Skip to main content

Why cats are better than dogs

I know I'm going to get some flak for this one from all you pooch lovers, but hear me out.

I think dogs can make wonderful pets. They're affectionate, intensely loyal, and can serve in a variety of roles -- whether it's to guard one's house, sniff out drugs, or assist the blind.
The reasons why I'm partial to cats, however, are many:

  • I've never had a dog in my life. I have had three cats, though.
  • They're less work -- you don't have to bathe them, take them for walks, or clean after them like you do dogs. I love the fact that cats are so hygienic; give them a litter box and they're good to go.
  • Dogs tend to be more energetic than cats. As someone who is generally calm and enjoys a leisurely pace, cats seem to fit my temperament better. 
  • Dogs make more of a mess around the house. They bring dirt into the house and leave slobbered toys behind. 
  • They're less expensive, not only when it comes to buying the actual pet, but feeding it, giving it toys to play with, and so on. 
  • Cats don't bark. At my pet-friendly condominium complex, dogs on balconies or patios regularly engage in barking matches that can go on for an hour, if not more. I like the fact that cats are quieter and less disruptive in this regard.
  • Whereas dogs are needy, cats are far more independent. A cat might meow when it's hungry, but once finished, it'll go about its business. Many people see this as being cold or self-absorbed, but I much prefer such behavior to a dog that won't stop licking your face no matter how many times you tell it to stop. Indeed, one has to earn a cat's affection, and I don't mind stepping up to the challenge.
  • Studies show that cats can lower stress, reduce anxiety, and relieve depression. 
  • While dogs are generally considered more affectionate than cats, you'd be surprised at just how loving some cats can be.
In the end, it's different strokes for different folks. If you don't mind the fact that dogs require more maintenance, then maybe it's the pet for you. I like to simplify my life in as many ways as I can -- which is precisely why a cat would suit me better. 

Do you have any pets? Which of the two do you prefer, and why?

Check out more posts at How to Understand People.
Labels:

Comments

Lynn said…
I'm a cat person. I agree. I rescued a cat from the cold back in the winter of 2007. She saved me from depression so I did her a favor and I saved her life as well. I named her "Angel". She's 10 years old, now. Proof that cats can help soften depression. I'm proud to call myself a "Cat Lady".
July 17, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually.  Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker.  Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar.  When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca
Post a Comment
Read more

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n
6 comments
Read more

Misconceptions about quiet people

Earlier today, I came across a Facebook page that features motivational quotes intended to improve people's moods and enhance their overall self-esteem. Interestingly, I noticed two quotes that focus specifically on quiet people: "Be afraid of quiet people; they're the ones who actually think." "The quietest people have the loudest minds." I've observed that most people's views of quiet individuals can fall under one of two categories: 1. The ones who say quiet people are antisocial, suspicious, snobbish, and/or full of themselves. 2. The people who say their introspective nature and propensity to be deep in thought makes them smarter than their more garrulous peers. The quotes above speak to this mindset. As an introvert known to be quiet at work and at social functions where I might not know anyone, I feel I'm well positioned to dispel any inaccuracies surrounding quiet folks. First of all, the above statements misguidedly put
1 comment
Read more