Are you a cat or a dog person? Are you an enthusiastic dog lover who just can’t stand cats? Does the idea of sharing your home with four-legged fur balls make you cringe? Or are you the total opposite and wouldn’t think of giving up your daily time with Mr. Mittens or Fluffy?
So, what kind of pet person are you? If you love animals, you likely fall into one of the two groups—dog people or cat people. Both groups can tell you why their pets are so awesome (they’re both right), but what if you’re unsure whether you belong to one group or the other?
Here are some things to consider if you’re trying to decide whether you are more of a cat person or more of a dog person.
Cats vs. Dogs
For some, the perfect pet is a dog; they’re always excited to see you and usually have no problem being alone while you go to work. For others, the perfect pet is a cat; they’re self-sufficient and don’t need constant attention.
Let’s look at some of the major differences between both pets:
Cats are mostly independent
Cats are totally cool with you coming and going as you please. Most cats are not needy, never demanding too much attention. Of course, they’ll be there for you when they want to hang out with you, but other than that, they’ll largely enjoy their own company. They don’t require daily walks; in fact, you may not even need to pet them every day.
However, some people can’t live without their cats. Cats can make better companions because they love attention, even if it’s just sitting on the couch watching TV with you.
Dogs really are man’s best friend
Dogs are loyal and trusting. They are there for you in good times and bad, and you’ll find that your dog loves to be with you more than anyone else.
Dogs are friendly and love their owners unconditionally. However, cats are not so fond of showing their affections, as they would often rather be left alone.
In addition, dogs will typically go outside with you if it’s not too cold and dirty out there, whereas cats just chill on the couch all day.
Cats have better hygiene
Cats are generally clean, with little to no odor. One reason for this is their lack of skin glands that produce oils. Cats also constantly groom themselves and take care of smells by licking their paws, which can kill bacteria.
On the other hand, dogs have more oil on their skin which causes more frequent odors. In addition, dogs may not bathe as often as cats do because they cannot lick their paws. They also spend less time grooming than cats, so their fur has more dirt.
Dogs make great travel companions
There are plenty of reasons to love dogs. They can be adorable and fun, loyal and protective of their owners, make going for walks more interesting, and just be lovable.
And although cats may get a lot of attention on the internet, there’s really no debate when it comes to which pet makes the best travel companion: dogs!
Dogs have a longer lifespan
The other important thing to keep in mind is that dogs live for about 10-14 years, but cats only live for about 8-12 years. This means your dog will be around for longer and offer more companionship than the cat would.
Factors to Consider Before Deciding Whether You Are a Cat or a Dog Person
Cats and dogs are different kinds of pets, but they each have their own pros and cons. However, that doesn’t mean there’s a wrong answer when you ask which kind is better! Ultimately it comes down to what you need and how much time you want to spend on your pet every day. As per Nuwber, even income differs between cat owners and dog owners.
Let’s examine some factors that will help you determine whether you are a cat or a dog person.
Analyze the Physiological Differences Between Dogs and Cats
Cats purr as an indicator of happiness, and dogs bark and wag their tails. Cats keep their whiskers close to their face, while dogs tend to keep theirs down. Dogs pant for breathing, while cats do not.
A cat’s ears are straight up on top of its head when alert, but in a relaxed state, the ears are tilted back. Likewise, when a dog is alert, its ears will be pricked forward, but in a relaxed state, they will usually lie flat against its head.
Cats have circular pupils that expand and contract depending on how much light there is; dogs have slits that allow them to see better at night because they can open wider than round pupils.
Finally, cats have claws that enable them to climb trees, while dogs cannot climb trees due to a lack of claws.
Take a Snapshot of Your Personality
The idea of dog people and cat people is usually just an extension of our personality. Some people prefer the easygoing life of a cat, while others want the active social life of a dog. But it’s not all about preference; what’s important is that you choose the pet you think will best suit your lifestyle.
A general look at your life might indicate what type of animal best suits you.
For example, if you are an outgoing person and usually the first one in a room with new people, cats may not be for you. They prefer more one-on-one time than dogs and would not be happy left alone for long periods.
On the other hand, if you like being more of a homebody that likes to have company but also enjoys time to yourself, then getting a cat might be the better option.
Dogs need exercise every day, so it is important to consider how much time and energy you will put into caring for them. On the other hand, cats require less maintenance but still need attention daily (at least).
Look At Behavioral Traits
Cats are generally reserved, independent, and less emotional. Cats don’t need as much care because they groom themselves, hunt for their food, and can survive without human interaction.
Dogs are sociable, pack-oriented animals that live for human attention. However, they need more care because they are born with traits like floppy ears that require grooming regularly.
But even though dogs have more care needs than cats, owning one is still very rewarding. Unconditional love from a dog is hard to find anywhere else.
The decision to get a pet should be made thoughtfully and carefully so there’s no chance of regret later on.
Examine Lifestyle Influences
Everyone is different, and while some people own different pets, we can still learn a few things from those more committed to one type of animal. So, with that in mind, let’s examine lifestyle influences and see how these may be related to cat and dog ownership.
- Pet ownership does not always imply that an individual prefers cats over dogs; someone might have a pet rabbit and dogs.
- Some people prefer to have multiple types of animals, either because they like variety or because they don’t feel they could give the same care to just one type of animal.
- Some people live alone and need companionship, so they adopt animals who also live alone.
- Others live in rural areas where there aren’t many people nearby, so they get a guard dog instead of a guard cat.
- Some people enjoy having a pet around the house to hunt pests.
- Some apartments will not allow cats, while other homes are too small for either kind of animal.
Conclusion
Just because you answer one way doesn’t mean the other animal is not for you. There’s room in the world for both.
Cats and dogs are natural rivals. Cats can be independent, lovable, and loyal. Dogs can be playful, cuddly, and sociable. Ultimately the choice is up to you.
So who do you think you are? A cat person or a dog person?
