It has been endlessly debated whether dogs are better than cats. Let’s just say the jury’s still out. But there are many reasons why some people prefer dogs vs. cats. Here are just a few of them.
It’s been scientifically proven. Dogs generate five times more of the love hormone, oxytocin, when they see their humans compared to cats. When you get home from work, your dog will wag his tail, jump on you, and come in for a quick cuddle or nuzzle. Your cat, on the other hand, may completely ignore you.
In addition, dogs love to play and can be a lot of fun, especially for active families. You can play fetch, tug-o-war, or chase with your dog. Dogs are also up for outdoor activities like running and swimming.
In contrast, cats tend to be quieter and less rumbustious. They will sometimes play with a string toy, but this is often a solitary activity and does not involve you or children in the family.
Dogs are more trainable than cats, in general. Even the most ardent cat lovers will admit that training a cat is only technically possible. Practically speaking, cats are more likely to train their humans.
Given that both cats and dogs can cause a lot of destruction around the home, dogs are better than cats because they’re trainable. You can crate-train your dog, but try putting your cat in a crate and you’ll soon find yourself with one unhappy kitty on your hands.
In general, dogs adapt better to change, whether it is a change in routine or a change in environment. So, if you move around a lot or have a busy family with a constantly changing schedule, a dog may be a better pet for you. Also, dogs are better at taking cues from their owners. If you act cool about a new baby or remain calm when the daily routine is suddenly disrupted, your dog will probably play along as long as you don’t panic. With that said, dogs do sometimes experience anxiety when presented with change.
Cats generally dislike change and are more sensitive to changes in their living environment.
One of the best things about dogs is that they go to the bathroom outside. They can be toilet trained and will stick to a schedule. Cleaning up dog poop is not fun but you can use pooper scoopers that make it a less disgusting task.
Even cat lovers will admit that litter boxes are not something they’re particularly fond of. Not only do they leave a lingering odor in the home, they also create a general mess with litter tracking all over. In addition, scooping up stinky cat poop and urine is not a fun job. What’s more, if you have both dogs and cats in your household, you may find that your dog has a nasty habit of eating cat poop from the litter box. Also, if you live in an apartment or small house, a litter box can take up precious real estate.
One area where dogs are certainly better than cats is in protecting their owners and home. This is instinctive to a dog’s nature. Even a small dog will bark or growl to warn you of a stranger. Dogs can even sense their human’s fear and respond to it if they think there’s a threat. Some dog breeds make particularly good watchdogs or guard dogs, such as German Shepherd Dogs and Doberman Pinschers to name two. Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to hide when faced with danger.
Given that dogs are intelligent and trainable, they have great potential to work in a variety of work settings. Some examples of dogs with jobs include therapy dogs, service dogs, farm dogs, police and military dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Cats are creatures of leisure and can routinely be found sleeping in the best spot in the home.
Dogs are better than cats if you need motivation to get physically active. Having a dog means you will take her out for a walk a couple of times a day at the very minimum. Your dog will also encourage you to get active during playtime in the yard or at the dog park. Many dogs love to go running, hiking, or swimming with their owners and will even run alongside when you’re cycling. Making your dog a part of your exercise routine is good for both you and your pooch. It’s a win-win situation. Cats, in contrast, tend to go out and do their own thing.
If you choose a dog as your pet, you have a huge variety at your disposal. Dogs come in numerous sizes and shapes. You can choose a 7-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound English Mastiff. As you may know, there are pros and cons of large dogs vs. small dogs. Also, different dog breeds have certain known personality traits and temperaments. This gives you a lot of choice in bringing home a dog that will match your lifestyle. On the other hand, while there are different cat breeds, they don’t vary much in size, shape, or temperament.
We’ve listed many reasons above why dogs are better than cats. At Puppy Hero, we are a little partial to dogs, but we don’t want to annoy any cat lovers. So, here are some reasons cats are better than dogs.