Why I prefer cats over dogs

I grew up with dogs---first a Collie-Cocker Spaniel mix, and then a purebred Siberian Husky---and although they were sometimes affectionate, they had a lot of flaws. Both of them would knock things over, beg for food, pester guests, and be typical loud dogs. The former was also very grouchy and would eat out of the garbage and later vomit on the floor.

My cat, on the other hand, whom I adopted last year, is clean, well-mannered, low maintenance, and doesn't have a bad smell. She does rub up against people's legs, but she doesn't jump on them like our Siberian Husky did. She also greets me whenever I come home, and will lick my face. She has all of the pros of dogs and none of their cons, in my opinion.

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

Hmm sorry you don't like the pleasure of owning a dog. I don't prefer my cats over my dogs. I love them both the same. and I don't consider them as 'filfthy' creatures like you do. They are NOT 'filfthy' - there's pros and cons of owning cats too. No animal is perfect.

If the dogs smell bad to you which they don't to me, you need to bathe them more or feed them them a better quality food.

Do you have dogs right now? It's unfair to bash the dogs when a lot of people own them and it's disrespectful. But you can feel what you want. I really don't see why people hate dogs and love cats more. But if you don't like dogs, then you shouldn't have one.

Originally Posted by cat father

I grew up with dogs---first a Collie-Cocker Spaniel mix, and then a purebred Siberian Husky---and although they were sometimes affectionate, they had a lot of flaws. Both of them would knock things over, beg for food, pester guests, and be typical loud dogs. The former was also very grouchy and would eat out of the garbage and later vomit on the floor.

My cat, on the other hand, whom I adopted last year, is clean, well-mannered, low maintenance, and doesn't have a bad smell. She does rub up against people's legs, but she doesn't jump on them like our Siberian Husky did. She also greets me whenever I come home, and will lick my face. She has all of the pros of dogs and none of their cons, in my opinion.

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

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I have a different perspective to share
I have three dogs, they are GREAT. They are what you put in and they are the loves of my life. My cat, who I also love, is the only always in trouble, high maintenance and loud. Sometimes tears up stuff. My dogs never tear things up. She cannot be trained, unlike dogs, who do want to please us, cats please themselves primarily. And I have to personally pick up her feces daily from inside my home (litterbox) and she walks on the counter where we prepare food with paws that handled her litter. But isn't she cute

All my life I have been a dog lover, and ever since I was 10 I decided when I was older I would have a golden labrador puppy.
I wouldn't say that I'm a dog or a cat person - I love both!

It sounds like your former dogs could have benefited from proper training. A properly trained dog is well rounded and behaves well at home and out in public. (jumping, obnixious barking, begging, etc are all signs of lack improper or no training. All of those behaviors are easily corrected with positive training techniques and patience). Also you have to keep in mind that certain breeds are designed to do different tasks so what you may see as obnixious behavior might have just been a dog doing what it was designed for (some dogs nip heels or "herd" because they were designed to work with livestock, some bark because they were ment to alert hunters when they spotted prey/etc....the list goes on and on....to truely train a dog well you have to understand the breed/mix and work to turn what may seem like a negative behavior into something positive with good training.)

I've spent years working with both cats and dogs doing everything from fostering and rehabilitation to working as a vet tech for animal control and training for search and rescue. Every animal is unique and as individual as their owner....the way the owner treats the animal and trains them determines a lot about how that pet will turn out. If someone is willing to put in the time and effort to train and care for their pet- they are going to reap the benifits. If someone allows the pet to become unruly and run the house, they're going to create a monster with lots of problems. You get what you put into the relationship with your animals..that goes for both cats and dogs.

I have had numerous dogs and love them just as much as my cats. My current dog, Hagan, is a German Shepherd and is going through obedience classes at the moment....he's a joy to be around and the most good natured pup. (He is not foul-smelling, nor were any of my other pups. As long as you bathe them on occassion and brush them (which you should do for a cat as well), there is no need for a dog to have a foul odor- if your old dogs did, that could have been due to poor dental hygeine (dogs need their teeth brushed regurally, as do cats or they can easily develop peridontal disease and bad breath) or from needing their anal glands drained or a good bath.) Also, a proper diet is very important to a dogs coat and digestive needs- feed a dog low quality food made with lots of fillers- and it will show in their coat, their breath, and their overall condition.

It is wonderful that you love your cat. I love all 3 of mine as well. Please keep in mind though that there are members here on TCS that own both cats and dogs that might take offense to someone using the adjectives you did to describe man's best friend.

I won't argue that cats (the majority) are easier to care for day to day than dogs so some people do prefer them over dogs. But, it does sound like the dogs you grew up with were in desparate need for more training. That being said, some dogs are harder to train than others. Sometimes its due to breed, sometimes the dogs personality, and with some its just basic intelligence. I have 4 dogs, and our chocolate lab was a dream to train. She picked things up almost immediately. Her daughter (lab/shepard mix) isn't quite as smart but she does know the basics. Our Samoyeed came pretty much trained except for barking, but that's just the breed. Everything I've read about them say "this breed does bark...a lot". Our pug is just stubborn (and very smart) so I've about given up on her. We don't have the time to REALLY train them, so I accept their short comings and acknowledge the fault is ours, not theirs.

I love all animals and make a decision on each one individually. There are some dogs that annoy me but there are also some cats too that I would prefer to never be around again.

You have everyright to prefer one species over the other, but don't be knocking dogkind until you've met every canine on the planet.

I feel you here, I love dogs, but have never been able to commune with one like I can a cat. There are two who live with me at the moment, and one of them I've managed to sort of train despite that. He loves me, and visa versa, but neither one of us really understands the other.

I'm so much like a cat myself that it's easy for me to undrstand what they want, and to motivate them want to do what I want them too, but dogs are beyond my comprehension. They're fun, and frequently funny, but yeah, they are loud, could care less if they are clean, want to be the center of attention, and love everyone. I know people like that too, and don't understand what motivates them either!

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

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Dogs only have flaws that people give them. It sounds to me like your former dogs had little to no training.

I am a dog person. I have been bitten and scratched by too many cats. I LOVE my cat, but he's awesome and almost more of a dog. He wrestles with my dogs, he loves to be smacked around [in a playful way of course!], he has tons of personality and best of all I can do anything to him. I can clean his ears, trim his nails, bathe him, poke him, whatever, he's fine. Although he has to be sedated at the vet because he becomes a totally different cat there. Dogs adjust much better to the stress of a vet clinic and even aggressive 100lb dogs are much easier to deal with than an aggressive cat.

Cats are easier to care for in that you can leave them with their litter box and food home alone and they will maintain themselves. However I like the fact that my dogs listen to me when I tell them what to do, and I like that I can take them to work [a vet clinic] and they don't try to eat me. I would like to add as well I have known many cats who don't like to groom themselves and are stinky and fowl, cats that are even young with this issue. I also see a lot of matted cats that people can't brush. We also have clients who have cats that they can't pill or barely can medicate with liquid meds. My cat like I said, I can do anything to therefore he's awesome, but I like the fact I can pill a dog and am likely to not have my hand taken off where we have a lot of cats that are difficult to handle and medicate.

I have had dogs and cats my whole life, to me they are equally rewarding just in very different ways.
When a dog behaves inappropriately, it is always the human's fault, because the dog was either never taught any different, or it is acting out for attention.

My dog is ten and when I adopted him as a nearly grown puppy, he knew nothing beyond house training.
He was a lot of work to train, but having him has been the most rewarding thing in my life next to rescue/fostering.
He is quiet, he does bark if someone knocks on my door or enters 'his' yard.
But he also loves everyone he meets, however, he is also very protective of me when needed.

As a woman living alone, you cannot ask for a better housemate than a dog, in fact, I reccomend it whenever housing allows for it.

My oldest cat is 15, and she can no longer groom properly and will not allow herself to be groomed, never has, she turns into a tasmanian devil if you try.
So she gets smelly, and I frequently have to go on mat patrol and do a few snips here and there.
But even though the cat smells bad and usually looks terrible I still don't see her as anything other than a complete joy to be around, no different than my dog.

Love is not only blind, but it's also deaf and has no sense of smell

I always had dogs growing up; I was never allowed to have a cats because my grandfather doesn't like cats. All of my former dogs were amazing. I don't like dogs so much anymore. Actually, let me rephrase that. I don't like my boyfriend's dog. That is because hev is exactly what the original poster described. Loud, nasty, foul smelling, eats everything, eats out of the trash, begs, eats poop. Of course, all of this behavior is my bf's parents' fault for NOT training him properly. I like dogs, always have, but I do consider myself more of a cat person. I have always said that Duke would have been a much better behaved dog, had bf's parents trained him correctly, or if he had been adopted by another family. My brothers dog, however, is the perfect kind of dog for me. She is a Basenji, a breed that does not bark, and she is trained beautifully. I do plan on a dog in the future, but I want a German Shepherd, and s/he will be properly trained and will behave as I believe a dog should behave.

I am not really a dog person, either. I don't hate them, I just have no luck in dealing with them. If someone says their dog won't bite, it will bite me, or at least nip at me, no matter how well behaved it is. I have had several over the years, and could not get them to be anything but the disobedient, foul smelling, rowdy creatures that the original poster described.
I love my kitties, and plan to be the crazy cat lady in just a few short years. Ok, maybe I already am the crazy cat lady.

I love dogs and in many years I'll probably get a toy poodle from the breed rescue around here (my dream career, alas, is low-paying so I'll have to save up). But I do think cats in many ways are more humanlike than dogs-with dogs it's mainly adoration, but with cats you have a more complex bond. I also think cats are more intelligent. I love the love of the dog, and the emotion of the cat would be a good way to sum it up.

Originally Posted by cat father

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

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Helpless? I volunteer at a rescue shelter for dogs and cats, and I've known dogs who knew how to open their runs, knew how to climb out of their runs/the exercise area, and knew exactly which way to throw themselves at the building's door to get it to open. Many dogs are very intelligent, and without proper outlets for this intelligence they will get themselves into trouble.

And some people like dogs because they love to do competitive sports with them such as agility, dock diving, weight pull, obedience, and of course showing in confirmation. This stuff is FUN, and I would love to get into agility someday.

Different breeds appeal to different folks. Maybe those breeds just weren't right for you? A husky and a collie/cocker mix both would likely have been high energy breeds. I have no desire to own either of those breeds, my heart truly belongs to the guardians. Nothing like a dog who is a big lump of cuddliness one moment and ready to fearlessly protect you the next!

I love dogs. I have 2 dogs and they are both amazing. They are intelligent, loving, loyal, funny, well-behaved, and unique. Seeing as my border collie mix is my service dog, saying she is helpless would be wildly inaccurate as she saves my life every day. I've grown up with both cats and dogs and love them both more than I can say. You're of course entitled to your opinion, but as many of us are animal lovers in general, the way you described dogs could be considered offensive to many.

P.S. Off topic- Hi, Sweet. I know you from Chaz.

Originally Posted by cat father

I grew up with dogs---first a Collie-Cocker Spaniel mix, and then a purebred Siberian Husky---and although they were sometimes affectionate, they had a lot of flaws. Both of them would knock things over, beg for food, pester guests, and be typical loud dogs. The former was also very grouchy and would eat out of the garbage and later vomit on the floor.

My cat, on the other hand, whom I adopted last year, is clean, well-mannered, low maintenance, and doesn't have a bad smell. She does rub up against people's legs, but she doesn't jump on them like our Siberian Husky did. She also greets me whenever I come home, and will lick my face. She has all of the pros of dogs and none of their cons, in my opinion.

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

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I find this whole statement very offensive, along with a lot of others I'm sure. I have a Vizsla (lives with my parents) and he is a great companion. I'm a firm believer that pretty much any breed of dog can be a great pet, provided it gets the proper training, environment, exercise, etc. that is required in owning one.

Dogs can be extremely useful too, so they are not helpless or useless or anything in any way. Like service dogs- I don't think anyone can argue that they are needed and provide a great service to people.

And as for most dogs having a lot of flaws, a lot of cats have flaws as well. Everything and everyone has flaws, it's unavoidable. It sounds like the dogs you have had weren't properly trained and didn't get the attention/care that they may have needed. There's ALWAYS a reason for the way a dog acts or the things it does. They aren't just born naughty, something has to happen to create it.

You may be a cat person exclusively, and that's absolutely fine, but don't you dare put down those of us who love our dogs and think of them as a useful member of the family.

It's very insulting!

Originally Posted by mismaris777

I find this whole statement very offensive, along with a lot of others I'm sure. I have a Vizsla (lives with my parents) and he is a great companion. I'm a firm believer that pretty much any breed of dog can be a great pet, provided it gets the proper training, environment, exercise, etc. that is required in owning one.

Dogs can be extremely useful too, so they are not helpless or useless or anything in any way. Like service dogs- I don't think anyone can argue that they are needed and provide a great service to people.

And as for most dogs having a lot of flaws, a lot of cats have flaws as well. Everything and everyone has flaws, it's unavoidable. It sounds like the dogs you have had weren't properly trained and didn't get the attention/care that they may have needed. There's ALWAYS a reason for the way a dog acts or the things it does. They aren't just born naughty, something has to happen to create it.

You may be a cat person exclusively, and that's absolutely fine, but don't you dare put down those of us who love our dogs and think of them as a useful member of the family.

It's very insulting!

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I agree 100% with you! I have seen on this site lately some people are anti dog.

I have a dog and cat, so I know exactly what you mean. I love my dog, but the cat is just so much easier. It took me one day to litter box train my cat and about 3 or 4 months to house train the dog. My dog is always wanting attention, which is not bad necessarily (especially not for me since I have kids who can give her attention too), but the cat is happy to have alone time for himself too. My cat is the best of both worlds for me too...lovable and playful at times and out of my hair at others. Not that their is anything wrong with people liking dogs better or both equally, I'm just saying I know how you feel.

Originally Posted by cat father

I grew up with dogs---first a Collie-Cocker Spaniel mix, and then a purebred Siberian Husky---and although they were sometimes affectionate, they had a lot of flaws. Both of them would knock things over, beg for food, pester guests, and be typical loud dogs. The former was also very grouchy and would eat out of the garbage and later vomit on the floor.

My cat, on the other hand, whom I adopted last year, is clean, well-mannered, low maintenance, and doesn't have a bad smell. She does rub up against people's legs, but she doesn't jump on them like our Siberian Husky did. She also greets me whenever I come home, and will lick my face. She has all of the pros of dogs and none of their cons, in my opinion.

I don't see what others see in loud, perpetually foul-smelling, helpless creatures that always seem to be getting into trouble. Some breeds seem to be okay, but most dogs seem to have a lot of flaws.

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Each to his own I suppose. I could go on about my step-daughter's cat who would hiss at my dog for eating out of his own food bowl and who peed wherever she pleased - including in my husband's tool box. Should I also mention how she clawed up the wooden banister near our front door? I could also go on about visiting friends who let their cat explore kitchen countertops and dining room tables after having its poo-poo paws in the litter box but as I said: each to his own.

This post is the classic reason why I spend a lot of time on dog forums doing my best to educate owners as to how to help their dogs become treasured members of the family. So many dogs are obtained as cute puppies and dumped at shelters when they are nine months or a year old because the owners cannot or will not take proper care of them. And by that I include training. Over and over I hear people say that they hope that dogs will "outgrow" the nipping phase or that they are eliminating indoors out of "spite" and that they "know they have done wrong." Dogs can become wonderful family companions, but most need us to communicate to them what we expect and they need it done in their language. They do not train themselves and they will not tell you if they are ill and need medical attention. If anything they try to hide it. I figure if I can help one person understand their dog better and solve whatever training, nutritional or health problem they have by getting rid of silly misconceptions, that is one less dog that ends up at the shelter when it's no longer a cute puppy.

Dogs are opportunists and do what they get rewarded for. If they beg for food at the table and someone gives it to them, guess what? You've just taught your dog an easy way to score human food. If your dogs were eating out of the garbage, someone was neglecting them by not taking proper care of them. There are dangers in garbage that dogs do not understand. When one of my dogs thought she was going to be a garbage dog I solved the problem: a spray or two of Lysol in the trash every day made it unappetizing and broke her of the habit.

If a dog smells bad and you do nothing, again, this is neglect. A foul smell can be the result of a poor diet (feed your dog the good stuff and not the cheap supermarket kibble), bacteria in the coat (BATHE your dog with the appropriate shampoo!), an ear infection (take the dog to the VET), or a dental problem such as an abcessed tooth (the VET).

I have two dogs and a cat and I enjoy them all for what they are. My cat by the way begs at the table - I've rewarded him for it by giving him a little egg or cheese. He's figured out that I am the soft touch and not daddy.

All three of my critters put a smile on my face many times a day. They are not perfect but neither am I. Far from being helpless, my pets do a lot for me. My dogs make sure I don't work too hard and do their part to convince me to go out and play or get some fresh air. My cat is not very affectionate but that's fine with me. I enjoy his personality. He greets me when I come home and makes sure I know that he is famished and needs a treat. And he's never peed where he wasn't supposed to or even scratched anything that wasn't intended for him to scratch.

Both of my dogs are certified Therapy Dogs and I visit a local county nursing home and adult day services facility once a month with them. They put a smile on many peoples' faces that don't have much to smile about.

I don't see how anyone could describe dogs as "helpless" when there are dogs like Faith, the service dog who saved her epileptic owner's life when her medication failed to work by
1) speed dialing 911
2) barking into the receiver
3) unlocking the door when the paramedics arrived
http://www.privateline.com/mt_dailynotes/2004/10/

As much as I love cats, I don't think there is one of them who could beat that.



I find that dogs are more work and consume more time, but to me it's worth it. Not everyone is willing or able to put the time and training commitment in that most dogs require and that's fine. But to judge all dogs by those critters who have the misfortune to be owned by people who don't know how to care for them properly is doing them a disservice.

Not only is Millie my service dog, but when my mom fell and broke her back a few years ago, she opened the closed doggy door with her nose, jumped a 6 foot fence (which she'd never done before in her life, and never since), took off to the neighbor's house where they were outside doing yardwork and barked at them, acting so peculiarly they decided to follow her, and led them to my mom. Then she layed her head down on my mom's shoulder. What a horrid, helpless creature!

Here's a video showing how horrendously disobedient she is off leash 50 yards away from me.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...t=100_3709.flv

Originally Posted by Mollysmom

Not only is Millie my service dog, but when my mom fell and broke her back a few years ago, she opened the closed doggy door with her nose, jumped a 6 foot fence (which she'd never done before in her life, and never since), took off to the neighbor's house where they were outside doing yardwork and barked at them, acting so peculiarly they decided to follow her, and led them to my mom. Then she layed her head down on my mom's shoulder. What a horrid, helpless creature!

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Wow, does that sound like a useless animal or what!

Your mom was very lucky to have such a wonderful dog around at a time like that! Definite lifesaver! (very good story to prove a point btw )