I would struggle owning a caged animal, though, because I know I wouldn't be dedicated enough to clean the cage as often as I should. And I'm not sure I'd stimulate it enough to have it properly cared for.
I wish more people realized this. I hate how many people get rats and just think they have to clean the cage and get toys. Yes these animals live in a cage and love toys but playing with their people is VERY important for them.
LOL, have you ever tried to discipline a cat? They don't care.. or at least, mine don't. Mine are lunatics at night and trust me, I've tried telling them to "knock it off!" like I would do with my dogs (& with the dogs, that's all that's needed), and they might stop and stare at me for a minute, but as soon as I walk back into our bedroom, it starts up again.
This has been my experience with cats.
Part of it for me is also the liter box. I don't care if you get the best liter in the world I think it smells gross and end up gagging the whole time I have to scoop it.
Also for me I do agree you have to train your dog and that takes time. But for me once it's done it's done. It did take time investment when I got Yoshi but I haven't had to worry about most things since she was about 1-2 years old.
Watching TV or a movie? She'll sit down and snuggle.
Playing on the computer or a video game? She'll lay at my feet and has learned to not even walk near the cords.
Going outside? She's right there ready there's no hunting her down.
Has to go to the bathroom? Ask her and open the door and stand there while she goes.
She wants to play? She loves fetch and tug games and so even in bad weather or if I'm sick I can still play inside with her.
Vet appointment? She'll jump into the car, sit nicely, and love on the vet the entire appointment.
I'll be the first to admit her first year or two I did put a lot of time into it getting her to learn the routine, socializing her, training her but that paid off and she's an incredibly easy animal to have. Compare that to my friends who have cats who at 5 years are still as big a pains as they were from the beginning.
I really like having a pet that when I say 'hey don't do that' they stop and come over with a 'I love you why would I do that if you don't want it done?' attitude compared to the 'screw you I'll do what I like' attitude of most cats I have met.
Also I've never had to rush home for Yoshi *puppy age aside*. Most of the time I do head home but that's because I've missed her while I was at work and not because there is a HUGE rush to get her outside. I know she can and will hold it.