you dislike the idea of fur, claws, or sharing your furniture, a cat will feel “difficult” no matter how many care hacks you read.

I’ve lived with cats for years, and despite treating the less glamorous side of cat ownership in my clinic — hairballs, scratched furniture, urinary accidents, and more — I still look forward to going home and hearing that soft thump of paws jumping onto the bed nearby. They’re not hard in the way many expect. They ask for consistent, respectful care and attention that matches who they are.

For the right person, that doesn’t feel like work at all.