Dogs are much more loved by society than cats

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I was just watching For Dogs Sake with Pete Wicks and Dogs Trust and realised there isn’t anything like this for cats. This is the second season and there’s also been For the Love of Dogs, plus that channel 4 programme The Doghouse and probably loads more that I haven’t seen.

I never see anything like this for cats… I think Jo Brand did one years ago but other than that, where are all of the heartwarming shows about cats needing homes?

I also notice that when I tell people I have 2 cats, a lot of them say “ugh I hate cats” yet when I say I have a dog no one ever tells me they hate dogs. I feel like there’s this almost over the top love of dogs sometimes where people treat them like babies, whereas cats seem to be hated on a lot or seen as the inferior pet. (In general of course! I know there’s many many cat lovers out there)

I like both cats and dogs, but I really REALLY love dogs. For me the difference is in the relationship. I think dogs engage with humans on a level that cats generally don’t. I know some cats seem to have more personality than others, but it’s just not quite the same- hard to explain. Maybe it’s just because all the cats I’ve had (6 to date) have been pretty independent whereas dogs rely on their humans much more. My cats have always seemed to have an attitude that they don’t care much whether I’m around or not- they could go and catch themselves some mice and birds if I fail to feed them. But the dog is always very very excited to see me, so I suppose my dog preference relates to my own sense of needing to be needed!

Yes, having both cats and a dog I can confirm this is true for myself. I have memories with my dog of days out and trips away and adventures. Always by my side, ready to cheer me up. Before I got cats I didn’t really get it, i never hated them because I don’t hate any animal, I love them all. But I didn’t quite understand them and misjudged them. Now that I have cats, especially a scared rescue who loves and trusts only me and no one else, I feel I have EARNED their trust and love and that’s a great feeling and very rewarding. They all have their own unique personalities and quirks and honestly have brought so much to my life

Cats kill tens of millions of birds a year, decimate the local wildlife population, and their shit is toxic. That's all in their nature.

Most of the issues you have described with dogs are down to bad ownership.

In the game of which sucks more, without human involvement, cats do. And I am a cat owner.

Speak for yourself. I love seeing dogs in restaurants and pubs so long as they are well behaved. One of my favourite things about visiting the Lake District is getting to fuss over all of the adorable dogs and even though I don’t take my dog on holiday, as he wouldn’t enjoy it, I’m actively attracted to dog friendly businesses because I love seeing everyone’s dogs and ideally getting to make a fuss of them.

This has nothing to do with society and everything to do with TV. You can make TV about dogs waaaaay more easily than you can about cats. I won't list the zillion reasons why as they should be obvious, but it's encapsulated by the term 'herding cats' versus the fact that some dogs are able to herd other animals. Forget about what TV can get commissioned and made, and think instead of the popularity of cat videos. Cats are great for candid stuff and loads of folk love them. To start comparing which is loved most is a bit silly as they're a textbook example of some people being into one or the other, there is no outright winner.

I hate dogs and love cats.

Dogs are social animals, not just because they do well with other dogs, but mostly because they're "out there" with their owners, they act as a social lubricant, they create interactions between people.

Cats are very much more reserved and exclusive to their home.

Could not give a fuck about dogs. Hate them being in pubs and shops and restaurants and all over where I wish to go for a walk and borking endlessly in the gardens around here and bouncing around being a pain on the beach.
But I would never EVER say that to anyone with a dog, it would be unspeakably rude.
And actually, I think I've only felt like that since every other household got one in lockdown - prior to that I would say I was ambivalent.

This is so true. Plenty of people (myself included) hate dogs, it's just not socially acceptable to say it to dog owners. I assume that if I did, they would spend ages listing all the reasons why I was 'wrong'.

Whereas when someone tells me they hate cats, as a cat owner I would just shrug and let them get on with it. The affectionate bond between a cat and owner is subtle and hard to understand from the outside.

I have some people's dogs as facebook friends as I couldn't think of a reason not to when asked. Can your dog read and write seemed too sarcastic to say at the time. People are weird about their dogs.

Saying that, dogs do make great companions and are fantastic when trained working dogs, assistance dogs, etc. I don't hate them, I just hate the way people inflict them on us all over the place. They are not as welcome as they think they are and I do think many dog owners are blind this. Not their fault really, as so many of us pretend to be ok with it.

I hate dogs.
I hate walking my kids around and having to tell them not to go near big dogs...
I hate stepping in dog shit all the fucking time.
I hate having random dogs bound up to me and get mud all up me only to be told 'oh he's only playing...' fine, I'll smear mud up your legs and say Im only playing....
I hate people cooing over dogs, letting them lick their faces with their butt-lick-tongues.
I hate dog food - it stinks.
I hate dog hair - your house stinks.
I hate dogs in restaurant & pubs - It's filthy having animals around food.
I hate dogs in jackets - they look like wankers.
I hate people yelling at their dogs - shut up! Im here too and this space could be peaceful.

I love cats.

I'd like cats to be banned, they have a devastating effect on wildlife. They also shit all over my vegetable patch it's absolutely disgusting - never had someone else's dog do that.

I hate dogs in jackets - they look like wankers.

😂

Most dogs are a total pain in the arse (to everyone except their family of course)….. but I LOVE cats!!!! They are so, so, so adorable and lovely and wonderful ❤️❤️❤️

I have no respect for them because they're dim.

Cats don’t give the unconditional love, loyalty and entertainment of dogs. They claw you, ignore you, kill birds and small animals and leave them in your house. And shit in gardens of people who don’t have cats. Ugh.

😂😂😂😂

Every time I see a dog in a coat I inwardly chuckle.

You don’t see cats walking around the streets in jackets when it’s a bit chilly or there’s a bit of rain do you?! 😂

Cats are Hard Core, they’re the Real Deal.

I’ve had dozens of cats and they can be just as affectionate as dogs.They have such different personalities. My own dog is lovely but only affectionate on his terms and that’s perfectly fine. I don’t feel the need to be fawned over constantly.

That’s a bit conspiracy theory tin foil hat territory brain washing? 😂 I think the cartoons followed the reality of people loving dogs, rather than creating it.

Like others I think dogs just make much better TV - but there are plenty of cat shelters and charities in real life, and plenty of cat lovers. There is a reason that 'crazy cat lady' is a stereotype!

I love cats. I like dogs too but cats are my favourite. Both our cats died last year and I miss having them sleeping on my lap or running up the path when I got home (they were very affectionate especially the male).
DH is less keen and doesn't really want anymore pets so we probably won't get another one.
I'd like to see something about cats. I don't know if dogs are that popular,, most of our neighbours have no pets or cats.

Most cat owners will admit their cat can be a bit of a bastard.

You don't get that with dog owners, it's all he's friendly, he's just playing, he won't bite you probably

Incidentally I have no thoughts about people who either like or dislike dogs or cats. People who say they like dogs more than people scare me, though, because what they mean is 'I prefer interactions where the other party is unconditionally obedient and has no real agency'.

I wish mild inconvenience on every cat I come across.

And there is plenty of reason for it to be the case, OP. Dogs not wander into neighbours’ gardens or even slip into open doors, exploring spaces that aren’t theirs.
So yeah... OP, there is no smoke without fire.