# Why I don't like cats **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363 "2011-05-26T21:58:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/21 "2011-05-27T06:33:20Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > -You don’t have to house break a cat – that’s instinct. Mama cat teaches her kittens how to use a litterbox, so they do it automatically. You have to teach dogs not to pee and/or poop inside. Definitely a plus for kitties. But housebreaking a puppy only takes a couple of weeks. > [@](#): > > -Cats CAN be trained not to destroy things. You squirt them with water. Yeah, I tried that. My cats were unimpressed and mostly just learned not to do certain things within my line of sight. > [@](#): > > -Cats don’t really require much training. Dogs definitely require more in order to interact with the world (don’t jump, don’t run outside, walk on the leash, poop outside) BUT… training a dog is a wonderful thing that builds your relationship with it. They love it. It’s fun. As a general rule dogs are far more interactive- they both require it and it also provides a much bigger payoff than with other pets. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/22 "2011-05-27T06:55:29Z")
My biggest qualm about cats is that, when it comes to personality, it’s very much a game of chance. Some cats are very affectionate and playful, but some will tell you to go fuck yourself more often than not. I can’t remember a dog not wanting attention, unless it was abused at some point. ---
**Author:** ![kjbrasda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/74df32/32.png) [@kjbrasda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjbrasda)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/23 "2011-05-27T07:58:49Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > -cats puke. A lot. For no reason. Wherever they happen to be standing. My dogs rarely puks, and will actually normally run for the back door. If your cat is puking alot, there is something wrong. That includes hairballs. OMG does cat puke smell though. My parents once had a dog that ate an entire armchair one day. Well, it ate all the stuffing off it. ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/24 "2011-05-27T09:01:11Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > - dogs are terrorist defaecators who continually plant landmines that make backyards a toxic dump no matter how vigilant the owner is. Minus 1 Only if you have a yard. And even when I did, this was never a problem. > [@Magiver](#): > > -cats are self cleaning. Plus 1 > -Dogs require regular bathing and actively seek turds to roll in. Minus 1 I bathe my dog a few times a year, he doesn’t require more. Besides, I don’t see what’s so torturous about bathing an animal, it’s just five minutes of your time. > [@Magiver](#): > > -Cats will briefly jump in your lap and make pleasing sounds to entice you to pet them. Plus 1 My dog does this all the time and the sounds he makes are more adorable than a meowing noise. > [@Magiver](#): > > -Dogs will paint the arm of anyone within range with dog snot until they pet them. Minus 1 Very broad generalization. Not all dogs are drooly and not all dogs want to be pet all the time. Although I, for one, love when a dog approaches me and licks my hand. > [@Magiver](#): > > -Cats will silently hunt mice and other vermin. Plus 1 My dog hunts all the bugs, moths and roaches he finds in the house. > [@Magiver](#): > > Dogs will bark at ever !@#@% thing for hours. Minus 10 million Broad generalization. Tons of dogs don’t bark at everything, let alone _for hours_. Mine only ever barks at the doorbell, for like 10 seconds. > [@Magiver](#): > > Cats can be exercised from your chair with a laser pointer. Plus 1 I sometimes do the same with my dog. Sit back in the chair and throw his tennis ball while he retrieves it hundreds of times. > [@Magiver](#): > > -Dogs require walking or some other activity. Minus 1 Oh, the horror. Yep they actually require you to spend some time with them, instead of ignoring their existence like you can with cats. Also, dogs are much more sweet. The way they wag their tails and jump up and down when you come home, they way that can look you in the eyes and interact with you is light years ahead of what any cat could do, for me. So it’s all a matter of personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/25 "2011-05-27T10:57:57Z")
\*I Hate Cats Because they always purr And they get all their fur In your oatmeal I Hate Cats You know I really wouldn’t mind A tiger or a lion But you can take your plain 'ol cat And all your kitty litter And cans of chopped liver And throw them in a gunny sack 'Cause I hate cats\* - Harry Waller ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/26 "2011-05-27T12:35:59Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Also, your male cat is not going to spray after you have it neutered (there’s no “ifs” about this one. Be prepared to neuter or don’t get one). There are – our cat was neutered and still sprays. But I do prefer cats. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/27 "2011-05-27T12:46:27Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Yes, a cat could conceivably be killed by a really big, nasty, vicious dog, but as a general rule, MOST cats could, if they wanted to, kick the asses of most dogs, who would end up whimpering heaps of self-pity in the face of a pissed off cat, before they even knew what hit them. I do not believe this to be true at all. The reason cats survive dog “attacks” is because (a) they’re not real attacks and (b) cats can often escape. Assuming we’re not talking a lapdog, if a cat was cornered by a dog and the dog REALLY wanted to kill it (rather than chase it), the cat would be toast. The important part is that the average dog is not trying to kill the cat. It’s trying to chase the cat. And when that stops being fun, it stops doing it. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/28 "2011-05-27T16:24:38Z")
Oh, another reason why I hate cats: they [party](http://nedroid.com/2009/05/party-cat-full-series/) way too much. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/29 "2011-05-27T17:06:14Z")
What I like about cats is their attitude. You know the look they give you when they just stare. You know their thinking “look at you you dumb shit, now go clean my litter box and while your at it change my water it’s tepid” ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/30 "2011-05-27T17:15:54Z")
I’ve really thought about this question, in case I should ever find myself in a situation where I’m only allowed one pet. What to do when you love cats AND dogs? Cats are, as mentioned above, admirably independent. Mine spend most of their time on the cat shelf, which is what I intended when I bought the house. (Realtor: “Now you’ll notice the lovely vaulted ceiling opening into the kitchen…”. Me: “Cat shelf! What a great house!”) For this reason, cats are also considered a decoration in my house. 🙂 My sister’s cat looks for all the world like a cookie jar, and if a cookie jar isn’t good enough I’m pretty sure you could just stick a lampshade on her head and put her on the endtable and all would be well. Dogs, though…well, my dogs adore me. Heart and soul. I’m the greatest, most amazing person in the world to my dogs, and it doesn’t matter if I have bad breath (I think they actually like that) or look like hell or am grouchy, they still adore me and are willing to do so from a distance for a while if need be. Plus they’re protective and would defend me against a Bad Guy provided he didn’t offer them a soup bone first. My cats have sent me to the doctor for antibiotics at least 3 times. My dogs, never. Overall, I think I’d choose an older dog over a cat if I only could have one…although I can’t imagine getting myself into that situation until I just get too old to care for both. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/31 "2011-05-27T17:29:46Z")
> [@phantom\_lamb](#): > > My dog does this all the time and the sounds he makes are more adorable than a meowing noise. I assumed s/he meant purring, not meowing. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/32 "2011-05-27T18:05:42Z")
> [@papergirl](#): > > My cats have sent me to the doctor for antibiotics at least 3 times. My dogs, never. I had a cat that just forced itself on me, and when I finally relented and let it in the house, every living thing in the house promptly developed ringworm. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/33 "2011-05-27T18:13:47Z")
There’s an easy fix: just get yourself a nice toxoplasma gondii infection, and you’re gonna love 'em. Apparently, you also become more likely to give birth to boys, but that’s neither here nor there on the cat issue. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/34 "2011-05-27T22:18:25Z")
My doctor trips weren’t nearly so exotic as toxoplasma gondii infection, although it would make for much better stories. Generally it was infected bites from trying to deal with a cornered (by other animals) cat or cat fight. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/35 "2011-05-27T23:15:03Z")
> [@phantom\_lamb](#): > > Only if you have a yard. And even when I did, this was never a problem. Of course, you make it other people’s problem. And even if you bother to clean it up there is still dog crap left behind. I wouldn’t want to play volleyball in your yard. > [@phantom\_lamb](#): > > I bathe my dog a few times a year, he doesn’t require more. Besides, I don’t see what’s so torturous about bathing an animal, it’s just five minutes of your time. Twice a year is not enough to keep a dog clean and that doesn’t include the times they roll in crap. And no, it doesn’t take 5 minutes unless you’re throwing them in the wash machine. It’s a 30 minute process that involves lathering, rinsing, drying, combing and brushing. > [@phantom\_lamb](#): > > Very broad generalization. Not all dogs are drooly and not all dogs want to be pet all the time. Although I, for one, love when a dog approaches me and licks my hand. All dogs produce large amounts of snot (not drool, snot) and it doesn’t matter whose dog it is I’m always covered in it from them nudging me with their nose to pet them. No amount of petting is enough. > [@phantom\_lamb](#): > > Broad generalization. Tons of dogs don’t bark at everything, let alone _for hours_. Mine only ever barks at the doorbell, for like 10 seconds. It’s not a broad generalization, it’s a neighborhood curse. Oh, the horror. Yep they actually require you to spend some time with them, instead of ignoring their existence like you can with cats. [/QUOTE] That’s a polite way of saying dogs are needy. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/36 "2011-05-28T02:20:22Z")
Well my dog barks at EVERYTHING. If it moves, she’ll bark at it. Trying to watch TV downstairs is a nightmare. She’s destructive, we can’t trust her with toys because she’s very territorial, and she’s very needy. If you’re busy and can’t pay attention to her constantly (like you’re cooking dinner, or doing the dishes or something), she’ll scratch your leg. And no, it doesn’t always mean she has to go outside. Don’t get me wrong, she can be a sweet dog. But she’s incredibly hard to deal with. Dogs are also a “crapshoot”. Even with the same breed. Our current dog is a Westie. Our last dog was a Westie and she was extremely well-behaved, much more trust-worthy and she listened better. EVERY animal will have its own personality. I’m not saying my cats are angels. Hardly. (Try dealing with Annie for a day or two!) But they’re much easier to deal with when they ARE misbehaving. Cats are also weirder than dogs, which makes them more amusing. Plus their fur DOES smell better. Maggie’s fur smells sweet and clean. And they don’t puke as much if you brush them regularly. And trust me, they get plenty of attention. Lots of attention. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/37 "2011-05-28T03:06:25Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Well my dog barks at EVERYTHING. If it moves, she’ll bark at it. Trying to watch TV downstairs is a nightmare. She’s destructive, we can’t trust her with toys because she’s very territorial, and she’s very needy. If you’re busy and can’t pay attention to her constantly (like you’re cooking dinner, or doing the dishes or something), she’ll scratch your leg. And no, it doesn’t always mean she has to go outside. Don’t get me wrong, she can be a sweet dog. But she’s incredibly hard to deal with. All of this can be changed. especially the destructive territorial stuff. Granted, it’s not a snap, it takes a very high level of commitment and focus on your part, but it is not beyond changing, not at all. Depending on how old she is, I’d make the commitment. Your lives together will be infinitely more pleasant; i know from sad experience with both cats and dogs, carrying some grief to this day because of the things I didn’t do to improve my dogs’ personalities and behavior and how that marred our relationship, which I am sad about. I didn’t like being so frustrated and angry so often, and now I thoroughly understand that it was my error, not theirs. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/38 "2011-05-28T11:26:03Z")
I kill flys & roaches & bugs & insects I spot on those surfaces, why should cats be exempted? Especially knowing the cat has been walking in its litter box. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/39 "2011-05-28T20:42:22Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > All of this can be changed. especially the destructive territorial stuff. Granted, it’s not a snap, it takes a very high level of commitment and focus on your part, but it is not beyond changing, not at all. You’re welcome to travel all the neighborhoods of the world, Johnny Appleseed style, and train the barking dogs. It will probably take the help of a handful of people (a billion) to make it happen. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363/40 "2011-05-28T23:16:44Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You’re welcome to travel all the neighborhoods of the world, Johnny Appleseed style, and train the barking dogs. It will probably take the help of a handful of people (a billion) to make it happen. Guin was talking about her _own_ dog. I have a long list of objectionable things in badly trained or untrained dogs that belong to other people. But my POV on all this is considering cats or dogs as an addition to one’s OWN household and why that can be a good or bad thing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-like-cats/583363.md?page=3)