01 Are Dogs Better Than Cats?
You've probably been asked at some point in your life if you're a dog person or a cat person. Some people love both animals. But if you had to live with only one, which would you choose?
There's been an ongoing debate between dog people and cat people for decades, maybe even centuries. Now it's time to face off just for fun. Let's explore some reasons why dogs may be better than cats.
Not to worry, cat lovers! There are also a lot of reasons why cats can be better than dogs.
02 No Litter Boxes!
Even cat lovers probably don't love their litter boxes. No matter how well you keep up with them, there's always a lingering smell. The litter often tracks all over the house. It's almost impossible to find a good place to put the litter box in a small house. Scooping the stuff is stinky and dusty.
Dogs don't need litter boxes. They can be house-trained and most can stick to a schedule. They can use the yard or do their business during walks. You only have to pick up the poop, not the urine the way you have to do with litter boxes. And as for the poop, you can simply use poop bags on walks and a poop-scooper in the yard. Cleaning up poop may not be fun, but many think it's the lesser of two necessary evils. Best of all, it happens outdoors, not inside your home.
03 Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun
There's only so much play you can do with your cat. Many cats love to play with string toys and they'll bat their little cat ball toys around, but it's almost like they're humoring you.
Dogs love to play, and it's often interactive play that they want--with you. You can play fetch with a ball or a disc. You can enjoy an exciting tug-of-war session. You can play chase in the yard. If your dog gets along well with other dogs, you can even set up a doggie "playdate" with another pup. Just make sure both dogs are healthy and will get along.
04 Dogs Adapt Better to Change
Cats are usually sensitive to their environments and dislike change. Most dogs tend to accept change more easily, at least when their owners act like it's no big deal. Of course, there are plenty of neurotic and fearful dogs out there, but as a species, they're often calmer in the face of significant alterations to their lifestyles.
When it comes to introducing new people, pets or items to your home or moving to a new house, cats generally need more time to adapt. They don't automatically trust that all is well. They want proof first. Most dogs take their cues from their owners. If you're cool and calm when that new baby comes in your door, chances are that your dog will be, too. Of course, protective breeds might not be quite as accepting of strangers.
05 More Control Means Less Destruction
Try to control a cat and you might hear the tiny sound of kitty laughter. Most cats will go where they want to go, jump where they want to jump, scratch where they want to scratch, and mark whatever they think needs marking. Then there are those hairballs, which are most easily found when you're barefoot in the middle of the night.
Dogs can cause a whole lot of destruction, too, but you can usually crate train a dog and keep him and your home safe and secure while you're away. Most crate-trained dogs consider their crates to be their own special places. Try putting a cat in a crate or behind a closed door and you'll have one unhappy kitty.
When you're home the word "no" can have a lot of power over a dog when it's spoken in a stern voice. Try saying that to a cat and you'll be lucky if he glances in your direction while continuing to do whatever he was doing that brought about your response.
06 Training Dogs is Easier
Okay, cats can technically be trained, but even cat lovers admit that it's not as easy as training a dog. Even food-motivated cats will soon tire of training sessions and walk away. Or, they'll just smack the food out of your hand and eat it anyway. In general, cats train humans better than we could ever train them.
However, most dogs actually enjoy training. It seems to give them a sense of purpose. It's a job, and most dogs love to work. Plus, many dogs are highly motivated by food and attention. They'll gladly sit, stay, shake, lie down, and roll over in exchange for a delicious reward.
Dogs seem to display a sense of pride when they've done a good job. In fact, dogs often "act out" because they're bored. They need more exercise and mental stimulation. Training helps provide the latter.
07 Dogs Have Greater Potential
When's the last time you saw a cat in a vest working hard to help people? It's true that cats have an important place in animal-assisted therapy, but they're generally not suited to other types of work. Dogs have been helping people just about as long as they've been on earth. They were working on farms as herders and drovers hundreds of years ago.
Today, many dogs still work on farms, and they serve even more noble purposes. They act as service dogs, guiding the blind, assisting the handicapped, helping the police and military, participating in search-and-rescue efforts, and comforting the sick. Some dogs can even detect seizures and sniff out cancer. That's some way to earn one's keep!
08 Dogs Can Protect You
It's not a cat's nature to defend your home or you. Cats are more likely to run and hide when faced with trouble, but most dogs will instinctively protect their owners and their territory. They'll bark or growl to alert you to the presence of strangers, and many will even scare off intruders. Dogs can sense our fear and they'll respond if they think we feel threatened.
A large dog with a loud bark may seem like the better watchdog, but small dogs are sometimes even more alert when it comes to detecting outside noises. The little ones may not be able to physically fight off intruders, but they'll certainly alert you about the danger. And many would-be intruders will avoid contact with any dog for fear of being bitten, no matter what the pup's size. No offense, kitties, but protection is not your specialty.
09 Dogs Come in More Shapes and Sizes
There are different breeds of cats, but many of them don't vary a whole lot in shape and size. Sure, you have your giant Maine Coon and your uniquely-coated Devon Rex, but most house cats are mixed breeds, sometimes called "moggies." They come in many beautiful coats and colors, but the differences between cats are subtle compared to the differences between dogs.
It's hard to believe that a tiny little Yorkie is the same species as the huge Great Dane. If you decide to get a dog, you'll have plenty of choices available. Do you want a giant dog, a small dog breed or something in between? Would you like a herding dog with endless energy or a cuddly lapdog? Perhaps a well-balanced mixed breed is your preference. Mutts are not to be overlooked! There are even some low-allergen dogs for the mildly allergic. There's a type of dog for just about any household.
10 Dogs Promote an Active Lifestyle
Cats stay home and do their own thing, or they go out and do their own thing. Some people have been known to walk their cats through the neighborhood on harnesses, but that's not the norm.
Just like humans, dogs need plenty of exercise. We can even make them part of our own exercise routines. Most dogs love to go on walks. Many enjoy running with their humans. Some can be trained to run alongside a bike. Many dogs make wonderful hiking companions. Also, dogs can participate in dog sports like agility, flyball, disc, and diving. Dog sports are great for fulfilling a dog's need for mental and physical exercise.
This article was first published on www.thesprucepets.com
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