Introduction
You have probably been asked at some point in your life if you are a dog person or a cat person. Some people love both animals. But if you had to live with just one, which one would you choose?
There has been an ongoing war between ‘dog dog’ and ‘cat’ for decades, perhaps even centuries. Now is the time to tackle just for fun. Let’s look at some reasons why dogs might be better than cats.
Don’t worry, cat lovers – there are also many reasons why cats can be better than dogs.
No cans
Cat lovers also probably don’t like their litter boxes. No matter how comfortable you are with them, there is always a lingering smell. The garbage follows the whole house. It is almost impossible to find a good place to put the litter box in a small house. Dig stuff is smelly and dusty.
Dogs don’t need litter boxes. They can be home-trained and most can stick to a schedule. They can use the yard or go about their business on walks. You just have to collect the poop, not the urine like you have to do with waste bins. And as for poop, you can just use poop bags on walks and poop in the yard. Cleaning poop might not be fun, but many think it’s the lesser of two necessary evils – and it happens outside, not inside your home.
Dogs just want to have fun
There is only so much play you can play with your cat. Most love to play with string toys and will beat their little toys with the ball, but it’s like they’re humming to you.
Dogs love to play, and it’s often an interactive game they want – with you. You can play catch with a ball or a puck. You can enjoy an exciting tug-of-war session. You can play hunting in the yard. If your dog gets along well with other dogs, you can even set up a dog playdate with another puppy – just make sure both dogs are healthy and get along well.
Dogs are better adapted to change
Cats are usually more sensitive to their environments, while dogs tend to accept changes more easily, at least when their owners act like it’s not a big deal. Of course, there are a lot of neurotic and frightened dogs out there, but as a species, they are often quieter in the face of significant changes in their lifestyles.
When it comes to introducing new people, pets, or items to your home or moving to a new home, cats generally need more time to adjust. They don’t automatically believe that everything is fine. They want proof first. Most dogs are inspired by their owners. If you are cool and calm in front of that new baby who walks through your door, chances are your dog will be too. Of course, protective breeds may not be quite as acceptable to strangers.
More control means less destruction
Try controlling a cat and you may hear the tiny sound of kitten laughter. Most cats will go where they want to go, jump where they want to jump, scratch where they want to scratch, and score whatever they feel they should score. Then there are those hairballs, which are most easily found when you’re barefoot in the middle of the night.
Dogs can also cause a lot of destruction, but you can usually train a dog and keep him – and your home – safe while you are away. Most crate-trained dogs regard their crates as their special seats. Try putting a cat in a crate or behind a closed door and you will have an unhappy kitten.
When you are at home, one word – ‘No!’ – can have a lot of power over a dog when pronounced in a stern voice. Try telling a cat and you will be lucky if it looks in your direction as it continues to do whatever it is doing that caused your response.
Training dogs are easier
Okay, cats can technically be trained, but even cat lovers admit it’s not as easy as training a dog. Even food-motivated cats will soon get sick from training sessions and walk away, or just mash food out of their hand and eat it anyway. Cats train humans better than we could ever train them.
But most dogs love to train. It seems to give them a sense of purpose. It’s a job, and most dogs love to work. Additionally, many dogs are highly motivated by food and attention. They will be happy to sit, stay, shake, lie down, and roll in exchange for an edible reward. Dogs seem to show a sense of pride when they have done a good job. In fact, dogs often ‘act out because they are bored. They need more exercise and mental stimulation. Training helps provide the latter.
Conclusion
When was the last time you saw a cat in a vest working hard to help people? It is true that cats have a place in animal-assisted therapy, but they are generally not suitable for other types of work. Dogs have helped people as long as they have been on earth. They were working on farms as shepherds and herdsmen hundreds of years ago.
Today, many dogs still work on farms, and they also serve more noble purposes: as guide dogs, guiding the blind, assisting the handicapped, aiding the police and the army, participating in search and rescue efforts, and comforting the sick. Some dogs can even detect seizures and smell cancer. This is a way to gain strength