Difference between dog people and cat people?

I am definitely a cat person, although I love dogs and most other mammals as well. I like the "intuitive" theory. I have always had a much better understanding of cats and how to communicate with them, than I do with dogs. When I became a dog owner, I really had to work at learning about them in a way I've never had to do with cats. That intuitive understanding just isn't there for me, with dogs.

I was a cat person, NO question, for most of my life. When I was four my aunt's "nice" little dog bit me on the face, and 25 years later I still have a scar right between my nose and my lip. I can still remember it as clearly as if it happened last week. So most of my life I was pretty much horrified by dogs.

Somehow when I was probably 9 or so I developed an obsession with cats. I got my first cat when I was 10, Fluffy (well, what do you want, I was 10 and he was FLUFFY!), and he was the love of my life. He came with me when I moved away from home, and he was literally my best friend. He passed away four years ago this month, and I really didn't want another cat for a long time.

However, over the last 10 years or so, I've met many AWESOME dogs, and if I was in a position to have one now (more time, a house, and room to run), I wouldn't hesitate to get a dog. My favorite doggie friends have been a husky, a German shepherd, and a boxer -- so needless to say, I've pretty much overcome my fear!

But then I got my Neko... And yeah, I'm a cat person again He needed a friend, so I got Mikey, worried that Mikey would be "Neko's cat" and not feel like mine (I haven't had two cats in my adult life). Mike was very scared around people, and his foster mom said it might be a month or more before he would really come near me. Try one evening! He hid under the bed for maybe two hours, then suddenly walked up to me and demanded to be petted. He's been stuck to me like glue ever since! So yeah, I'm definitely an all-around animal person (someone pointed out that I have pictures of all kinds of animals on my desk at work and no people), but, le sigh, le purr, I'm a cat person. I won't go into comparisons (while dogs are smellier, they are more protective... You could go back and forth forever), that's just the way it is.

I'm a dog person. I grew up with dogs and love the loyalty and friendship they provide. I also find that they are always more in tune with me. They always know when I'm happy (they want to play) or when I'm sad (Come sit by me and let me pet them for hours). The problem is the constant attention they need, and with my Spinal Arthritis, there are some days when I can't get out of bed to walk a dog. So we have a cat, and I love him and his quirkiness, but sometimes I find myself wanting to teach him how to play fetch, and I have to sneak belly rubs when he's asleep. Poor Poe. hehe.

I like all furry creatures (except mold)

I had a dog growing up and would LOVE to get one as an adult. However 4 cats in 1000 sq feet (plus or mnus) is too crowded for a dog.

So I have to wait. It's kind of a downer because B is a total cat person. So he's resistant to my wanting a dog.

I keep telling him that with a dog I could exercise more by taking it for walks and such. He just doesn't get it.

I enjoy running around and playing with my dogs during the day. And I thoroughly enjoy sitting down and relaxing at night with a purring cat in my lap. Dogs are for playing, cats are for relaxing! In fact, after a long day of walking dogs at the rescue I volunteer for, I go into the cattery and rest my weary muscles surrounded by purring furballs.
Its a nice way to end the day.

I am both ... only for three years was I without a dog ( three yrs of mourning for my 17 yr old and 13.5 yr old ) .... I was without a cat for 3 yrs one time and 18 months a second... I will never again be without either.. My dog is my baby ( she is a yorkie) and so is my cat and cat sister... My dog is easy to take care of then Kandie do to KKs age ... she and Zoey take the same amount of work, one need s a walk the other a potty box cleaned to her needs ....

I like all animals, but have never had a dog and wouldn't want one. I prefer more independent characteristics in pets, a dog is primarily a pack animal and wants to be with his pack all the time, I think it would bug me after a while! I do love them as I am an animal lover, but they're not for me.

One of our volunteers brings his dog to the office a lot, it is a nice dog - although it growled at me and backed me out of the door the first time I met it, but I think he didn't know that I belonged there, we made friends afterwards and now he follows me round the office looking up at me with his begging doggy eyes. I have muddy paw prints and dog dribble on my jeans. He sits and paws at me all day, or rests his head on my leg. Very sweet but I couldn't take that need for attention 24/7!

Now Radar can be affectionate when he wants to be, but it's only when he wants to be. He is happy to cuddle when he is in the mood, and he is also happy to amuse himself jumping in and out of cardboard boxes or finding a hiding place from which to ambush us when we walk past. I much prefer that independence.

Definitely a dog person. All my life I have been able to connect with dogs, strange ones, dogs that belonged to friends etc. They are direct like me. And they don't smell bad unless you feed them cheap food!! They are easy to train and a lot of fun.

Cat pee smells awful and I hate how they are finicky about food. I don't enjoy cats anywhere near as much as I enjoy dogs except for Brady of course, who is a great cat. But other people's cats are like other people's kids to me. I can take them or leave them, I don't ooh and aaah over them.

My whole family is cat-oriented more than dog-oriented. My mom was arm-twisted into getting a dog (standard schnauzer) when I was very little. It was too big for our tiny house and never properly house broken. He was skittish and nervous all the time. Maybe he didn't like little kids! But we've never had another dog after him in these twenty+ years. Then when I got married, I hoped my husband would be a cat person more than a dog person and he is, so that worked out! Turned out his Grandma was a breeder/hoarder of afinpinshers and they annoyed the heck out of my DH by yapping, ankle biting, pooping and peeing everywhere and then rolling in it, smelling bad, and running over the whole house. So there will be no dogs for us.

But that doesn't stop me from loving animals in general, and animals seem to like me and are drawn to me personally because I have some sort of empathy with them and can intuitively understand their personalities and their needs. I don't mind walking with and hanging out with my friend's dogs and they like me; I just don't want to take them home with me

I think I'm more of a dog person than a cat person when it comes to personality... Dogs WANT to be near you and love you and follow you around the house and sleep in your bed and etc. which I haven't really found to be the case with most cats. So that's why I really RESEARCHED cat breeds before adopting our second cat (our first cat was given to us) and went with breeds that are described as "dog like" (Maine Coons, Ragdolls, etc.) Unfortunately, we haven't really found a cat who is super-friendly yet, despite having purebreeds, but our 2yo Coon is finally starting to come around! (I guess that goes to show that there are always exceptions.) As far as caring for the animals... I'm definitely a CAT person! Cat's are SOOOO much easier to take care of than dogs! ...When they're not pooping in the bathtub, that is!

I have had dogs since the day I was born and I love dogs. And they are very loyal and nice to have around but at the same time dogs are alot of work and once our number of dogs go down I would like to have 1 dog but that's it.
But with cats I am just absolutely spellbound by them. Half the time people don't even know I have a cat unless she makes an appearance. I can't imagine not ever having a cat again and if it was upto me I would have about 3 or 4 cats. So I am defiantely more of a cat person than a dog person.

I have always had cats in my life so that is why I am a cat person. I love puppies, but they can grow to be big and dogs are more high maintenance than cats. I am also not home enough to be able to take care of a dog. I just prefer cats because that is what I grew up with.

I'm a total cat person. I tend to be quiet, and like my life quiet too, and dogs are remarkably too noisy (fun to visit and play with, but really noisy).

I think people tend to resemble either a dog or a cat, and like that one. I'm quiet, distrustful but affectionate once someone's proven themself, picky, and sleep in a little ball. People who remind me of dogs are friendly and trusting, in my experience, and tend to have more presence.

It doesn't sound weird to have trusted a dog with your life. I have a friend whose horse saved their life more than once, and many dogs have died trying to protect their families.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

I'm a total cat person. I tend to be quiet, and like my life quiet too, and dogs are remarkably too noisy (fun to visit and play with, but really noisy).

I think people tend to resemble either a dog or a cat, and like that one. I'm quiet, distrustful but affectionate once someone's proven themself, picky, and sleep in a little ball. People who remind me of dogs are friendly and trusting, in my experience, and tend to have more presence.

It doesn't sound weird to have trusted a dog with your life. I have a friend whose horse saved their life more than once, and many dogs have died trying to protect their families.

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I love my dogs but they are noisy and I guess over the years I have changed quite a bit. But I have always been a quite sorta off beat type of person and I guess that's why I feel so connected with cats.