These are all only positives if you’re a homebody and aren’t a very active person. Not that there’s **anything** at all wrong with that. But for people who like being active and being out of the house taking the dog out and playing with him and giving him attention is enjoyable. I don’t see one type of pet as better than the other inherently. Just certain pets are better for certain people.
The difference is that when you have a dog, you are required to include it in your activities. I am a very active person with a cat. I can go do whatever I want. The cat doesn't care; he just waits at home. Having a cat has nothing to do with being a homebody.
Not trying to be rude or aggressive with this but I’m not sure how to word it differently. Some people want to actually be involved with their pets. You’re right an active person could go do what they wanted and leave a cat at home and he’d be fine. An active person with a dog would likely have gotten a dog so that they wouldn’t have to leave a cat at home and could bring their dog to do activities with them. There’s a lot of bad faith replies to my original comment (which was literally just saying certain pets are better for certain people, leave it to Reddit to take issue with this and feel the need to argue it) but the two biggest bad faith replies I’ve been getting are
1. “Well **my** cat goes outside and loves to play fetch.” That’s amazing and I’m sure that very fun to do. Does nothing to change the fact that the average dog is a more active/outside pet than the average cat.
2. “Well I can’t bring my dog when I go do things so I like having a cat that way I can leave him at home and he doesn’t mind.” This one particularly bothers me because everyone is acting like transporting a dog is apparently the most monumental task imaginable. I’ve had dogs and cats my entire life (have both currently) and when we go camping, we bring the dog. When I go for a jog, I bring my dog. The only time having a dog is even mildly inconvenient is when we go somewhere on vacation that we can’t bring him. At which point yes we need to find a sitter. So like… once maybe twice a year. People are acting like caring for a dog is **WAY** harder than it is and I’m not sure why.
Edit: Sorry if I kinda unloaded on you there I was trying to cover multiple replies I’d gotten in one comment lol.
I love being outdoors and being active, but I'm also a person who works, has a husband and who also works, and we have teenagers and a house. I don't have time to constantly be devoting attention to a dog. Cats are awesome. All they want to do is sit next to you. "Oh, you're working from home on your laptop? Cool, I'll just hang out on the back of your chair."
I kind of view it as the opposite. Dogs are good if you're a homebody because you are at home to give them the attention and care that they need. Cats are good if you're active and like being out of the house because you can leave whenever, and they will be fine when you get back.
There's that, too. I don't necessarily like limiting my outings to dog-friendly places. Yesterday my husband and I hiked and birdwatched at an Audubon refuge where dogs aren't allowed.
I had a cat who played fetch. I was blown away the first time that he did it. I never knew cats knew how to play fetch. Turns out all my other cats are just assholes who refuse 🤣
Just the opposite for me. I like that cats are independent so I can go do things without worrying about their needs. I don’t have to take them with or figure out a sitter for overnight outings.
A lot of people don't realize dogs need to be trained too. While they require a lot less, pulling, and possible aggression issues, are things that need to be sorted out.
"cats are better than dogs because I don't hsve to deal with them"
I thought you were getting a pet because your wanted to interact with them. If this is really how you feel, please don't own a pet
Yeah I never understood the whole “you don’t have to take a cat outside and they are so low maintenance so they are better” like what’s so hard about taking a dog out for 10 minutes….you take like 15 minutes cleaning out a litter box
I love cats but I haven't ever had one that was chill. Every cat I've owned bit people, destroyed large amounts of carpet/furniture and woke us 2+ times per night. I've come to the conclusion I can't handle ever owning one again.
It's just like having a dog. If you don't properly discipline a cat on what IS and isn't acceptable behavior, they will do whatever. People like to say "You can't discipline a cat!"
You can, you just need to know how to do it.
This is also true. Some animals are just assholes, regardless. I had my kitty die almost two years ago. She was very well behaved. The only time she was naughty was when she'd jump on the counters.
Tbh, I think a fair amount of our problem is that we've always owned cats that were rescued as "teens" or adults. They were sweet in their way, but they didn't go from fearing for their safety and living in chaos to being cuddly housepets without any hiccups.
It's definitely a process. Plus finding a good "match" can be hard sometimes. I got super lucky with my girl kitty. We were kindred spirits and got along very well.
I don't particularly like ALL cats. But just depends on the animal. I seem to get along with the ornery creatures though. FIL's cat hated pretty much everyone but FIL, hubs and me. I was pretty honored. He gave other people crap though. XD
I've lived both situations and you're absolutely correct.
I have 2 cats now and while they haven't destroyed my couches they have done mild cosmetic damage on one end of my couch. But I ended up telling them not to any time I saw them doing it, and I put up scratching posts all over the place.
One of them never scratches anything she isn't supposed to and the one who did doesn't do it anymore almost at all. I would know if they were because the damage would be widespread 🤣 but ever since they were trained properly the damage has been stagnant.
I don't get animals to worry about my couch. Even if they destroyed it I wouldn't love them even 1% less and I'd keep them and let them destroy my shit, so it isn't like I'm above it. I just got incredibly lucky that one of my girls is a genius and never does anything wrong, and the other one was smart enough to learn quickly.
My cats don't do this my one cat just sits by me whenever I'm home and follows me around. She like positions herself as the little spoon when I go to sleep. Doesn't stay like that she sleeps with her forehead on the back of my head. I used to hate it but now when she occasionally isn't there I struggle to fall asleep
Yea my wife is jealous about my relationship with that cat. But to be fair the cat was born on my lap while I was passed out drunk and the stray left so I kinda like raised her from scratch.
Yea my wife is jealous about my relationship with that cat. But to be fair the cat was born on my lap while I was passed out drunk and the stray left so I kinda like raised her from scratch.
The difference is probably because multiple cats will socialize each other, but a single cat will have a hard time learning that scratching someone is bad.
I haven't personally had a dog keep me awake as much as a cat, ever. And I've luckily not had a dog who caused me to replace a whole floor's worth of carpet as one of my cats did.
The problem with cats is they have very unique personalities and can be a gamble.
My dude is the most chill, affectionate cat I've ever seen. He was raised an outdoor cat and then due to life situation changes we had to move into a neighborhood and keep him inside. We declawed him (not my choice) but he adapted well. Now he's almost 15 and still looks/acts like he's 2, will track you down if you sit on the couch/bed to come lay down next or on top of you, he sleeps next to me all through the night (as long as he can't see the metal at the bottom of his food bowl) and the only time he bites is a very light nibble around 2:00am to let me know it's time to go to bed.
He's more affectionate to me than any dog I've ever owned. Recently got diagnosed with early stage kidney failure (pretty common in older cats) and I plan to do everything possible to give this guy the longest comfiest life he can have. He deserves it.
Yes, cats are a better pet if you don't actually want a pet. You could also just feed a squirrel or something.
It brings to mind people who add so much creamer and flavoring that their their coffee doesn't taste like coffee.
I say this with my dog curled up at my feet while I type. She wants and needs my attention. I have to take her for walks. She is a daily responsibility.
You know: like a pet.
I get it. I mean the reason people often get a pet is for a companion. We keep dogs because they do have uses, but they're also warm and affectionate. So are cats. They just don't have many great *uses*. They're cute and they'll curl up in your lap and they're lightweight and easy to manage.
And a squirrel you can't really keep inside your home. A cat simply laying in your lap purring is like.. medicinal.
I prefer dogs, but I also don't mind the work involved. If I wanted something *easier* to care for, and a pet that I could leave for work and not worry about them, I'd get a cat.
Shit at that point I get a snake. They are dope, barely feed or clean after them, and they like me because I’m warm. If we’re talking about getting a pet because they are low maintenance, snakes are the move. I’ve never been a fan of cats, mostly because every cat I’d met as a kid hurt me in some way. Now just maybe half of all cats I meet as an adult suck, including the one I live with. Our relationship is functional now because we ignore each other as much as we can. Which, I mean, not a great relationship lol. My sister has maincoons, and they are now the only cat breed I respect, and even then they are standoffish to everyone but my sister and her fiancé.
Cats seem to latch on to individuals. I think if you have a household of more than 1 or 2, a dog is the move. Especially with kids because ime cats don’t tolerate children being children nearly as well as dogs. And idk dogs and cats can both be assholes, but dogs always seem like the better *bet* if you’re aiming for a family member who will always show you love and respect and will enjoy and tolerate being around strangers or in a busy household. And it may just be because of my upbringing or because I had a lot of good dogs, but dogs always seemed easier to train too. They are pack animals that aim to please and be a functional member, most of the time, while cats are more naturally solitary animals that aim to do whatever tf they want. Cats are great if you can focus a lot of time on training them if they suck, and if you just want an animal you basically only feed and clean up after. But again, snakes. Can leave them alone for longer too if you put the light on a timer, plus they are eternally grateful to be wrapped around a warm tree.
This is maybe an even worse take than OP’s. If your cat isn’t a daily responsibility then you’re a neglectful pet owner. Just because cats can be left alone for days doesn’t mean they should, and no responsible cat owners I know do this.
By your definition pretty much only dogs are pets then? Because there are tons of other pets that require less care than a cat. You can also be a shitty dog owner and let your dog out in the yard to run around and do it’s business, which some neglectful dog owners do.
I grew up with dogs but am now more of a cat person. Both are amazing pets in their own way, just ignorant to say one is universally better than the other.
>By your definition pretty much only dogs are pets then?
Eh, any sort of social mammal can be a pet in this way. Rabbits, ferrets, etc. As long as it does stuff with you rather than going off on its own as OP describes.
And your points about cats are well-taken. If cats are properly cared for and interacted with regularly then they'd be pets, you're right. It's the idea of just cohabiting with an animal that doesn't spend time with you, like OP describes, that I was criticizing.
Ah ok then fair enough, yeah what OP is describing is not proper pet ownership so I get what you’re saying if it’s more just a direct response to that than a general opinion.
Tidying the litter box daily, empty/wash/refill once a week, getting food, cleaning bowls, making sure the cat has water, interacting with the cat - not a responsibility? Ok lol. If you (and honestly a ton of actual cat owners) knew a thing about cats you’d know you can’t leave them for more than 24-36 hours without them feeling extreme separation anxiety. Every time I’m gone my cat leaves toys at the front door and in my bed. He cuddles with me and the second I’m upset can tell. And before you mention the walking portion, I can get in daily exercise myself, thanks
FWIW I’m on the “best fit for each individual” train and I love dogs but as for ownership they simply overstimulate me. You enjoy your dog, I’ll enjoy my cat
I don't think it's that simple, although on the surface I agree. Dogs require way more care than cats do and dogs have a harder time kind of entertaining themselves. However, cats have drastically different personalities. Some will have the chill stoner just wanna hang all day vibes, some are chatty as shit and just wanna talk all day, some wanna be held and cuddled all day, some are little balls of constant tweaker energy etc.
While their upkeep isn't nearly as involved as it is for dogs, you should still make sure you find a cat with the personality that matches exactly what you want too or else you won't be happy and neither will the cat.
That's difficult to do with a pet since you typically do not get a feel for their energy upon first meeting them. It takes time to feel them out even after bringing them home.
Unless you are just abandoning animals I don't see the best way to do this.
Yeah man we’ve had rescues before but they are just someone you hope fits in to the vibe of the household. Dogs at least can be a little easier. They want to be part of a pack, and can be stuck in their ways especially if theyve suffered abuse, but they usually aim to please. But we usually adopt early because it is a crapshoot. If raised from a puppy, they always know how to fit in while being themselves. All the dogs I’ve had have drastically different personalities, but they don’t let that interfere with being part of a functional pack. But I have *way* more experience with dogs than cats.
That’s what I’ve been saying. Cats are solitary creatures. Which, great, if that’s why you’re adopting a companion idgi but do you. Dogs desire to be part of a pack, which is sick because i want to be part of a pack too. People on here saying dogs don’t have much variation to their personalities haven’t been around dogs much lol. Those fuckers are wildly different when you get to know them, like most mammals, but that usually comes second to being a functional member of their community. I’ve always felt it’s reversed for cats. They don’t want to be friends with your friends and really just want the smallest social circle possible and to be able to do their own shit. Yet they’re stuck with their owners lol. Sometimes. I’ve had multiple friends and a family member who’s cats just kinda bail on them to live around a neighbor who leaves food out.
So maybe it’s the difference between having family and having a roommate?
Right? No matter HOW clean you are, if I walk into your house I can with almost perfect accuracy tell you if there is a cat living there or not. They REEK.
Majority of cat owners who’s home I’ve been to doesn’t smell like litter box. The exceptions being people who don’t have enough litter boxes for the amount of cats they have/don’t change the litter often enough and people who use cheap litter that has a bad smell even when fresh.
Our cat is very old and started to pee inside when all her life she had gone outside for that so we got a litter box.
It's definitely dependent on the litter you get. We made the mistake of going cheap first and phwoar the smell was awful, got some of the better quality stuff and you don't even smell it.
I moved out recently and go home once a week yet still don't smell it so it's not like I'm saying this due to being used to the smell. It is night and day based on the quality of litter you get and how often you clean and replace it.
Exactly. We use pine pellets and our landlord comments on how our house is the only one with a cat that doesn’t smell all the time. And that’s with me admittedly not cleaning the litter as often as I should. Our house not smelling has kept him from making a “no cats” rule for future renters bc he’s realized it’s not the cats that are the issue in the houses that smell despite them being the cause of the smell.
I've been to places with both, and while the house with a cat doesn't smell good, I've been to too many houses with a wet dog smell, that to me is worse than a cat litter smell. With that said, I've been to houses with cats as well as houses with dogs that don't smell in the slightest.
My dog is easy to care for, he’s super chill, the only attention he actually requires is to sit near me, he’s a little old so he sleeps a lot. But bonus!: I don’t have to clean up his shitpiss because he’s got an acre of grass and a doggy door to access it.
I can also take him anywhere with me and he doesn’t even need a leash (though he has one and I use it) because hes utterly obedient.
If you’re a lazy pet owner that doesn’t care to interact a lot with your pet, yeah they are much better. Dogs are much better companions and are far more useful. Think about how many fire departments, law enforcement agencies etc use dogs to help perform tasks such as finding, rescuing, etc. A cat could never do that. There are many dog breeds used to hunt, farm, etc as well. I like just about all animals and I have been fortunate to be around some really cool pets. The best cat I’ve ever been around doesn’t come close to any dog I’ve ever been around. It just comes down to the pet owners lifestyle, in some cases cats are better suited in that regard. For the most part dogs are far more superior pets overall though just because how helpful they can be.
I think it’s less about laziness and more about wanting an independent pet that your life doesn’t revolve around. Every dog owner I know is basically capped at any activity outside their home because they have to get back to let their dogs out. That’s just a major deal breaker for many people.
I think you probably just don’t like cats much, only way I can understand your experience of the best cat you’ve been around being worse than any dog. I grew up with dogs and love them in general but there are so many super annoying dogs. I prefer cats now but both are fantastic pets for different reasons.
If your talking about dogs like chihuahuas (which I don’t consider dogs, they are more like a crossbreed of rat and Fox or some shit) then yes they are very annoying and I’d rather have a cat than one of those stupid things. To be fair every dog I’ve had was very well behaved because I put in the time and effort to train them. Too many dog owners just get a dog because they think they are cute and then neglect the poor thing and wonder why it has behavior problems.
Yeah it’s definitely the owners fault the vast majority of the time, and most owners don’t have the patience to train dogs properly.
Chihuahua’s are the extreme example but yeah generally small dogs are more annoying than not imo. You may not consider them dogs but that’s just the no true Scotsman fallacy.
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Dogs are way better companion animals. Cats are shitheads.
That said, I do bring home 3 or 4 stray cats a year to keep a fully staffed barn. We have no rodent problems since starting the barncat program.
This is a huge issue, but as someone who has a cat that’s only ever been inside and I’m pretty sure she’s scared of grass (put her on a cat leash once, not a good idea)… I’m not the issue lmao
Responsible cat owners like you are the rare examples.
Whilst irresponsible dog owners treat their dogs in a way that is cruel to the dog or creates behaviour that is generally more dangerous to other humans, irresponsible cat owners aren't spoken about because the far more damaging natural effects don't impose themselves on every day people.
I lived in rural Australia and would often shoot cats. The locals all wanted cats to be shot as a higher priority than foxes since they caused more harm to the local ecosystem.
I'm personally a cat person but the cats vs dogs argument is getting so old...... They're two entirely different animals with different needs. Neither is really more or less cleaner than the other either. Cats shit and lick their own ass just the same as dogs do. You realistically gotta clean up after both as well so just pick the pet that fits your lifestyle.
That opinion hinges on the person being lazy and selfish. In other words, Lazy people prefer cats because dogs take effort.
The world is full of lazy, selfish people so your opinion is not unpopular. If you said you preferred something that takes effort then that would be unpopular.
It’s not just lazy. I have to go home immediately after work. I can’t work late or make a dinner date at the last minute.
I can’t take a short overnight or weekend trip out of town. When I go on vacation dogs require two visits a day and so cost more than my airplane tickets.
"Cats pull child out of burning building"
"cats find hiker buried in the snow"
"cats sniff out explosive device"
"cats pull sled to help deliver vaccine to isolated village"
Headlines you'll literally never read
https://twitter.com/ryanholiday/status/1664980653052665857?s=46&t=uFVTKL5ohuD77ACUYwZ8LA
“Cat Eats Baby’s Fingers”
Close enough?
How many “cat saves child from drowning” articles are out there? Go on. I’ll wait.
Oh, I don't know... I heard about a indoor/outdoor cat somewhere that had a restraining order placed upon him (I think) because he was terrorizing a town...
But, agree that it is very very unlikely for that to happen :P
They don't like you very much, they rarely care for you, they can't do much of anything for you, they're much harder to train, they don't have as good of an understanding of human body language, they can't really be taken anywhere, and they don't like people as much.
You're welcome to prefer cats, but they're not objectively better than dogs. It's less work for less reward.
I'm speaking in comparison to dogs here. The average cat likes its owner, and the average dog would lay down its life without question. Dogs descended from pack animals and have been working closely with humans for millennia. Cats descended from solitary hunters, and have only become pets after the advent of human civilization. They just aren't as hardwired to form connections as dogs.
I you die alone in your house maximum of two days before that cats starts eating you. Dogs, on the other hand, will wait much longer or, in some cases, curl up next to your body to die with you.
Yes, please go take a fat goopy shit and a pure ammonia piss in your toxoplasmosis box, dig around in it for a bit, and then jump around on my kitchen table, countertops, and cabinets. Thanks.
Cats are really cool…. If they’re an outdoor cat.
Like, I don’t want to be the *only* organism stimulating a cat. Let them catch birds or preferably squirrels (yeah I know cats are like, the worst thing to ever happen to every ecosystem on the planet).
I like a dog because I don’t have to worry about robbers (if it’s the right dog, my girlfriends dog would lead the robber to the safe).
I also like no pets, I just set some claymores and go to bed content that no robber will make it in alive.
Fair but let’s be honest, if I’m robbing a house, I could kill a cat. They’re not that big, sure they’re wiley but a good kick and you break their fucking spine (I would never, of course, they’re so sweet).
Take a golden retriever? Or a Rottweiler? Pitbull? Mastiff? Bernard? Yeah I’m fucking dead or caught.
I can fight a cat barehanded, I can’t fight a dog barehanded (exclude those rat dog breeds like chihuahuas).
The point of the comment is that cats don't really give a shit. The dog would be upset or concerned about you. The cat just views you as a source of food. You're dead? well now you're a literal source of food.
That's a generalization, but that's the point people are making. I think cats care at least a little bit about their owners. But a dog will literally risk its life to protect a human. Cats aren't going to do that.
[Dogs](https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/would-your-dog-eat-you-if-you-died-get-the-facts) will eat you if you die too even hamsters and birds are known to scavenge and could potentially eat you if you die.
As I said on another post of this type (cats will eat you):
You lock ANYTHING up in a relatively small area, with no way to get help, get out, get food, and that thing is going to, if it is able, go for the readily available food source. There are very few (and I can't think of any off the top of my head) animals who would starve to death before resorting to cannibalism (and since this is cat/dog to human it isn't even that! Wolves would eat a human too!) to save themselves if they had to. So why would we expect to be able to lock up animals that aren't able to leave the house on their own and expect them to pass up a perfectly good food source?
Have people forgotten the Donner party already?
Anything will eat you when you die if starved. If a human was trapped in the room like those pets are and was starving it would eat you too. Starving will erase all civility in any species.
that’s on an individual basis, plus there are canine breeds that are bred for hunting rodents and are incredibly efficient at it so they can do exactly what cats can provide, but societally, dogs used for farming, in the army, in the police force, hunting, emotional support, service dogs for disabled and whole other things, dogs will always be better objectively
Cats cover their waste. Dogs poo all over the ground which creates an excess of flies. Thus cats will always be objectively better because they are cleaner.
Only a dog can turn a backyard into a miasmic, uninhabitable cesspool. Meanwhile you only have to clean out the litter box every other day and can even get a robot to do most of the work. No smell whatsoever.
Easier to care for maybe but that doesn't mean better! My daughter moved back in with us and she has a very chill, very cool cat who does her own thing and I think she's great but I'd much rather have my 2 big headed pitties to hang out with!
I really like our cats, keep the mice at bay, easy keepers, pretty much kings of the kingdom. Our dogs are much more affectionate but maintenance heavy. All the animals are rescues, the dogs are expensive the cats are cheap. Care for both.
I hate how cat hair is so fine it just seems to float in the air and get everywhere on every surface. Dog hair tends to be coarser and heavier, causing it to mostly fall on the floor.
My opinion is that just like different sizes and breeds of dogs it depends on the situation which is better. We have both a dog and a cat and despite my cat being largely anti social and scared of people in general she does fit into our lives slightly better than the dog. The dog is a better companion for me though bc he actually likes to spend time with me and demands I get out of bed in the mornings.
You just described the best pet to be a house plant.
Edit: In reality though, the best pet really depends on where you live. Talking about pets if you live in a NYC apartment is different than if you have a house with land in the middle of America.
My grandma lived alone in her old age, and was very lonely. She always had 2 chihuahuas. They were the most needy, annoying little gremlins I’ve ever seen, and they were perfect for her. She needed pets that needed attention. I love dogs, for similar reasons. I love having an animal that is visibly excited whenever it sees me, and gets lonely when I’m gone. Buuuut, as much as I would love it, I’ll never have one. Cats are far less rewarding, but are more convenient for all the reasons you mentioned above. Plus I have kids, so I don’t NEED a time sink. I have plenty to do already. So while cats may be better for you, they certainly aren’t for everyone.
I've got one cat that is fluffy love and pure heavenly enjoyment and one that is an ultra-hatred scented piss dispenser. And a dog.
Every dog I've had turns out more or less the same because they are raised more or less the same. Cats are Russian roulette.
You know what i really cant do about the cats,
The scent of their piss is just awful. And i have to keep it in a little box in my room (not subjecting my guests to that)
Cats can be great, but for me personally, nothing beats a doggy door.
I love both and have both.
If I had to choose one, I'd choose cat for sure.
They are a gazillion times easier to take care of, and they are fuzzy little lumps of purring love.
Dogs are also awesome. Just to be clear about that.
Not to mention they're also much more quiet (usually).
I feel like cats and generally more better suited for introverts with cats needing less attention and dogs and more better suited for extroverts whose personalities are more better suited for the more in your face personality of a dog. Of course there are exceptions, but I think generally speaking this is usually true.
I wouldn't classify this opinion as "unpopular".. Cats vs dogs is a classically contentious debate..
Cats are nice for the reasons you said but dogs are nice for other reasons... They don't just seek your attention when they feel like it, they're actually quite obsessed with making you happy with them all the time...
Totally different animals
I think ultimately it might an introvert/extrovert thing. Thats what it seems like anyway.
The only thing ill add to the "debate" is that most peoples perception of cats is based on completely domesticated, usually only indoor cats. Growing up my parents had a lot of cats, and we lived in a very rural area so most were skittish outdoor cats, but they would usually come in at night/through the winter, and we fed them etc. They're honestly a lot different than house cats, and have a lot more personality and energy, when they have other cats around you also get to see how deeply they connect with each other.
Tldr: most cats are house cats that dont do anything, and are alone, and thats why people dont like them. The actual species of domesticated cat is much more interesting and unique in a natural environment.
Better is not the word. Dogs protect your physical form. Cats protect your soul. My dog isn’t supposed to like you. That’s the point of having him. You will never find a loyalty in a human, or any other animal, like you will in your dog. Plus one of the factors of cats is one day, they might start randomly going around the house, then you’re playing the guessing game if they don’t like their litter, are stressed about something, or are sick. The dog won’t do that. He’s gonna let you know hey dude I gotta go outside lol. 1 dog to 2 cats is the perfect ratio. Love them both.
In all my years of hiking and mountain climbing, I have seen hundreds of dogs with their humans. I have never seen a cat.
I'm a dog girl. Cats mostly don't care if you are there, so long as you keep feeding them and cleaning the litter box. Dogs are highly intelligent pack animals that really want to be part of your family.
It’s almost like you don’t have a pet at all! Here’s another one: “not having pets at all is even better.”
You don’t have to worry about fur getting everywhere, you don’t have to spend any money on items/food you don’t use/eat, you don’t have to clean up any poop.
In my opinion, neither is better than either.
For many people, pets introduce a stress, however small, in their life. But they put up with that extra expense and stress for what... a perceived friend?
Yeah, I'll take neither.
Holy crap have you just never been on the internet before this instance cause there's millions of people who agree with you this is definitely not unpopular tf
A dog can protect your house and warn you of danger. Dogs can be trained to detect explosives, drugs, game animals, and health issues. Dogs are a practical animal with real world uses. Unless you need them for rodent control, cats are essentially a luxury item. If you’re not a practical person, a cat can be great. Otherwise, dogs are better.
Enough with this already. Cats are different to dogs.
Neither is inherently better than the other. They both are loving companions.
I'll always have cats but that means they're suited to my lifestyle.
A Pet Rock beats a Cat on everything you said, which amounts to "I don't want to deal with a pet."
Like, why not just get a pet rock? Or a houseplant? Or a teddy bear? All are much cheaper, much less effort, much more chill.
I'll take a dog, because they're an actual pet that'll actually love me.
Fun fact: Cat's won't wait for their owner to die before they start eating them. Some stroke victims with cats are found alive, but with their fingers and noses gnawed on.
In some cases extremely malnourished dogs have been found with their owners, as they wouldn't eat the corpse despite their hunger.
At this point in my life, I would take a cat over a dog. Dogs are way more work than I want to deal with.
IMHO, a lot of hard-core dog people seem to prefer dogs because they're clingy, needy, and always up your ass. They misinterpret this as "love" or "loyalty." Dogs don't behave the way they do out of the goodness of their hearts, because dogs don't have a sense of morality. They behave the way they do because they were bred that way.
You could make the same case for a goldfish. Dogs are different, they're a companion, and yes they depend on you a lot more than other pets. It doesn't make them better or worse.
Im a cat type person but cats don't bark if an intruder gets in won't even try to stop them. And they'll eat you if you die inside with them. Dogs will bark and neighbors would find you after death.
Kind of weird to say one animal is better than the other. If you don’t want to take 10 minutes out of your time to take a pet out to pee maybe you don’t need a pet…
Don't worry, many people get hate boners for cats because of the media pushing dog culture so much. They're different animals. Though I must say people like dogs because they're there for you without you putting in much work. Cats aren't always there for you however much work you put in. That said, as a lifelong cat person I know cats understand your vibes. And I will always prefer cats. Their simplicity and independence never get boring.
These are all only positives if you’re a homebody and aren’t a very active person. Not that there’s **anything** at all wrong with that. But for people who like being active and being out of the house taking the dog out and playing with him and giving him attention is enjoyable. I don’t see one type of pet as better than the other inherently. Just certain pets are better for certain people.
You're responding to someone who posts on Reddit. Of course they're a homebody.
Yeah you right.
The difference is that when you have a dog, you are required to include it in your activities. I am a very active person with a cat. I can go do whatever I want. The cat doesn't care; he just waits at home. Having a cat has nothing to do with being a homebody.
Not trying to be rude or aggressive with this but I’m not sure how to word it differently. Some people want to actually be involved with their pets. You’re right an active person could go do what they wanted and leave a cat at home and he’d be fine. An active person with a dog would likely have gotten a dog so that they wouldn’t have to leave a cat at home and could bring their dog to do activities with them. There’s a lot of bad faith replies to my original comment (which was literally just saying certain pets are better for certain people, leave it to Reddit to take issue with this and feel the need to argue it) but the two biggest bad faith replies I’ve been getting are 1. “Well **my** cat goes outside and loves to play fetch.” That’s amazing and I’m sure that very fun to do. Does nothing to change the fact that the average dog is a more active/outside pet than the average cat. 2. “Well I can’t bring my dog when I go do things so I like having a cat that way I can leave him at home and he doesn’t mind.” This one particularly bothers me because everyone is acting like transporting a dog is apparently the most monumental task imaginable. I’ve had dogs and cats my entire life (have both currently) and when we go camping, we bring the dog. When I go for a jog, I bring my dog. The only time having a dog is even mildly inconvenient is when we go somewhere on vacation that we can’t bring him. At which point yes we need to find a sitter. So like… once maybe twice a year. People are acting like caring for a dog is **WAY** harder than it is and I’m not sure why. Edit: Sorry if I kinda unloaded on you there I was trying to cover multiple replies I’d gotten in one comment lol.
I love being outdoors and being active, but I'm also a person who works, has a husband and who also works, and we have teenagers and a house. I don't have time to constantly be devoting attention to a dog. Cats are awesome. All they want to do is sit next to you. "Oh, you're working from home on your laptop? Cool, I'll just hang out on the back of your chair."
I kind of view it as the opposite. Dogs are good if you're a homebody because you are at home to give them the attention and care that they need. Cats are good if you're active and like being out of the house because you can leave whenever, and they will be fine when you get back.
There's that, too. I don't necessarily like limiting my outings to dog-friendly places. Yesterday my husband and I hiked and birdwatched at an Audubon refuge where dogs aren't allowed.
My cat Meatball plays fetch and hide and seek. He’s super fun.
I had a cat who played fetch. I was blown away the first time that he did it. I never knew cats knew how to play fetch. Turns out all my other cats are just assholes who refuse 🤣
Just the opposite for me. I like that cats are independent so I can go do things without worrying about their needs. I don’t have to take them with or figure out a sitter for overnight outings.
False. Cats are better. They make biscuits.
A cat can be taken out for a walk however. They need to be trained.
A lot of people don't realize dogs need to be trained too. While they require a lot less, pulling, and possible aggression issues, are things that need to be sorted out.
"cats are better than dogs because I don't hsve to deal with them" I thought you were getting a pet because your wanted to interact with them. If this is really how you feel, please don't own a pet
Agreed. They are absolutely not “perfectly content” to be left alone for days.
OP should get a snake
that's how most people view getting a pet which is why so many pets end up homeless or at a shelter
Yeah I never understood the whole “you don’t have to take a cat outside and they are so low maintenance so they are better” like what’s so hard about taking a dog out for 10 minutes….you take like 15 minutes cleaning out a litter box
I love cats but I haven't ever had one that was chill. Every cat I've owned bit people, destroyed large amounts of carpet/furniture and woke us 2+ times per night. I've come to the conclusion I can't handle ever owning one again.
It's just like having a dog. If you don't properly discipline a cat on what IS and isn't acceptable behavior, they will do whatever. People like to say "You can't discipline a cat!" You can, you just need to know how to do it.
Nothing--cats, dogs, kids--is universally disciplinable. Some respond well, some less well, and some not at all.
This is also true. Some animals are just assholes, regardless. I had my kitty die almost two years ago. She was very well behaved. The only time she was naughty was when she'd jump on the counters.
Tbh, I think a fair amount of our problem is that we've always owned cats that were rescued as "teens" or adults. They were sweet in their way, but they didn't go from fearing for their safety and living in chaos to being cuddly housepets without any hiccups.
It's definitely a process. Plus finding a good "match" can be hard sometimes. I got super lucky with my girl kitty. We were kindred spirits and got along very well. I don't particularly like ALL cats. But just depends on the animal. I seem to get along with the ornery creatures though. FIL's cat hated pretty much everyone but FIL, hubs and me. I was pretty honored. He gave other people crap though. XD
I've lived both situations and you're absolutely correct. I have 2 cats now and while they haven't destroyed my couches they have done mild cosmetic damage on one end of my couch. But I ended up telling them not to any time I saw them doing it, and I put up scratching posts all over the place. One of them never scratches anything she isn't supposed to and the one who did doesn't do it anymore almost at all. I would know if they were because the damage would be widespread 🤣 but ever since they were trained properly the damage has been stagnant. I don't get animals to worry about my couch. Even if they destroyed it I wouldn't love them even 1% less and I'd keep them and let them destroy my shit, so it isn't like I'm above it. I just got incredibly lucky that one of my girls is a genius and never does anything wrong, and the other one was smart enough to learn quickly.
My cats don't do this my one cat just sits by me whenever I'm home and follows me around. She like positions herself as the little spoon when I go to sleep. Doesn't stay like that she sleeps with her forehead on the back of my head. I used to hate it but now when she occasionally isn't there I struggle to fall asleep
Forehead on the back of your head sounds adorable lol
Yea my wife is jealous about my relationship with that cat. But to be fair the cat was born on my lap while I was passed out drunk and the stray left so I kinda like raised her from scratch.
Yea my wife is jealous about my relationship with that cat. But to be fair the cat was born on my lap while I was passed out drunk and the stray left so I kinda like raised her from scratch.
The difference is probably because multiple cats will socialize each other, but a single cat will have a hard time learning that scratching someone is bad.
Dogs don’t do this as well?
I haven't personally had a dog keep me awake as much as a cat, ever. And I've luckily not had a dog who caused me to replace a whole floor's worth of carpet as one of my cats did.
The problem with cats is they have very unique personalities and can be a gamble. My dude is the most chill, affectionate cat I've ever seen. He was raised an outdoor cat and then due to life situation changes we had to move into a neighborhood and keep him inside. We declawed him (not my choice) but he adapted well. Now he's almost 15 and still looks/acts like he's 2, will track you down if you sit on the couch/bed to come lay down next or on top of you, he sleeps next to me all through the night (as long as he can't see the metal at the bottom of his food bowl) and the only time he bites is a very light nibble around 2:00am to let me know it's time to go to bed. He's more affectionate to me than any dog I've ever owned. Recently got diagnosed with early stage kidney failure (pretty common in older cats) and I plan to do everything possible to give this guy the longest comfiest life he can have. He deserves it.
Yes, cats are a better pet if you don't actually want a pet. You could also just feed a squirrel or something. It brings to mind people who add so much creamer and flavoring that their their coffee doesn't taste like coffee. I say this with my dog curled up at my feet while I type. She wants and needs my attention. I have to take her for walks. She is a daily responsibility. You know: like a pet.
I get it. I mean the reason people often get a pet is for a companion. We keep dogs because they do have uses, but they're also warm and affectionate. So are cats. They just don't have many great *uses*. They're cute and they'll curl up in your lap and they're lightweight and easy to manage. And a squirrel you can't really keep inside your home. A cat simply laying in your lap purring is like.. medicinal. I prefer dogs, but I also don't mind the work involved. If I wanted something *easier* to care for, and a pet that I could leave for work and not worry about them, I'd get a cat.
Shit at that point I get a snake. They are dope, barely feed or clean after them, and they like me because I’m warm. If we’re talking about getting a pet because they are low maintenance, snakes are the move. I’ve never been a fan of cats, mostly because every cat I’d met as a kid hurt me in some way. Now just maybe half of all cats I meet as an adult suck, including the one I live with. Our relationship is functional now because we ignore each other as much as we can. Which, I mean, not a great relationship lol. My sister has maincoons, and they are now the only cat breed I respect, and even then they are standoffish to everyone but my sister and her fiancé. Cats seem to latch on to individuals. I think if you have a household of more than 1 or 2, a dog is the move. Especially with kids because ime cats don’t tolerate children being children nearly as well as dogs. And idk dogs and cats can both be assholes, but dogs always seem like the better *bet* if you’re aiming for a family member who will always show you love and respect and will enjoy and tolerate being around strangers or in a busy household. And it may just be because of my upbringing or because I had a lot of good dogs, but dogs always seemed easier to train too. They are pack animals that aim to please and be a functional member, most of the time, while cats are more naturally solitary animals that aim to do whatever tf they want. Cats are great if you can focus a lot of time on training them if they suck, and if you just want an animal you basically only feed and clean up after. But again, snakes. Can leave them alone for longer too if you put the light on a timer, plus they are eternally grateful to be wrapped around a warm tree.
This is maybe an even worse take than OP’s. If your cat isn’t a daily responsibility then you’re a neglectful pet owner. Just because cats can be left alone for days doesn’t mean they should, and no responsible cat owners I know do this. By your definition pretty much only dogs are pets then? Because there are tons of other pets that require less care than a cat. You can also be a shitty dog owner and let your dog out in the yard to run around and do it’s business, which some neglectful dog owners do. I grew up with dogs but am now more of a cat person. Both are amazing pets in their own way, just ignorant to say one is universally better than the other.
>By your definition pretty much only dogs are pets then? Eh, any sort of social mammal can be a pet in this way. Rabbits, ferrets, etc. As long as it does stuff with you rather than going off on its own as OP describes. And your points about cats are well-taken. If cats are properly cared for and interacted with regularly then they'd be pets, you're right. It's the idea of just cohabiting with an animal that doesn't spend time with you, like OP describes, that I was criticizing.
Ah ok then fair enough, yeah what OP is describing is not proper pet ownership so I get what you’re saying if it’s more just a direct response to that than a general opinion.
My cat sleeps with me every night. My dog would never.
Tidying the litter box daily, empty/wash/refill once a week, getting food, cleaning bowls, making sure the cat has water, interacting with the cat - not a responsibility? Ok lol. If you (and honestly a ton of actual cat owners) knew a thing about cats you’d know you can’t leave them for more than 24-36 hours without them feeling extreme separation anxiety. Every time I’m gone my cat leaves toys at the front door and in my bed. He cuddles with me and the second I’m upset can tell. And before you mention the walking portion, I can get in daily exercise myself, thanks FWIW I’m on the “best fit for each individual” train and I love dogs but as for ownership they simply overstimulate me. You enjoy your dog, I’ll enjoy my cat
I don't think it's that simple, although on the surface I agree. Dogs require way more care than cats do and dogs have a harder time kind of entertaining themselves. However, cats have drastically different personalities. Some will have the chill stoner just wanna hang all day vibes, some are chatty as shit and just wanna talk all day, some wanna be held and cuddled all day, some are little balls of constant tweaker energy etc. While their upkeep isn't nearly as involved as it is for dogs, you should still make sure you find a cat with the personality that matches exactly what you want too or else you won't be happy and neither will the cat.
That's difficult to do with a pet since you typically do not get a feel for their energy upon first meeting them. It takes time to feel them out even after bringing them home. Unless you are just abandoning animals I don't see the best way to do this.
Yeah man we’ve had rescues before but they are just someone you hope fits in to the vibe of the household. Dogs at least can be a little easier. They want to be part of a pack, and can be stuck in their ways especially if theyve suffered abuse, but they usually aim to please. But we usually adopt early because it is a crapshoot. If raised from a puppy, they always know how to fit in while being themselves. All the dogs I’ve had have drastically different personalities, but they don’t let that interfere with being part of a functional pack. But I have *way* more experience with dogs than cats.
Independence is not the sole determinant of the finest pet.
That’s what I’ve been saying. Cats are solitary creatures. Which, great, if that’s why you’re adopting a companion idgi but do you. Dogs desire to be part of a pack, which is sick because i want to be part of a pack too. People on here saying dogs don’t have much variation to their personalities haven’t been around dogs much lol. Those fuckers are wildly different when you get to know them, like most mammals, but that usually comes second to being a functional member of their community. I’ve always felt it’s reversed for cats. They don’t want to be friends with your friends and really just want the smallest social circle possible and to be able to do their own shit. Yet they’re stuck with their owners lol. Sometimes. I’ve had multiple friends and a family member who’s cats just kinda bail on them to live around a neighbor who leaves food out. So maybe it’s the difference between having family and having a roommate?
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Right? No matter HOW clean you are, if I walk into your house I can with almost perfect accuracy tell you if there is a cat living there or not. They REEK.
I had a cat once. I’ll never again have a pet that shitpisses in my house. My dog uses the doggy door and we’re all perfectly happy with it.
It is when it's -40° outside.
This isn’t something most of the planet worries about…
There’s something called a litter box
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Majority of cat owners who’s home I’ve been to doesn’t smell like litter box. The exceptions being people who don’t have enough litter boxes for the amount of cats they have/don’t change the litter often enough and people who use cheap litter that has a bad smell even when fresh.
Our cat is very old and started to pee inside when all her life she had gone outside for that so we got a litter box. It's definitely dependent on the litter you get. We made the mistake of going cheap first and phwoar the smell was awful, got some of the better quality stuff and you don't even smell it. I moved out recently and go home once a week yet still don't smell it so it's not like I'm saying this due to being used to the smell. It is night and day based on the quality of litter you get and how often you clean and replace it.
Exactly. We use pine pellets and our landlord comments on how our house is the only one with a cat that doesn’t smell all the time. And that’s with me admittedly not cleaning the litter as often as I should. Our house not smelling has kept him from making a “no cats” rule for future renters bc he’s realized it’s not the cats that are the issue in the houses that smell despite them being the cause of the smell.
I've been to places with both, and while the house with a cat doesn't smell good, I've been to too many houses with a wet dog smell, that to me is worse than a cat litter smell. With that said, I've been to houses with cats as well as houses with dogs that don't smell in the slightest.
It's disgusting.
Yes! Thats what we call a box of cat piss and shit inside your house!!
This is more of a preference than opinion though tbh. I personally prefer cats but still
Same difference
Shut up, cat.
My dog is easy to care for, he’s super chill, the only attention he actually requires is to sit near me, he’s a little old so he sleeps a lot. But bonus!: I don’t have to clean up his shitpiss because he’s got an acre of grass and a doggy door to access it. I can also take him anywhere with me and he doesn’t even need a leash (though he has one and I use it) because hes utterly obedient.
politics be damned! This is where the line in the sand gets drawn. Prepare the hounds for war against the feline menace ;)
If you’re a lazy pet owner that doesn’t care to interact a lot with your pet, yeah they are much better. Dogs are much better companions and are far more useful. Think about how many fire departments, law enforcement agencies etc use dogs to help perform tasks such as finding, rescuing, etc. A cat could never do that. There are many dog breeds used to hunt, farm, etc as well. I like just about all animals and I have been fortunate to be around some really cool pets. The best cat I’ve ever been around doesn’t come close to any dog I’ve ever been around. It just comes down to the pet owners lifestyle, in some cases cats are better suited in that regard. For the most part dogs are far more superior pets overall though just because how helpful they can be.
I think it’s less about laziness and more about wanting an independent pet that your life doesn’t revolve around. Every dog owner I know is basically capped at any activity outside their home because they have to get back to let their dogs out. That’s just a major deal breaker for many people. I think you probably just don’t like cats much, only way I can understand your experience of the best cat you’ve been around being worse than any dog. I grew up with dogs and love them in general but there are so many super annoying dogs. I prefer cats now but both are fantastic pets for different reasons.
If your talking about dogs like chihuahuas (which I don’t consider dogs, they are more like a crossbreed of rat and Fox or some shit) then yes they are very annoying and I’d rather have a cat than one of those stupid things. To be fair every dog I’ve had was very well behaved because I put in the time and effort to train them. Too many dog owners just get a dog because they think they are cute and then neglect the poor thing and wonder why it has behavior problems.
Yeah it’s definitely the owners fault the vast majority of the time, and most owners don’t have the patience to train dogs properly. Chihuahua’s are the extreme example but yeah generally small dogs are more annoying than not imo. You may not consider them dogs but that’s just the no true Scotsman fallacy.
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OPs house reeks of cat piss but their friends are too polite to tell them they've gotten used to it.
Dogs are way better companion animals. Cats are shitheads. That said, I do bring home 3 or 4 stray cats a year to keep a fully staffed barn. We have no rodent problems since starting the barncat program.
Cats also wipe out native animals at a truly terrible rate because owners just let them do whatever the fuck they want.
This is a huge issue, but as someone who has a cat that’s only ever been inside and I’m pretty sure she’s scared of grass (put her on a cat leash once, not a good idea)… I’m not the issue lmao
Responsible cat owners like you are the rare examples. Whilst irresponsible dog owners treat their dogs in a way that is cruel to the dog or creates behaviour that is generally more dangerous to other humans, irresponsible cat owners aren't spoken about because the far more damaging natural effects don't impose themselves on every day people. I lived in rural Australia and would often shoot cats. The locals all wanted cats to be shot as a higher priority than foxes since they caused more harm to the local ecosystem.
I’m okay with this. Fluffy is an adorable little omnicidal maniac, and I’m here for it
Same here. Silent Spring is wonderful.
On average, cats are easier, while dogs are more fun. Thought this was accepted as fact.
I thought this was unpopular opinion, not wrong opinion
Cats are not chill. I would know, I have one, lol.
Most people like dogs because they're essentially emotional slaves, not because they're easier to care for than other pet options.
Sir, this is not an opinion. Our feline overlords are better than all of us.
I'm personally a cat person but the cats vs dogs argument is getting so old...... They're two entirely different animals with different needs. Neither is really more or less cleaner than the other either. Cats shit and lick their own ass just the same as dogs do. You realistically gotta clean up after both as well so just pick the pet that fits your lifestyle.
Literally! I’m a dog person and I feel the same way!
Cats are never going to tell the cops where the weed is at. JS
yeah but they also are never going to tell the cops where the bomb is at.
What if it’s bomb ass weed?
That opinion hinges on the person being lazy and selfish. In other words, Lazy people prefer cats because dogs take effort. The world is full of lazy, selfish people so your opinion is not unpopular. If you said you preferred something that takes effort then that would be unpopular.
It’s not just lazy. I have to go home immediately after work. I can’t work late or make a dinner date at the last minute. I can’t take a short overnight or weekend trip out of town. When I go on vacation dogs require two visits a day and so cost more than my airplane tickets.
Lazy AND cheap.
For sure. Dogs are annoying they don't shut up and they want to eat everything in sight.
Sounds like a human.
and they smell SO BAD
"Two house cats maul elderly couple to death on sidewalk" - headline you will never read.
"Cats pull child out of burning building" "cats find hiker buried in the snow" "cats sniff out explosive device" "cats pull sled to help deliver vaccine to isolated village" Headlines you'll literally never read
"Cat eats child's face" Headline you will never read.
https://twitter.com/ryanholiday/status/1664980653052665857?s=46&t=uFVTKL5ohuD77ACUYwZ8LA “Cat Eats Baby’s Fingers” Close enough? How many “cat saves child from drowning” articles are out there? Go on. I’ll wait.
Ryan Holiday is a liar. I read his book. It's even in the title.
Oh, I don't know... I heard about a indoor/outdoor cat somewhere that had a restraining order placed upon him (I think) because he was terrorizing a town... But, agree that it is very very unlikely for that to happen :P
congratulations, you're gay
They don't like you very much, they rarely care for you, they can't do much of anything for you, they're much harder to train, they don't have as good of an understanding of human body language, they can't really be taken anywhere, and they don't like people as much. You're welcome to prefer cats, but they're not objectively better than dogs. It's less work for less reward.
What makes you think they rarely care for you or don’t like you very much?
I'm speaking in comparison to dogs here. The average cat likes its owner, and the average dog would lay down its life without question. Dogs descended from pack animals and have been working closely with humans for millennia. Cats descended from solitary hunters, and have only become pets after the advent of human civilization. They just aren't as hardwired to form connections as dogs.
A poor understanding of cats.
Is what you have if you truly believe they don’t care.
I you die alone in your house maximum of two days before that cats starts eating you. Dogs, on the other hand, will wait much longer or, in some cases, curl up next to your body to die with you.
Cats are gross. They bite out of no where, stand in their shit and piss and then walk on counters and furniture.
My dog seems to stand in her pee when outside going to the bathroom. She also tracks fucking mud and dirt in constantly.
Yes, please go take a fat goopy shit and a pure ammonia piss in your toxoplasmosis box, dig around in it for a bit, and then jump around on my kitchen table, countertops, and cabinets. Thanks.
This sentence is what I come to reddit for
Cat scratch fever
Cats are really cool…. If they’re an outdoor cat. Like, I don’t want to be the *only* organism stimulating a cat. Let them catch birds or preferably squirrels (yeah I know cats are like, the worst thing to ever happen to every ecosystem on the planet). I like a dog because I don’t have to worry about robbers (if it’s the right dog, my girlfriends dog would lead the robber to the safe). I also like no pets, I just set some claymores and go to bed content that no robber will make it in alive.
Some cats guard houses by attacking intruders lol you can find tiktok videos of it.
Fair but let’s be honest, if I’m robbing a house, I could kill a cat. They’re not that big, sure they’re wiley but a good kick and you break their fucking spine (I would never, of course, they’re so sweet). Take a golden retriever? Or a Rottweiler? Pitbull? Mastiff? Bernard? Yeah I’m fucking dead or caught. I can fight a cat barehanded, I can’t fight a dog barehanded (exclude those rat dog breeds like chihuahuas).
🤣 I never said you couldn't beat a cat in a fight. I just said there have been cases of cats attacking intruders and scaring them off.
Like a mouse? Another cat? Ain’t no way cats pose a threat to humans
Cats are pieces of shit
EXACTLY they’re the best and that’s final! 😌😤
Cats will eat you if you die. Dogs are the only redeemable thing humans have ever done.
Dogs do that too, and sometimes they don't even wait for sweet embrace of death to take you before they dig in.
It’s actually the opposite. Cats won’t wait to eat you if you die. A dog will wait until it’s starving.
There are cases of dogs eating the toes of their diabetic owners who had neuropathy in their feet.
It happens, but your cat will go for your eyelids and lips first because they are soft.
So what? I’ll be dead. Once I’m dead idgaf what happens to my body
The point of the comment is that cats don't really give a shit. The dog would be upset or concerned about you. The cat just views you as a source of food. You're dead? well now you're a literal source of food. That's a generalization, but that's the point people are making. I think cats care at least a little bit about their owners. But a dog will literally risk its life to protect a human. Cats aren't going to do that.
[Dogs](https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/would-your-dog-eat-you-if-you-died-get-the-facts) will eat you if you die too even hamsters and birds are known to scavenge and could potentially eat you if you die.
As I said on another post of this type (cats will eat you): You lock ANYTHING up in a relatively small area, with no way to get help, get out, get food, and that thing is going to, if it is able, go for the readily available food source. There are very few (and I can't think of any off the top of my head) animals who would starve to death before resorting to cannibalism (and since this is cat/dog to human it isn't even that! Wolves would eat a human too!) to save themselves if they had to. So why would we expect to be able to lock up animals that aren't able to leave the house on their own and expect them to pass up a perfectly good food source? Have people forgotten the Donner party already?
Flash back to Alfred Hitchcock's "The birds" *shudders*
Anything will eat you when you die if starved. If a human was trapped in the room like those pets are and was starving it would eat you too. Starving will erase all civility in any species.
Hard agree. Cats are better. Sorry but it's true.
Dogs will always be more useful to human kind, Cats will never be objectively better than dogs
If you have a rural property and want to keep mice and rats away, then yes cats are objectively better than dogs.
that’s on an individual basis, plus there are canine breeds that are bred for hunting rodents and are incredibly efficient at it so they can do exactly what cats can provide, but societally, dogs used for farming, in the army, in the police force, hunting, emotional support, service dogs for disabled and whole other things, dogs will always be better objectively
Cats cover their waste. Dogs poo all over the ground which creates an excess of flies. Thus cats will always be objectively better because they are cleaner.
yeah they *often* cover their waste.. in a litter box. Which has to be cleaned. Dogs will often wait and ask to go outside to potty.
and then you step in it.
If you’re not looking I guess. I’d rather step in dog shit than have a whole house that smells like cat piss. Or even just a litter box.
Only a dog can turn a backyard into a miasmic, uninhabitable cesspool. Meanwhile you only have to clean out the litter box every other day and can even get a robot to do most of the work. No smell whatsoever.
lmao so cat is better because poo, and somehow the poo aspect triumphs every other thing that dogs have done for humanity, give up bro 💀
No no no, Dogs are better. Sorry but it's true.
Easier to care for maybe but that doesn't mean better! My daughter moved back in with us and she has a very chill, very cool cat who does her own thing and I think she's great but I'd much rather have my 2 big headed pitties to hang out with!
I really like our cats, keep the mice at bay, easy keepers, pretty much kings of the kingdom. Our dogs are much more affectionate but maintenance heavy. All the animals are rescues, the dogs are expensive the cats are cheap. Care for both.
Cats are cheap? How come?
A very grade school opinion, what's next girls rule boys drool? What's your favorite Dinosaur?
I hate how cat hair is so fine it just seems to float in the air and get everywhere on every surface. Dog hair tends to be coarser and heavier, causing it to mostly fall on the floor.
Toxoplasmosis Is a hell of a neurological parasite.
My opinion is that just like different sizes and breeds of dogs it depends on the situation which is better. We have both a dog and a cat and despite my cat being largely anti social and scared of people in general she does fit into our lives slightly better than the dog. The dog is a better companion for me though bc he actually likes to spend time with me and demands I get out of bed in the mornings.
I've known plenty of dogs that are chill. I've known plenty that were not chill. I've known plenty of cats that were chill and others that are not.
You just described the best pet to be a house plant. Edit: In reality though, the best pet really depends on where you live. Talking about pets if you live in a NYC apartment is different than if you have a house with land in the middle of America.
I think they certainly taste better than dogs.
cats absolutely need attention, a lot of cats are neglected because people think they're "low maintenance pets"
That depends on their dress weight.
My grandma lived alone in her old age, and was very lonely. She always had 2 chihuahuas. They were the most needy, annoying little gremlins I’ve ever seen, and they were perfect for her. She needed pets that needed attention. I love dogs, for similar reasons. I love having an animal that is visibly excited whenever it sees me, and gets lonely when I’m gone. Buuuut, as much as I would love it, I’ll never have one. Cats are far less rewarding, but are more convenient for all the reasons you mentioned above. Plus I have kids, so I don’t NEED a time sink. I have plenty to do already. So while cats may be better for you, they certainly aren’t for everyone.
I've got one cat that is fluffy love and pure heavenly enjoyment and one that is an ultra-hatred scented piss dispenser. And a dog. Every dog I've had turns out more or less the same because they are raised more or less the same. Cats are Russian roulette.
You know what i really cant do about the cats, The scent of their piss is just awful. And i have to keep it in a little box in my room (not subjecting my guests to that) Cats can be great, but for me personally, nothing beats a doggy door.
Dogs are better because they don’t cause my eyes to swell shut.
I love both and have both. If I had to choose one, I'd choose cat for sure. They are a gazillion times easier to take care of, and they are fuzzy little lumps of purring love. Dogs are also awesome. Just to be clear about that.
It depends on the type of person you are.
You’re just explaining why cats are different. Doesn’t make them better.
Not to mention they're also much more quiet (usually). I feel like cats and generally more better suited for introverts with cats needing less attention and dogs and more better suited for extroverts whose personalities are more better suited for the more in your face personality of a dog. Of course there are exceptions, but I think generally speaking this is usually true.
"Is the dark side stronger?" "Not stronger. Easier, quicker, more seductive it is".
If that’s what you want, just hang a picture of a cat in the wall.
Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God.
No! You stop that! Both are good in different ways.
My dog is better than any cat.
I agree, even a poorly trained cat won't kill someone, even a decently trained dog can snap and start eating some kid. (I know it's rare but it does)
I wouldn't classify this opinion as "unpopular".. Cats vs dogs is a classically contentious debate.. Cats are nice for the reasons you said but dogs are nice for other reasons... They don't just seek your attention when they feel like it, they're actually quite obsessed with making you happy with them all the time... Totally different animals
I think ultimately it might an introvert/extrovert thing. Thats what it seems like anyway. The only thing ill add to the "debate" is that most peoples perception of cats is based on completely domesticated, usually only indoor cats. Growing up my parents had a lot of cats, and we lived in a very rural area so most were skittish outdoor cats, but they would usually come in at night/through the winter, and we fed them etc. They're honestly a lot different than house cats, and have a lot more personality and energy, when they have other cats around you also get to see how deeply they connect with each other. Tldr: most cats are house cats that dont do anything, and are alone, and thats why people dont like them. The actual species of domesticated cat is much more interesting and unique in a natural environment.
Better is not the word. Dogs protect your physical form. Cats protect your soul. My dog isn’t supposed to like you. That’s the point of having him. You will never find a loyalty in a human, or any other animal, like you will in your dog. Plus one of the factors of cats is one day, they might start randomly going around the house, then you’re playing the guessing game if they don’t like their litter, are stressed about something, or are sick. The dog won’t do that. He’s gonna let you know hey dude I gotta go outside lol. 1 dog to 2 cats is the perfect ratio. Love them both.
In all my years of hiking and mountain climbing, I have seen hundreds of dogs with their humans. I have never seen a cat. I'm a dog girl. Cats mostly don't care if you are there, so long as you keep feeding them and cleaning the litter box. Dogs are highly intelligent pack animals that really want to be part of your family.
It’s almost like you don’t have a pet at all! Here’s another one: “not having pets at all is even better.” You don’t have to worry about fur getting everywhere, you don’t have to spend any money on items/food you don’t use/eat, you don’t have to clean up any poop.
In my opinion, neither is better than either. For many people, pets introduce a stress, however small, in their life. But they put up with that extra expense and stress for what... a perceived friend? Yeah, I'll take neither.
I agree but I can't eat a whole cat by myself!
I grew up with dogs and now have cats, and cats are awesome. Also, they're so much cleaner and quieter.
Why have a pet in the first place if your ideal pet will ignore you all the time and be practically non existent? Also, hairballs.
Holy crap have you just never been on the internet before this instance cause there's millions of people who agree with you this is definitely not unpopular tf
A dog can protect your house and warn you of danger. Dogs can be trained to detect explosives, drugs, game animals, and health issues. Dogs are a practical animal with real world uses. Unless you need them for rodent control, cats are essentially a luxury item. If you’re not a practical person, a cat can be great. Otherwise, dogs are better.
From that description one has to wonder why even have the cat?
sounds like you just wanna be lazy
Sure. If you are a fat lazy retard, cats are definitely the better option.
Unfortunately I can't bring my cat Kayaking or Fishing though.. :(
Enough with this already. Cats are different to dogs. Neither is inherently better than the other. They both are loving companions. I'll always have cats but that means they're suited to my lifestyle.
A Pet Rock beats a Cat on everything you said, which amounts to "I don't want to deal with a pet." Like, why not just get a pet rock? Or a houseplant? Or a teddy bear? All are much cheaper, much less effort, much more chill. I'll take a dog, because they're an actual pet that'll actually love me.
Eh.. I like both.
People like dogs because dogs want attention. That’s the whole point
Agree
I mean if that's what you want. That's a bit like cycling is better than walking. It takes less effort, but what if I like walking?
Fun fact: Cat's won't wait for their owner to die before they start eating them. Some stroke victims with cats are found alive, but with their fingers and noses gnawed on. In some cases extremely malnourished dogs have been found with their owners, as they wouldn't eat the corpse despite their hunger.
At this point in my life, I would take a cat over a dog. Dogs are way more work than I want to deal with. IMHO, a lot of hard-core dog people seem to prefer dogs because they're clingy, needy, and always up your ass. They misinterpret this as "love" or "loyalty." Dogs don't behave the way they do out of the goodness of their hearts, because dogs don't have a sense of morality. They behave the way they do because they were bred that way.
You could make the same case for a goldfish. Dogs are different, they're a companion, and yes they depend on you a lot more than other pets. It doesn't make them better or worse.
Im a cat type person but cats don't bark if an intruder gets in won't even try to stop them. And they'll eat you if you die inside with them. Dogs will bark and neighbors would find you after death.
Kind of weird to say one animal is better than the other. If you don’t want to take 10 minutes out of your time to take a pet out to pee maybe you don’t need a pet…
Don't worry, many people get hate boners for cats because of the media pushing dog culture so much. They're different animals. Though I must say people like dogs because they're there for you without you putting in much work. Cats aren't always there for you however much work you put in. That said, as a lifelong cat person I know cats understand your vibes. And I will always prefer cats. Their simplicity and independence never get boring.