Men’s growing frustration towards their limited selection compared to women in clothing stores has opened my eyes to the same problem with cats and dogs. All humans wear clothes, why do women deserve a greater selection? All animals have the same basic needs, what do dogs do to earn easier access?
Dog owners like to argue that dogs are the most common pet and therefore it makes sense that they get a broader selection. Just because there are more adults in the world, does that mean children become less relevant? There are more men than women in today’s population so clearly the statistics don’t matter when it comes to having a broader selection. If the problem for cats is that there are more dogs, then why are men facing the same problem?
48% of pet owners have a dog and over 30% own a cat, making dogs and cats the two most common pets. They also have similar needs – food, water, bedding, toys, medication… yet dogs get at least ten different options of each while cats are lucky to get just one. At this point, it’s a miracle for cats to get an aisle for themselves while dogs happily get 80% of the store. It makes no sense!
But the problem gets worse! It’s not only basic needs that cats lack selection of.
“Most of the prescription medications (and there were many) for my cat were actually for dogs.” – Entirety of “Pet Supplies” section in grocery store is Dog food only. : r/mildlyinfuriating
Specialised treatment for cats, no matter how simple, is much harder to access than for dogs. For example, my cats need a slow feeder bowl that is only available in-store for dogs. Those bowls are too big for cats and won’t possibly make them eat slower. Instead, I’ll have to find a specialised store online and pay for delivery. It is ridiculous.
The problem extends as far as pet bakeries that are, in fact, actually dog bakeries. You can easily find dog friendly baked goods at markets and in stores, but I’ve never once seen any for cats (or any other animal). If dogs get special cakes and treats on their birthday, why don’t other pets?
What makes this fair?
Bethany Miguel 
Tarkyn Sharples 
Sonya Murphy