Definitely a plus for kitties. But housebreaking a puppy only takes a couple of weeks.
Yeah, I tried that. My cats were unimpressed and mostly just learned not to do certain things within my line of sight.
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.
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.
Only if you have a yard. And even when I did, this was never a problem.
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.
My dog does this all the time and the sounds he makes are more adorable than a meowing noise.
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.
My dog hunts all the bugs, moths and roaches he finds in the house.
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.
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.
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.
*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*
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.
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”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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That’s a polite way of saying dogs are needy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.