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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:
GayParis · 17/10/2021 08:58

I have both. One cat, two dogs.

I love them both just as much. I'm neither a cat nor a dog person. I'm both Grin

Immaculatemisconception · 17/10/2021 09:07

Lots of dog owners are arses who let them poo everywhere or run at you or don’t keep them on leads. Dogs eat poo an then try and lick your face or hump everyone. They bark constantly.

You generally prefer cats then? 😂😂😂

SignOnTheWindow · 17/10/2021 09:17

Neither. Guinea pigs!

turkeyboots · 17/10/2021 09:29

We never has pets as children. My grandparents all had big scary working
which we were not allowed near. one cousin was bitten very badly once which reinforced the rules that the dogs weren't pets. So dogs aren't furry babies to me, they are violent and loud and smelly.

My cats aren't violent or loud and one loves DH so much he sits at the door every evening waiting for him to come home, and sleeps with him every night.

Immaculatemisconception · 17/10/2021 09:41

My friend was in hospital for a week, after her cat bit her. Her arm got infected and she had to have surgery and IV antibiotics.

Apparently cats carry some really nasty germs, due to the mice and birds they catch.

Spidey66 · 17/10/2021 09:43

We had a cast for 18 years, now have a dog. Tbh always wanted a dog, but as we were both working, a cat seemed easier to care for....and he was. All you need to do for a cat is feed it and occasionally take it to the vets. The only issue was holidays. He was a great cat and he was well loved but.....now we have the dog omg we are obsessed. We love her loyalty, her craziness, her ability to get others talking, her need for exercise forcing us to get exercise, her quirky behaviours (that dog will watch the washing machine for hours), her total delight at the simple pleasures in life.....the list goes on.

I say to my husband we need to 'be more dog's. She doesn't care about work, money, politics, pandemics. She lives in the moment. Give her a ball and/or some bubbles (she loves them), us, and an open space like a park, and she's as happy as Larry.

Spidey66 · 17/10/2021 09:44

Cat not cast!

Autumnpurple · 17/10/2021 09:46

I grew up with cats so have a preference for them. Love their independence but also the cuddles and love they give you. They are so easy to look after, they keep to themselves quite a lot but are very funny animals. Feel really confident reading cat behaviour/moods etc.

I’m the opposite with dogs though! Really unsure around dogs, can’t read their body language, too much energy for me but I understand how loyal they are to owners and can be great companions. I think I’d love an old golden retriever if I ever did have a dog, a gentle giant would be nice!

PlanetTeaTime · 17/10/2021 09:50

I LOVED cats as a child (still do)

I generally find people that say they're a dog person and specifically don't like cats, have never had a pet cat.

I love both and have both. To be honest, if I'm out and about and I see a cat I'm a lot more inclined to want to interact with them, whilst I love MY dog (I even have an insta page for her) but am not particularly bothered by other peoples dogs

afaloren · 17/10/2021 09:51

I love all animals but until a few years ago had only ever had cats as pets. I would still describe myself as a cat person just because I have an instinct for them and find them very easy to get on with.

I will say that getting my dog a few years ago really opened my eyes as to why people feel so strongly about them. You are so responsible for their quality of life and they just adore you in a way which can be almost overwhelming. It’s a huge responsibility and while not like having a child, it is a lot MORE like having a child than cats are.

I like chatting with other dog owners as I’m a bit of a shy, awkward person and it gives you something easy to talk about! But then I love to come home and have a good cuddle with my soft, purring cats.

ShesComeUndone · 17/10/2021 09:56

I have both but, secretly, prefer my dog. She is a friend, she is simple and loving and undemanding. Greets every day with excitement and positivity. My cat treats every day with disdain and I can tell that if she ran out of food she would eat me in my sleep! She wants to be stroked but five seconds later wants to scratch you. My dog would never hurt me and honestly seems to care about how I am feeling.

afaloren · 17/10/2021 10:03

Also one thing I love about having both is their relationship with each other. My cats just about tolerate the sight of each other but they both adore the dog and will butt their heads against him, twine their tails around him, curl up with him and go to sleep. I think interspecies friendships are fascinating and it’s so cute to watch them interact.

Daisy829 · 17/10/2021 10:03

We have both & I adore them. Cars are much easier but our cat is v independent so I get more love from the dog & he’s fun company.

Chemenger · 17/10/2021 10:05

I love dogs but I’m too lazy to own one. They seem like a lot of effort. Cats are very little work and they purr.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/10/2021 10:14

I grew up with a cat and a dog. When I met dh he already had 3 cats - all rescues. Over the next 25 years we have had a succession of cats, all but 2 have been rescues. We are now on numbers 8 and 9.

With the exception of one cat, I've tolerated rather than loved them. The one cat I did bond with was adorable but far more like a dog than a cat. He had been a stray and was desperate for affection. Sadly he developed a digestion issue which we treated with medication for as long as we could but eventually he died far too young. I was heartbroken.

We rescued our current 2 cats 5 years ago. I haven't bonded with them. Obviously I look after them, feed them, interact with them and cuddle one of them - the other one hates being touched. But I don't love them.

Then last year I changed job and now am wfh permanently. So after years of wanting one, we got a dog. DH was slightly reluctant but couldnt say no as I had put up with cats for 28 years.

Our dog is the best thing ever. DH adores him, as do I. Yes, he is needy, we can't leave him alone all day, he's a lot of work BUT he is also so rewarding. He is loving, playful and cuddly. He's as good as gold whilst I'm working, he goes for runs with DH , he is brilliant for DS' mental health.

Even DH is now a convert.

Trinacham · 17/10/2021 10:34

Is it often split like this?

I'm 50/50. I've had both and love both. Right now, I'm an owner (or owned!) by 2 cats. They are a joy to live with, but also a pain (one pees on the floor occasionly and also is prone to an upset tummy). I adore them and wouldn't swap them for a dog. But I'm not firmly in 'camp cat'. I would like a dog again someday, maybe even when these 2 are still here (they are laidback Ragdoll cats and get on well with dogs)

I can only assume that those who are split either have only ever owned one sort, or have had an usually bad experience with either. My experiences have always been good and bad with both. I love that we can leave our cats to do as we please and be gone for a whole day and they'll be happily waiting for our return, but won't need us until we do. They greet us at the door and follow us around the house, much like what people seek in a dog.

Trinacham · 17/10/2021 10:39

@Immaculatemisconception

My friend was in hospital for a week, after her cat bit her. Her arm got infected and she had to have surgery and IV antibiotics.

Apparently cats carry some really nasty germs, due to the mice and birds they catch.

Wouldn't be a problem for me. My cats would never bite me. They are very laidback and soppy. They do play bites, which aren't hard and don't penetrate the skin. Also, they don't go outside due to their breed. The breed doesn't fare well outdoors as they are so dopey and have 0 road sense! Puppies on the other hand.. their bites hurt!!
GingerAndTheBiscuits · 17/10/2021 11:01

Didn’t like either growing up, quite scared of both into adulthood. But then spent more time with dogs and rescued one this year and she’s lovely. Not sure I’d ever have another though, it is a big responsibility. Cats still make me nervous.

RandomMess · 17/10/2021 17:11

Have both.

Dog is more work but more rewarding.

Our cats are a particularly needy breed but at least can be left home alone far longer plus survive with just being fed my a neighbour for a few days.

Joolsin · 17/10/2021 17:23

I am firmly in the cat camp - I love them - they are clean, independent, funny, smart and cuddly. Whilst i have liked a couple of individual dogs down the years, in general i don't like them. Too needy, too noisy, too energetic, too in your face, the swinging poo bags are disgusting. When you pick up a dog, they are weirdly solid and barrel-like whereas cats are kind of stretchy and elastic. If you say you don't like dogs, people react like you're a serial killer, whereas it seems quite acceptable for people to say they hate cats.

cannedheat · 17/10/2021 21:55

So when I was born a cat and dog where already in situ.
I totally loved both and if my working life would allow I'd own both now. As it is I have a cat who treats me with utter disdain most of the time but if I'm upset she'll sit very close to me whilst giving me a side eye saying "get a grip I need stroking"

Notdoingthis · 12/11/2021 23:26

I grew up with a dog and never wanted one of my own. They stink. I didn't want a car either. I like dogs on beaches. I don't like any animal stuck in a house, or too close to me.
Now I have 2 cats. Never imagined I would but I have a dh and 3dc and so we got cats. I would now say I am more camp cat. They are ok. But I would prefer no animals.

Notdoingthis · 12/11/2021 23:27

Oh and the cats love us. They want to be with us all the time. I want them out the house, but they love human company.

minipie · 12/11/2021 23:31

You have to pick up a dog’s poo for the rest of its life

MissDollyMix · 12/11/2021 23:37

I grew up with both. My parents married and my mother brought her dog and my father his cat. As a small child I was very drawn to the dog (even though she hated me and bit me quite a few times!) I was petrified of the cat though. My mother who loves all things furry couldn’t tolerate my cat phobia so she bought me a ginger kitten who became the love of my life. I was utterly cat obsessed for quite a few years. In the end though my natural draw to dogs won out and now I have my own family we have two dogs. My DD loves cats and I like them but I don’t think I could see myself with one now. I find them unhygienic- they jump all over work surfaces, beds etc, bring in dead animals, their food stinks, litter trays…yuk! Dogs in contrast get you out for exercise, you can chat with other dog owners, they’re loyal and trainable.