Dog people

[OneHornedFlyingPurplePeopleEater]

Well prepared for some abuse here, as I know people can feel strongly on the subject.

I'll start this by saying I love dogs AND cats, my family has both and I've grown up with both.

But why do so many people hate cats, specifically those that call themselves dog people?

Why is it necessary to hate cats just because you like dogs? It's not like you have to choose. No one is forcing you to own one.

And why when you say you've got a cat do so many people feel it necessary to tell you they hate them. I've not really come across the same hatred towards dogs from 'cat people'.

I don't like either. And I'm not sure I agree with you that there is more "cat hate" from dog people. I think there is a weird strength of feeling from some people about it though, like cat people and dog people are two sides and you must therefore pick one, and hate the other.

You don't get Guinea pig owners with such strong feelings about rabbits.

I love both cats and dogs but I have dogs as personally I find them easier to look after. People do seem to be a bit tribal about being Team Dog or Team Cat though!

I got dogs and miss having a cat too.

Earlier today on MN someone suggested a new topic for Dog Haters. I suggest MN also has a related Cat Haters topic. Then the haters can spew their bile to their hearts' content, and don't need to bother us normal folk.

I don't hate cats I just wish people would keep them securely in their own gardens so they don't bury their shit in my vegetable patch and kill all the local wildlife.

I'm a cat person. Never had any desire to own or live with a dog.
My NDN has two dogs and a cat. I prefer his dogs to his cat 🤣.

I’ve only known one person who didn’t like cats but apparently loved dogs, despite never having one and seeming uncomfortable around them. apparently he only like ‘big dogs’. He was just a twat.

People I know are mostly animal lovers, a few aren’t really animal people, but no one just loves dogs and hates cats.

We have lots of animals including dogs and cats.

Haven't had a dog in years,I don't have the time to dedicate to one unfortunately.It has been so long he used to take himself for a walk and knew what time to come back in,I was 7.

My mums cat is fiercely protective of her. He tried to warn us when mum was seriously ill even sat on the cancer affected area and guarded her when the paramedics came for her.He cries for her every night and I can't console him.Those of you that are saying that cats aren't loyal are wrong,you haven't raised them correctly.

I equally adore dogs and cats and have always had both.
Mind you, once my current cat breaks my heart and goes, we won't be getting another.

I'd say considering how many anti dog posts there are on Mumsnet daily that dog lovers are well out numbered by dog haters & cat lovers.

I have never come across this. You need to get out more.

I think people can love, like, hate, or be ambivalent to lots of animals.
I am not a dog, cat or horse person - I don't hate them, have owned the first two varieties in the past, but have no wish to own one now.
As long as people don't treat any animal badly it doesn't matter to me how they feel about them.
I do think calling anyone who doesn't 'love' a particular animal a 'hater' is a bit ridiculous and I do think some pet owners expect everyone to love their pets as much as they do.

People who moan about cats and dogs tend to love to complain about everything else. They are addicted to complaining. Anything with four legs sets them off.
They suck the joy out of life and are utter misery guts to be around.
I have recently lost one of my cats, both sets of neighbours came to watch him being laid to rest in the garden, they loved him. I'm so glad l live where l do, next to decent kind people.

I am massively allergic to cats and it's really hard to love something that causes you to not breathe well. They also won't leave me alone. I have never been able to hold one so I can't bond with one. I also have to pick up on average 12 poos off the lawn from neighbours cats a week and it makes the whole place stink. I have tried every humane cat device possible to stop them but nothing works.

I watched Dogs Vs Cats as a kid and it had a lasting effect. Also in Lady and the Tramp the cats are evil. Snowball's friends in Stuart Little are mean too. Sylvester is always trying to kill tweety. Tom was always after Jerry.

I feel like I've been conditioned to dislike cats 🫣

I don't think it's serious, it's a cat v dog pisstake most of the time.

There's a lot of cats are arseholes stuff (they are) and all that but again, it's not usually real.

As someone else said, most people I know who have hated cats have been bird/garden lovers.

I like cats and have had them in the past. I prefer dogs though.

I prefer dogs but quite like cats. I would have a moggy if I didn't live on such a busy road.

They're very similar really.

I'm a dog owner. I love cats. Wish I could have one. I have never met a cat hating dog owner.
The claim that dog people are more likely than others to hate cats is completely groundless. So is the claim that cat hating among dog owners is more common than dog hating among cat owners.
Honestly, people's capacity to invent conflicts and grievances seems to have gone off-the-scale bananas. Social media seems to create a need for something new to be upset by every single day.

I have a severe cat allergy and have been hospitalised just by being next to someone who has a cat.

I also dislike them crapping in my garden, sunbathing on my flat roof and crapping there too so my house stinks when the sun shines.

Just a couple of reasons why I'm a 'dog' person and not a 'cat' person.

It looks quite clear, I obviously just know some weird people that like to take sides.
It's good to know most people are normal about it.

I LOVE dogs, I'm not keen on cats but I don't hate them. I'd struggle to dislike any animal. However, like other posters have said, what makes people with cats think it's fine for them to come into my garden, rip my plants up and shit all over it?

I have experienced what OP is talking about. I love cats and dogs but now only say I have cats if I know the other person likes/has them because of the comments.

Stating that you dislike cats because they aren't programmable to be loyal or obedient is a bit disturbing!! You only care/want/love creatures if they are biddable?

I do agree that cats killing wildlife is horrible (especially if they don't eat it - mine do eat everything, including moles and rats meaning I never need pest control or poison) but humans do more damage to the environment/wildlife/animals than a natural/domesticated predator ever will so it is a very hypocritical to hold that against cats unless you are a vegan woods dweller with a 0 carbon footprint.

I do wish there was more adopt don't shop though - backyard/accidental breeders and the pedigree cat industry is totally unnecessary.

This is a legitimate thing! Mention you have cats and people respond with “I hate cats” or “I don’t like cats” or “I prefer dogs”. Ok, did I ask?? And yes , why do people think they need to choose? I reject the cat person/dog person binary! There are no two other animals that pitched as opposite where you need to fall on one side or the other.

Do cat owner think it’s ‘fine’ though or just inevitable because you can’t train cats? Foxes do similar and people don’t seem to hate them anywhere near as much. Personally I’ve always kept my cats indoors because people are so nasty to cats in their gardens and set dogs on them and all sorts