Pet dogs and pet cats: How do they compare?
Posted on December 29th, 2009 by admin
I used to prefer dogs to cats, because dogs are known to be loyal. However, I saw my friend’s cat recently and it was really cute. I also heard that cats are cleaner and less smelly; but dogs cause less allergies.
So my question is, how does a pet dog compare to a pet cat? Which one is more suitable for me? I like a pet that is quiet, easy to take care of, and loves me.
Thank you.
There are cats and dogs both that would qualify, and cats and dogs that won’t.
Dogs, as pack animals, are instinctively loyal and want to please you.
Cats are more independent. The cat may love you, and enjoy playing or snuggling with you, or just being in the same room. But it does not really occur to a cat to think of pleasing you.
Cats use a litter box (their mothers teach them how) and so you can keep them in the house and they do their own pottying. A dog has to be taken outside periodically.
The litter box may smell, though. Some people don’t like having a litter box in the house.
Dogs are easier to train, because of their instinctive desire to please. Dogs are good to play with outdoors and take walks with. They will usually be happy to be part of whatever activity you want to get them into.
A cat will keep your house free of rodents. Even a cat that doesn’t catch rodents will always notice when one comes into the house, and will chase it. Most dogs are indifferent to this. A dog will tell you when anybody comes to your house, and will defend you if you are attacked.
A cat will not think of notifying you of anything, unless the cat wants something. A sociable cat will approach visitors and greet them. If the cat isn’t that sociable, it will ignore or avoid visitors. Cats will almost always flee from a conflict, and it is extremely rare for a cat to defend its owner from attack.
Although both cats and dogs are technically predators, most dogs don’t hunt, if they are fed. Cats feel compelled to stalk and hunt rodents, birds, and other small animals. Sometimes they eat them, sometimes they bring them home to you, sometimes they just play with them. If you have a pet bird or mouse, be careful about getting a cat. It is not impossible to keep them in the same home, but you can’t trust a cat with them. I have had dogs that would never harm a small animal, because they know I don’t want them to, so they just adopt my attitude.
I could go on and on, I am just fascinated by animals.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Quiet : Dog is not quiet. Cat is.
Easy to take care : Cat. Dogs gotta be maintained.
Love u : Dog. Cats don’t really bother.
To have all 3? I would say a Rabbit! They are quiet, easy to take care, and loves u!
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December 30th, 2009 at 4:45 am
It doesnt matter the breed or species. Cats can be just as affectionate as dogs, and dogs as cats. It matters how you traet and raise them. Also, taking care of them shouldnt be an issue. Unless money is a problem, every animal deserves your love, not just the cleaner or quieter ones. You should deal with an animal the same way a sibling. Just because they bother you doesn’t mean you should turn them down, and give them away. Allergies are an issue, but I have never pushed my being allergic to our dog to my parents, as they may get rid of her. Medication can deal with it, or you can deal with it. An animal should never be turned down if your allergic to it. And please, have 2-3 hours a day, and more on weekends to play with him/her. They need attention. A pet is not a good choice for you if you cant spend a lot of time with it.
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December 30th, 2009 at 5:14 am
I love them Both, dogs are fun you can take them to a park and they will run with you if you jog and cats just kinda chill and cuddle up to you and purr they are both really good companions that’s why I like to have both.
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December 30th, 2009 at 5:41 am
personally i think dogs are better because they are more loyal! cats are unpredictable(like a rabbit) and u cant always trust them, more often then dogs!..i think u should get a dog, they also keep you company and not just lay there as cats do, lol! and if they wanna go out, just open the door, or clip them to a leash!
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December 30th, 2009 at 6:16 am
If you are looking for a pet that is going to be quiet, easy to take care of and love you you should go with a cat. if you were to get a dog you would need to have time to give him proper excercise like take him on walks, dog park, etc.. but with a cat you only need to train it to use the litter box and thats it. it can find the food you leve it by itself and they do not need as much care as a dog needs.
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December 30th, 2009 at 6:21 am
There is one benefit I have always noticed in dogs rather than cats. If you are friendly with your dog, It will try to protect you in times of need but a cat wants you to fight your own battles ! Just a tip from experience
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December 30th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I have both and cats at least mine are only affectionate if they want something and my dogs are affectionate all the time. Cats can scratch everything dogs can chew everything. If you have a male cat that’s unnutured they will spray and you will never get rid of the smell. They say dogs get attached to people while cats get attached to surroundings. I personally prefer dogs to cats.
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December 30th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Cats are more self-sufficient than dogs. How much time do you have to devote to a pet? I got a cat for myself because I’m so busy and rarely home and know she’ll be fine and doesn’t need to be walked, etc (it helps that she’s a strictly indoors cat). However, besides my cat, I prefer dogs. But given what you want, I’d suggest a cat. Many can be very affectionate…when they want to be.
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December 30th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I have both… Times two….
I have a Purebred Husky, and a Mutt Shephard. They both are great. I spend about $50 a month on Dog food, but they welcome me home like they were dying without me…
My cats are great too I got a fat orange cat, looks like Garfield, and a skinny black and tan cat. They are much cheaper and easier to take care of, but there charactures are unpredictable. Sometimes they treat me like I crapped myself and they can’t stand the smell, and other times they won’t leave me alone… They are very odd animals, but all animals are natural stress relievers, and scientist say lead to a longer happier life. Judging by what you said about yourself, you would probably enjoy a low maintenance cat… Not to mention, cats have a much greater chance of NOT being adopted and therefor put to sleep at your animal shelter, so GO SAVE A LIFE…
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December 30th, 2009 at 7:53 am
if you want a really low maintenance pet a cat is for you. they arent as affectionate as dogs though. cats want to bothered when they feel like.
so basicly your option is if you want love maintenance get a cat but if you want more loving get a dog. they are always up for some QT. (quality time)
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December 30th, 2009 at 8:15 am
both animals give unconditional love, and in a moment of distress they are there for you. my dog bandit is the sweetes english setter but if some one came at me he would be mean as a doby; he is that darn protective. cats are life savers too, they have ways to make sure their masters are ok especially if there was something wrong; i.e; my older cat kept clawing at me to follow him to my bedroom, normally he does this at bedtime only but it was 1pm. finally i went back there and my little 6 month old kitten was suck in between the bed and the wall.
i guess you will have to decide on a pet that matches your personality.
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December 30th, 2009 at 8:41 am
I am I dog lover also, But I have a cat. They are easy to train. Just put them in the litterbox and they use it (if they are female). Males will some times like to mark the house. Getting them fixed does help(not 100%cure). Most cats like lots of attention. They can be very demanding.
I do believe that my cat is easier to care for than my dog.
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December 30th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Cats are (sometimes) quiet, clean, and very independant. It depends on the cat. My female keeps to herself during the day, runs if you try to pet her and is very content on being alone. At night, she’ll sleep at the foot of my bed over my feet and pur. My male thrives on attention, he will walk up and down the hallway squeaking (he doesn’t meow, he squeaks) until someone gets up and plays with him, then he will purr and run and hide until my bedtime, when he will curl up either on my side or in my window and sleep. One cat is easy to clean up after, two cats is a chore.
My dog is very noisy, and has been for the last 17 years. She sheds a lot, but is very easy to clean up after. She loves attention, She is also very energetic and enjoys wrestling.
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December 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
There are cats and dogs both that would qualify, and cats and dogs that won’t.
Dogs, as pack animals, are instinctively loyal and want to please you.
Cats are more independent. The cat may love you, and enjoy playing or snuggling with you, or just being in the same room. But it does not really occur to a cat to think of pleasing you.
Cats use a litter box (their mothers teach them how) and so you can keep them in the house and they do their own pottying. A dog has to be taken outside periodically.
The litter box may smell, though. Some people don’t like having a litter box in the house.
Dogs are easier to train, because of their instinctive desire to please. Dogs are good to play with outdoors and take walks with. They will usually be happy to be part of whatever activity you want to get them into.
A cat will keep your house free of rodents. Even a cat that doesn’t catch rodents will always notice when one comes into the house, and will chase it. Most dogs are indifferent to this. A dog will tell you when anybody comes to your house, and will defend you if you are attacked.
A cat will not think of notifying you of anything, unless the cat wants something. A sociable cat will approach visitors and greet them. If the cat isn’t that sociable, it will ignore or avoid visitors. Cats will almost always flee from a conflict, and it is extremely rare for a cat to defend its owner from attack.
Although both cats and dogs are technically predators, most dogs don’t hunt, if they are fed. Cats feel compelled to stalk and hunt rodents, birds, and other small animals. Sometimes they eat them, sometimes they bring them home to you, sometimes they just play with them. If you have a pet bird or mouse, be careful about getting a cat. It is not impossible to keep them in the same home, but you can’t trust a cat with them. I have had dogs that would never harm a small animal, because they know I don’t want them to, so they just adopt my attitude.
I could go on and on, I am just fascinated by animals.
References :
December 30th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’ve had dogs and cats in my life. I’ll just tell you why I prefer cats.
1. Cats are extremely clean animals. They don’t have that nasty oil on their coats that dogs have that you can feel on your hand after you’ve pet them. They also don’t have a smell.
2. Cats are independent and usually don’t follow you around everywhere. (Although there are exceptions.)
3. You have to earn a cat’s love. When they come to you it’s because they want to, not because they’re trying to please you. Dogs seem so pathetically eager to please.
4. Cats are loyal, too!
5. Purring. Do I really have to say anything else?
As for defending the owner, well my cat does! When my husband is out of town, she growls every time someone gets close to the house just to let me know. She lets me know who the "good guys" are. If she doesn’t like someone, they leave my house pretty quickly.
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December 30th, 2009 at 10:49 am
cats are lovable and quite, only if its a female and she gos through heat
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December 30th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Quiet is absolutely a cat…unless you get a Siamese. Siamese cats are very noisy especially if they are in heat.
Clean—that’s one is a toss-up….you have to do a lot of cleaning for both. Dogs: baths, toe nails clipped, ears cleaned out……….Cats: kitty litter boxes, toe nails clipped, ears cleaned out….so cleaning up after the animal is a hard thing to compare between a cat and a dog.
Loyalty—really just depends on how well you take care of the animal…..I have a Siamese cat that is very loyal to me….
I would recommend a cat….they require less work and less attention but if you want to pamper them and give them every bit of attention that you possibly can, they will accept it. Hope that helps you out a little bit.
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