Pet dogs and pet cats: How do they compare?

Question

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.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

Dogs love a nice scratch in select places, you can tell by their enjoyment face and the way they just lean in towards you when you do it. A nice rub can have the same effect too. Dogs are sturdier and less likely to randomly claw you than cats are, so it's safer to pet them in many areas. A lot dogs enjoy soft gentle petting too, but it seems to be the scratching that really gets them going. Smacking them on the head however, sounds very strange to me. Nothing wrong with a good rough rub though, if the dog didn't like it they'd let you know.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

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.

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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.