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Original poster

Why cats and why dogs?

80 replies

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 16/10/2021 21:36

I've been wondering why most people either like cats or they are firmly in camp dog?
I've always known I prefer cats since I was tiny. My family didn't like animals so we never had any pets. Im On cats number 10 and 11 now so its not family influence.
Id only have a dog if it was either that or no pet at all ut cats are my true love.
I wonder why the world is split like this. There must be a reason.

OP posts:
TurnUpTurnip · 16/10/2021 21:38

I don’t dogs, I would never want one, we have a cat, some people have both 🤷‍♀️ My mum had cats and dogs.

dementedpixie · 16/10/2021 21:39

Dogs need more input and can't be left for as long.
We got 2 cats and they can come and go as they please as they have a catflap. Currently have one on my lap. The other prefers the kids

PixelatedLunchbox · 16/10/2021 21:48

I've had both, I prefer cats. Dogs are like a toddler -- needy and require a lot of energy from their person. Besides that, cats bathe themselves, they purr, and they smell betterGrin

hiredandsqueak · 16/10/2021 21:51

I'm scared of cats, their claws, how they move silently, how they can jump with no run up, their eyes, they really freak me out. I've always been scared of them, I really hate how they sense I'm scared and choose to come close to me. My aunt's cat never bothered with anybody but her until I visited and then she'd spend the whole time I was there trying to get on my knee.
Dogs are just so much more simple, easier to read and easier to please.

TurnUpTurnip · 16/10/2021 21:52

Don’t like dogs* that should be

NiceGerbil · 16/10/2021 21:53

I'd guess exposure/ experience, culture and your personality?

Know plenty people who grew up with both and like both/ or who have both.

Culture- some don't see cats/ dogs in same light I'm pretty sure.

Experience- I was bitten twice by random dogs when young. Also laws were different. You saw strays about a bit. And some dogs were known to bite and no one really did anything. Eg neighbour dog bit postman, my dad, others. Also owner and got infected had a bit of leg cut out or something. Was a kid. Something bad for sure.

Personality-

Dogs seem to be more like little kid kids. Want attention, devoted to owner/s. Need to be taken for walks etc.

Cats more do their own thing. Lower effort by far. Affectionate in a different way.

So totally different really.

Incidentally- random thing I read!

Pet cats miaow at humans to say they want something. Otherwise they don't tend to miaow when grown up. They learn that it makes us notice them and that might get a bit of food etc.

Also recently they found out kittens that are with humans have the same reaction to their human. As kittens with mum do to the mum.

I think the kneading when we stroke them is a kitten thing as well. Something they do to encourage milk when feeding? Or something.

I'm coming to think that we shouldn't be separating animals in general from their babies as soon as we do often do.

The behaviour of some Egyptian geese on pond nearby has made me rethink a lot of stuff humans seem to have assumed for a long time.

NiceGerbil · 16/10/2021 21:55

People with pet rats say they're ace.

DH would lose his marbles and I don't want another pet!

Why are hamsters always popular esp for kids when they are nocturnal, hate being handled and known for aggression? That's odd.

Roadhouse111 · 16/10/2021 22:00

I have both, they are 100% completely different.
Cats are calm, they purr, I feel relaxed with them, they sit on my knee, they chat to me quietly, they lie on top me and purr when I'm sad or feeling poorly, they headbutt my hand when they want love, they roll on their backs and let me sniff their soft as butter tummy fur.
My cats are honestly sent from the calm part of heaven, they make me feel zen.

The dog is a ball of energy and sometimes stress, she barks so so loudly, she wakes me up at 7am every goddamn morning, she stinks sometimes, she eats everything including aforementioned cats poos fresh from the tray, she digs up my garden, she runs around like a loon.
But....
She is ALWAYS insanely happy to see me even if I've been away for 20 mins, she forces me to go a walk when I don't want to, resulting in me feeling better, she licks my face and looks into my eyes without malice, she is so much fun to play with, I love the very bones of her

You can't compare cats and dogs because it's comparing chalk and cheese.

I always said I was a cat lady, til I got a dog, and now I love my cats and I love my dog.

Just wish they'd love eachother Grin

MrsRobbieHart · 16/10/2021 22:02

Im On cats number 10 and 11 now

How old are you??

DramaAlpaca · 16/10/2021 22:02

I grew up with cats, never had dogs until I met DH. Now we have both.

Much as I love our two dogs (one in particular totally adores me and considers me his special human) I will always be more of a cat person.

Hellocatshome · 16/10/2021 22:04

I have a foot firmly in both camps. I have 3 cats and a dog, I have 2 ducks as well but we aren't talking about them not many people are team duck.

I always think cats are like having teenagers they can generally cope by themselves as long as food is provided so when they come for a cuddle its extra special.

Dogs are like toddlers, needy, want to be touching you all the time, fun to play with.

Biancadelrioisback · 16/10/2021 22:10

Both give us the furry baby vibe, something cute and wonderful to love and take care of, but in different ways.

Dogs are more dependent and cats are more independent. I think they answer different personality types or instincts.

I like both. Grew up with both. I love big dogs to play with and cats are better for knee snuggles.

Original poster
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 16/10/2021 22:12

I'm 60 Mrs Robbie but I've had 4 plus cats at the same time over the years. Currently got 2. Most of them have lived to 18, one to 20. A couple died young. And I adopted most of them as adult rescues.

OP posts:
Handsoffstrikesagain · 16/10/2021 22:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Tubbyinthehottub · 16/10/2021 22:17

Exactly what Roadhouse111 said. Just so different. The love between me and my cat is so intense and the dog is fun and ridiculously happy and I do love her a lot but she's not easy and sometimes she smells awful

MrsRobbieHart · 16/10/2021 22:19

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

I'm 60 Mrs Robbie but I've had 4 plus cats at the same time over the years. Currently got 2. Most of them have lived to 18, one to 20. A couple died young. And I adopted most of them as adult rescues.
Ahh ok!!
Katkinsgreyy · 16/10/2021 22:24

I do like both. However I would choose cats every time! My obsession started when I was around 5 (not sure what started it).
I just love them and can't imagine not having one

NiceGerbil · 16/10/2021 22:25

Ooh! I know it was an obvious ASK ME! I didn't think anyone would ask though!

I think Egyptian geese.
Saw the pair arrive and when had chicks there were 7.
Always one looked after one went on sentry duty. Usually on top of nearby sign. If spotted dog anywhere it would yell and shout to warn other parent till it was gone.
Ok with people but if anyone got bit close sentry would come and they would stand between chicks and human and glare, corral chicks off if need to.
We were all- great parents.
BUT THEN
As babies grew turned out one had funny wing. Someone told us what was. Anyway couldn't fly.
As they got pretty big the family would go off together and always come back to hang out with that one as family.
Eventually the young are grown and they all went off and about....

They still come back and visit a year later! Esp the parents. You won't see them for 3 weeks then yep. Parents hanging out with that one. And sometimes siblings too, one or more.

I mean maybe everyone knows this but I was... Taken aback. I was also told stuff like. Birds can't count their babies. Memories not that long. Babies grow and and leave for own lives and that's that.

To see them remember and pop back was... Woah...

Handsoffstrikesagain · 16/10/2021 22:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Immaculatemisconception · 16/10/2021 22:28

I don’t understand cats, they seem pointless as pets. My dog is ecstatic to see me in the morning and if I’ve been out. If I’m sad she cuddles me. I walk her twice a day and I love the fresh air and exercise. I meet other dog owners to chat to at the park. All the things I like about dogs, you don’t have with a cat.

silentpool · 16/10/2021 22:31

Cats are just easier than dogs - no need to walk or entertain them. I always get Persians who are ridiculously cuddly creatures so I am also very doted upon/greeted at the door etc.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 16/10/2021 22:32

I love cats and always have since toddlerhood. I wouldn't mind a dog if time and finances would allow if, but since they don't and I'm too lazy/selfish to properly look after one I stick to cats.

thistimelastweek · 16/10/2021 22:35

I just like dogs.

They are pure of heart and soul

Joy on.legs.

(Those that aren't have been messed by people. )

TurnUpTurnip · 16/10/2021 22:48

@Immaculatemisconception

I don’t understand cats, they seem pointless as pets. My dog is ecstatic to see me in the morning and if I’ve been out. If I’m sad she cuddles me. I walk her twice a day and I love the fresh air and exercise. I meet other dog owners to chat to at the park. All the things I like about dogs, you don’t have with a cat.
There all the reasons why I like cats and not dogs, cats are so much easier and I barely see mine 😂 couldn’t stand a dog in my face all day
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