Which is a better pet, cats or dogs? This is something that dog lovers and cat lovers have been debating forever. I am going enter the battle by giving my opinion on the subject.
Yes, I know this is a dog blog and it’s obvious that I love dogs so my opinion might be a little biased. And I’ll admit if I had to choose between the two I would almost always choose a dog. However, I do own a cat that I love very much and I think she is amazing! I couldn’t imagine not having her.
Anyway, here is my opinion on the cats vs. dogs battle…
1) Dogs can protect you as well as your home and family, and usually will if the situation arises. Even a small dog that can’t do much against an intruder will at least alert you to possible danger by barking. Cats have nothing on dogs when it comes to this. Dogs get 1 point for this.
2) Dogs are great companions because you can take them just about anywhere and they love it. Cats will usually freak out if you take them anywhere. Give 1 point to dogs for this.
3) Dogs go to the bathroom outside so you never have to smell it in the house or clean a litter box. But the fact that cats go in the litter box is nice because you never have to worry about letting them out or cleaning up accidents. I’ll give them both a point for this.
4) I don’t know if dogs really do love their owners more than cats but they definitely tend to show the love more. My cat is actually one of the most loving cats I have ever seen in my life and she still doesn’t seem to care about me as much as any dog I’ve ever owned. Another point for dogs.
5) Cats don’t listen to what you say like dogs do. Some people like the independent nature of cats but I would much rather they listen to my commands like dogs do. They might do some things you say but for the most part they really don’t give a crap. It’s pretty easy to see that dog training is a lot easier than cat training. One point for dogs.
6) One big argument for each side is which one is smarter. I think both cat people and dog people have very valid points for why their respective side is smarter. Personally I think they are equally smart in their own ways, which are very different. However, dogs appear to be smarter due to their trainability. Dogs are used all over the world for many different things by the military and police. They are also used as guide dogs, guard dogs, working dogs, hunting dogs, and many other things due to their trainability. You don’t see cats doing any of this. But if you have cats, you will notice their unique problem solving skills and other subtle things they do to outsmart any dogs in the house, and even the humans. I don’t know how to explain it but they are deceptively smart! Because of that I am giving them both another point here.
7) When it comes which is more fun to own, I think a lot can be said for both sides. On one hand dogs can be really funny and cute all by themselves plus they can be taken on walks and a lot of other places as well as playing fetch and other games. On the other hand cats can be very entertaining to watch when they are playing with their toys or running around the house, and you can play quite a few games with them too. Weighing it as evenly as possible overall, I would say that dogs are just slightly more fun to own. Give dogs another point for this but going to give cats a half point too.
8) Cats are certainly easier to take care of considering they are very self-sufficient. Give them food, water, and clean the litter box every few days and they pretty much handle the rest themselves. Definitely a point for cats.
9) In my experience cats are a lot cheaper than dogs. They require less food and supplies, and don’t need to go to the vet as often. They usually don’t cost as much to actually buy either. Another point for cats.
10) Cats aren’t as destructive as dogs for the most part. They don’t typically chew things up like puppies and some adult dogs do. They also don’t ruin your carpet with their muddy paws every time they come inside after it rains. Their claws can be very destructive but those can be removed, thus taking away most of their ability to destroy your house. I say cats get a point for this one also.
Add up the points = Dogs 7, Cats 5.5
The results are in. It’s very close, but dogs win the “better pet” battle in the end. I guess there’s a reason they call Dogs “Man’s Best Friend” and not cats.
If this convinced you to get a dog then I recommend adopting a pit bull from your local shelter.
Okay, I’ve given my analysis of cats versus dogs. What do you think?
Cats are much better than dogs. I have had many cats that “protect” the home by alerting that something is around that shouldn’t be. Cats can be taken places you just have to know your cat – until two weeks ago we couldn’t take one of our dogs anywhere because she was so anxious. However our cats Pirate and Deuce love car rides and going to the pet store. Dogs fawn all over people because they have been turned into perpetual puppies – wolves and other wild canids reach a true adulthood while our companion dogs remain dependent upon us for every resource – you would be exuberant everytime you saw your caretaker too if you couldn’t eat, drink, pee, poop, play or do anything really without them. Our cats greet us excitedly everytime we get home, sit with us, cuddle with us. And trainability isn’t a sign of intelligence, rote memorization isn’t intelligence – it’s simply conditioning. Cats can be “trained” to do many tricks just like dogs. Cats are more intelligent because they learn without being taught or “trained” they figure things out on their own. Litter box use is more preferable than walking a dog, or even having to let it outside. Dogs also get dirty going outside and bring that in the house. Dogs roll in dead things. Dogs have to be housebroken. Dogs chew everything. Dogs bark. Dogs have to be taught how to behave civilly – cats come pre-civilized, they are clean, there is no house breaking, no manner teaching, no walks in the cold or heat. Cats are soft and wonderful to cuddle with, dogs are hard and bony. And cats don’t have body odor – dogs stink! Cats win everytime. Who wants to have to command their “best friend” around? A friend should be an equal, a dog can’t be your equal because you have to boss it around and teach it to behave and worry about doing everything for it.
@Amy Bishop – You have brought up many very valid points. Thank you very much for your comment. I actually wrote this post back in 2009 so quite a lot of things have happened since then. I now have two cats and I have learned a lot more about cats in general. Although, I still prefer dogs, I would say my cats versus dogs opinion is very close to a tie nowadays.