Dogs vs. cats

[rdp78]

I have noticed several CS members has one of these creatures as a pet and ussually prefer one over the other. Sometimes they do have both as pets but that is kind of rare. I myself as you know have dog named Princess and she is probaby the best pet we ever had not to mention she lived longer than any of our other pets. We did have a couple of cats (not together) a couple of decades ago but one ran away and other one got hit by a car. After that my mom didn't want to have another cat mainly because they ruined the furniture.

Of couse, both are the most popular pets in America and elsewhere and both usually are treated as member of a family. Even through dogs are more useful than cats since they are used for many types of jobs such as police, military, search & rescue, hunting, helping disable people and so forth. I think the only thing cats are good for are catching mice and rats when they are not sleeping :lol:. Also I have seen televised dog shows but I don't think I have ever seen a cat show on television.

We also see this fued play out in the media most notably President Clinton trying to get the family cat, Socks to get along with the new puppy, Buddy. It seems like he had a better time getting the Israelis and Palenstines to get along then two animals. Also there was a movie called "Cats & Dogs" in 2001 where a beagle puppy tries to stop an evil fluffy white cat from ruling the world. Also there seems to be more roles for dogs then cats and cats are kind of meaner than dogs.

Any way you probably know where I stand on this issue. I'm a dog person and I kind think cats have bit of an attitude problem (also hated when my cats scratched me). So what is everyone's opinion on this little fury issue and do you have one or the other or even both?

[Greenday]

Cats are too moody to enjoy. They'll rub up against you, purring for attention. Then when you bend down to pet it, the lil bastard bites/scratches you.

Dogs? A dog is either good or mean. If it's good, you have nothing to worry about. That dog will love you no matter what.

[I8DaCookie]

I'm a cat person. Currently, I only have one cat but as soon as I get my own place, I'm going to get a second one.

It does depend on my cat's mood whether or not she wants to be messed with. She can be very affectionate one minute, meowing for attention and then aloof the next. She's also very playful and highly entertaining.

I find dogs to be too "aggressive" for affection. Not the mean kind of agressisve but the pushy for attention kind. They slobber and lick and the little ones are just plain annoying. And if they are aggressive, they are more capable of seriously hurting me than my cat.

Most of all, I'm terrified of dogs. When I was a kid, I was holding the leash of my mother's boyfriend's dog while at a park. The dog saw some people riding bikes and took off after them with me still attached to the leash. I was dragged for a good distance. I've hated them ever since. I hate going to my friends place because of her dog. She knows that if I'm coming over, the dog needs to be placed in a room with the door shut. I have another friend who's family breeds golden retreivers. I hate going there too. So many dogs just rushing at me, just being nice, but still...

[anriana]

IOf couse, both are the most popular pets in America and elsewhere and both usually are treated as member of a family. Even through dogs are more useful than cats since they are used for many types of jobs such as police, military, search & rescue, hunting, helping disable people and so forth. I think the only thing cats are good for are catching mice and rats when they are not sleeping :lol:. Also I have seen televised dog shows but I don't think I have ever seen a cat show on television.

Either they're treated as a member of the family or they're used as tools - not both.

[McDreidel09]

I'm more of a cat person. I find cats to be independent and not needing much training. Sure I had to show them where the litter box was when they first got here and when we moved it and if they peed anywhere else, I had to give them a swat. As long as I set out food at the right times,keep their water bowl and cup(yes, a cup. One of my cats is particular.) full,brush them, clean the litter box, and take them to the vet when needed, then I could leave the house and not be worried that they will pee on the furniture.

My cats are very loyal. Fuzzy Butt is very affectionate. Meanie Butt can be affectionate, but only to my mom and myself. When we come in the door, they run to the door and greet us with meows. When we go to sleep.they snuggle next to us and purr.

On a doctor's visit, they took my blood pressure and commented on how good it is, not too high,not too low. The nurse asked me if I had pets. I told her that I have two cats. She told me that pets are really good for keeping blood pressure levels at a great level.

They are my babies. I know I didn't bring them into the world, but I gave them a great home, away from the abuse they were once used to.

[AFPheonix]

I rather like both, they fill different niches in my pet life. My barn cats tend to be very sweet. My favorite one, Hammy (who disappeared a few weeks ago...damn coyotes) would get on the wall of the arena, wait for me to come by on whatever training horse I was on, and if I didn't pet him would run across to the opposite wall and wait for me to come by again.
I wish my husband would have let me bring him here to live at the apartment with us, but between my roommate and her kids, we just had too many people with cat dander allergies. :(
Now Loki waits for me outside the arena gate for adoration when I'm working someone.

Dogs are sweet and cuddly and funny too. The bonus with cats is they don't eat my underpants, so they do have a leg up there...

[Boozy]

I'm a dog person, 100%.

But I suspect that's because I've always been allergic to cats. I've never been free to really enjoy them or spend time with them.

My friend has a cat, and she sends me these popular black-and-white Youtube cartoons to watch. Watching how the cat behaves in these videos, and reading all the comments saying how true it is, is interesting. In over half of these videos, you could replace the cat with one of my dogs and the behaviour would be identical. There may not be as much difference between cats and dogs as we think when it comes down to our interactions with them. After all, animals adapt themselves to our lives instead of us to theirs.

[daleduke17]

Either they're treated as a member of the family or they're used as tools - not both.

There are several police and arson K9 units that will disagree with you.

[Boozy]

Dogs can be put to work and be members of the family at the same time, just as people can be. I did chores growing up; that didn't mean I wasn't a member of the family.

Our collies were trained as herding dogs. They contributed to the farm, and they liked it. Dogs are like people in that they like to feel useful. They did what they were bred to do, and that is a great life for a dog.

[anriana]

Dogs can be put to work and be members of the family at the same time, just as people can be. I did chores growing up; that didn't mean I wasn't a member of the family.

Our collies were trained as herding dogs. They contributed to the farm, and they liked it. Dogs are like people in that they like to feel useful. They did what they were bred to do, and that is a great life for a dog.

Did your parents have children so they could have someone to do chores?

I don't evaluate my family members based on the tasks I can use them for.

[Boozy]

Did your parents have children so they could have someone to do chores?

Of course not. I think I see what you're saying now, but I still disagree.

We got our farm dogs because we loved dogs and wanted a pet. We then chose a breed that was suitable for life on a farm, and decided to train them to do some herding.

However, our neighbours had more heads of cattle than we did, and they did acquire dogs for the main purpose of herding. But even they did not evaluate their dogs based on the tasks they did for them. One of their best loved dogs was "retired" at the very young age of three due to an injury, and that dog lived with them until dying at a ripe old age.

[Giggle Goose]

Did your parents have children so they could have someone to do chores?


Sometimes I thought so....:p

Kidding. But in years past when agriculture was the primary way of life, couples had lots of kids for that exact purpose: to work the farm. But that's highly unlikely in developed countries in this day and age.

[guywithashovel]

I like dogs, though if I ever get my own pet, it'll probably be a cat. Cats are just so much more independent than dogs are. They don't run up to you the second you get home, desperate for you to pet them and shower them with all kinds of affection. Likewise, a cat won't jump up in your lap and lick your face two minutes after licking its balls.

My aunt D has one cat that she keeps in the house, and she has two outside cats that are kind of like "neighborhood cats," meaning that several people in the neighborhood put out food for them. About a week ago, when we were having a bitter cold snap in my part of the globe, D decided to bring those two cats inside. She had brought one of them in before, but the other one had never been inside her house. The *very minute* she let it inside, it went right downstairs and found the litter pan. I'm sure most dogs would have required a bit more training than that.

And as an illustration of what I said earlier about dogs being desperate for attention, let me use a dog own by my other aunt, Aunt P. P's dog literally goes apeshit every time someone comes through the front door, especially if it's someone she doesn't know or know very well. One day, my grandma and I went over to P's house for P's birthday celebration. Grandma and I don't go over there very often, so we were essentially stranger's to her dog. For several minutes after we walked in, the dog was literally charging from one end of the living room to the other and bouncing off of the furniture. One second it would be darting across the floor. The next second it would be on top of the couch. The next second it would be running for the kitchen. The next second it would be jumping up on the recliner. The next second it would be jumping all over us and trying to get ahold of the cake and ice cream we had brought with us. Etc. Etc. Etc. And when it jumps up on you, it doesn't do any good to do the typical "down, doggy, down" motions with your hands (which is what most people's natural reaction is) because the dog thinks you want to play with it, and therefore just gets more hyper. After a few minutes, the dog did settle down, though. But still, it would be a bit much for me to deal with that every time I came home. I tend to like my space. And usually, cats will give that to you. They like to run off and hide, and then come out and visit with you when they feel like it. And when they do, they're usually pretty low-key.

Now, to move on to another subject, I'm kind of surprised that no one has mentioned the insinuation that dogs are "men's pets" and cats are "women's pets." It bugs me when people act like cats are wimpy animals, and that men who own them or like them are deficient in masculinity. For starters, no one ever accuses women of being butch if they own dogs. Plus, it's flat out wrong. Anyone who knows anything about cats would never---and I mean NEVER---say that they are wimpy animals. They have sharp claws and can weild them with lightning speed. As if that weren't enough, they can walk without making any noise.

And how many times has a large dog been seen walking away with its tail between its legs because a cat stood up to it?

[tabbyblack13]

I grew up with both dogs and cats. After I graduated from college and got a house I adopted two cats. I do get greeted at the door by at least one of them. He often can't leave me alone when I first get home. Of course now he's digging in my purse for something. :confused: I love cats for the fact that they are independent and at times crazy.

I do want to get a dog in the future. I will have to get a bigger house before I can get a dog. It will have to get along with the cats first and a size that my boy cat won't hunt.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Now, I love dogs. However, I can't have one as a pet at this precise moment, due to circumstances; I live in a flat, plus I live alone and am at work a lot of the time, so it wouldn't be fair on the dog. I also love cats; my cat lives with my parents cuz when I moved out, she was already settled and it wouldn't have been fair to uproot her. However, she still considers me her owner and claws everyone cept me. XD Back in the mists of time, there was a family dog who lived to be 15 before she was finally put to sleep cuz of kidney tumours.

I'd love to have both as pets living with me in the future. ^^

[Dreamstalker]

I like both cats and dogs, we'd prefer to have both if they would get along and my mom had the space for a dog.
It bugs me when people act like cats are wimpy animals,
One of our old cats, Sooty, most definitely was not. When we got her I had to come up with creative ways of making sure my bedroom door latched, otherwise I would wake up to her chewing on me. We used to joke that if she escaped (living in VT at the time), she would take a couple coyotes/bears/other nasty fauna down with her. She was mean.

And how many times has a large dog been seen walking away with its tail between its legs because a cat stood up to it?
McGriff has been known to intimidate a few dogs (not massively huge compared to him, but a good deal bigger).

[Flyndaran]

I so wish I wasn't allergic to doggies. I love my cats more than anything, but I miss being able to so much as touch a dog.

[tropicsgoddess]

I have a dog, I like the loyalty and devotion dogs have. Despite Bear's small size, whenever I'm alone he makes me feel safe since he's always on watchdog mode (he's a Schipperke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schipperke) ).

[Flyndaran]

For those thinking all cats are regal and independent...
My almost two year old intact male has now decided that my left arm is his girlfriend. Just last night he again had "relations" while I tried to sleep. I didn't like the sudden realization that he had FIVE points of contact with lefty.

[ElMarko]

Dogs are loud, smelly, and they require constant attention. You might as well have children.

It's interesting to note that, where it is known, the really evil leaders in history were dog lovers and cat haters. I think it is because they like the slavish obedience of dogs. Yes, that means that dog lovers are wanna-be dictators.

[MystyGlyttyr]

Well, for the mentioning of cats not being working animals, my cat is trained to do some work. He can fetch certain things, break up fights between the other cats, and catch flies that are bothering any of the humans all on a signal (he's deaf so I have to signal instead of say anything). He's also trained to shoulder ride, come, and "get down" (because Wally likes to climb).

Meantime, my dog cannot be taught to go under the house without hitting her head on the wall. LOL

[protege]

For those thinking all cats are regal and independent...
My almost two year old intact male has now decided that my left arm is his girlfriend.

That's why you get your cat "fixed." He'll settle down, and stop doing that :p

[Ghel]

That dog will love you no matter what.

That just shows how stupid they are. Obviously, I'm a cat person. I think dogs are dumb, annoying, smelly, and entirely too much work. My cats are smarter, cleaner, and far more loyal than any dog I've ever met.

Cats are just so much more independent than dogs are. They don't run up to you the second you get home, desperate for you to pet them and shower them with all kinds of affection.

Mine do. In fact, one of my cats jumped on my shoulder, demanding attention, while I was reading this.

Likewise, a cat won't jump up in your lap and lick your face two minutes after licking its balls.

Mine does. :rolleyes:

My cats are always indoor cats: neutered and declawed. Although one does try to get out as often as she can, we try to keep them indoors so they don't get hurt. As for temperment, one hides when strangers are around, one is friendly, and the third is aloof - she'll sit across the room and pointedly ignore you. Of course, that's towards guests. All three of them are affectionate towards me and my husband.

[AdminAssistant]

BT's cat will occasionally hop in my lap for a pet, be all happy and loving for a few seconds, then turn around and start attacking my hands/feet. And he loves my shoes.

Cats tend to make my eyes and sinuses unhappy. I prefer dogs. I miss my puppy (he's at home with my parents). :(

[Cat]

Cats, and lots of 'em (though no more than you can acre for)


Then again, my Riley is part Siamese, so he acts very dog like, loyal, loud, follows me around, sometimes fetches (and he sorts sits on command)


I do like dogs, though I'd probably never own one....I love to see and "meet" them when hiking

[thelong1]

I always had many cats and many dogs growing up but after graduating college my first pet of my own was a dog, but I would say I'm more of a dog person. In fact I'm part of that group that feels like my dog is part of my family.

Do those of you who consider yourselves cat people out there feel the same emotional connection to your cats as I do with my dog? My dog can always tell what kind of mood I'm in and she'll act accordingly. She knows when I'm upset with her, when I'm proud of her (she beams with a little doggy grin), she knows when I'm in the mood to play or when I just need to relax. I know when she's happy, when she's tired, when she's sad, when she gets mad at me. I can tell when she did something bad when I've been away or if she's been good all day long just by how she acts when I get home.

She is definitely needy like most dogs are, epsecially spoiled dogs like mine. She basically follows me everywhere I go. She gets upset if I get home late or if even I sleep in too late. I couldn't ever teach my cats tricks like my dog knows (sit, stay, come, back, up, jump, roll over, give, take, stand with verbal and hand commands for most too) and we really only had one cat that cared to respond to her name growing up, though I do think some of the others did know their names they were just a bit snotty.

I just feel like with dogs your really get to know them and they really get to know you and I never felt that same type of connection with cats. Has anyone had this type of connection with their cat?

[AFPheonix]

Hammie was a feral living in the barn when we moved to the farm. He tamed up for me and followed me around everywhere I went. He'd sit on the arena rail and wait for me to go by. If I didn't stop to say hi to him he'd hop down and run to the opposite rail for me to go by again.
He'd hang out with me all day and night if he could. When I moved out, he'd be friendly to other people, but as soon as he heard my voice he'd be right there with me.

So yeah, you can definitely have a pretty close connection to some cats. No, I never tried teaching him tricks, but he was definitely a good companion.

[Cat]

I always had many cats and many dogs growing up but after graduating college my first pet of my own was a dog, but I would say I'm more of a dog person. In fact I'm part of that group that feels like my dog is part of my family.

Do those of you who consider yourselves cat people out there feel the same emotional connection to your cats as I do with my dog? My dog can always tell what kind of mood I'm in and she'll act accordingly. She knows when I'm upset with her, when I'm proud of her (she beams with a little doggy grin), she knows when I'm in the mood to play or when I just need to relax. I know when she's happy, when she's tired, when she's sad, when she gets mad at me. I can tell when she did something bad when I've been away or if she's been good all day long just by how she acts when I get home.

She is definitely needy like most dogs are, epsecially spoiled dogs like mine. She basically follows me everywhere I go. She gets upset if I get home late or if even I sleep in too late. I couldn't ever teach my cats tricks like my dog knows (sit, stay, come, back, up, jump, roll over, give, take, stand with verbal and hand commands for most too) and we really only had one cat that cared to respond to her name growing up, though I do think some of the others did know their names they were just a bit snotty.

I just feel like with dogs your really get to know them and they really get to know you and I never felt that same type of connection with cats. Has anyone had this type of connection with their cat?

Yup, with every single cat I've been owned by :)

[Cats]

Has anyone had this type of connection with their cat?

Yes. But every cat is different, so not with all of them. Our cat we had when I was young, Cookie, was a GROUCH. He wasn't a mean cat per se, he just didn't want to be bothered at all. He was the kind of independant cat who only needed and wanted us for food and to let him in and out sort of thing. Back then, I wanted a dog as well, since they were friendlier compared to him.

That all changed when I got Lola. My darling little ball of fluff. She's a small cat, like the way I'm a small person. I love her to pieces. When annoyed, she can be a brat (people can be the same), but overall, she's wonderful. I have this great bond with her that no one in the family shares (she has a small bond with my mom as well, but not nearly as strong). She greets me at the door every day when I come home from work, and comes to sleep with me if I'm sick or upset.

She's not very playful the way some cats are (like she won't chase a string for very long and doesn't play with the catnip mice), but then again, she's getting old. We used to play a sort of hide and seek with her in the halways when she was a kitten. As she got older, she became sort of a mini human trapped in a cat's body (seriously, she insists on sleeping on furniture and rarely on a floor, sitting half upright. If she's on the bed, she likes having her head on the pillow). We joke about this frequently.


Cleo is less interactive since she's a cat who loves the outdoors (when the weather is nice, she's spend all day outside, comming in only to eat and for one quick nap). But still, she can be affectionate as well, especially when someone isn't feeling well. Even though they're far from friends (though not exactly enemies either, they don't really interact, but it's clear Lola is the alpha cat), they'll both sit next to each other on the person, which they rarely do other wise. Seeing how most cats are territorial and don't like sharing turf with any other cats, it's amazing to see that they can share an emotional bond with a human great enough to overcome their assertiveness over another cat. Most cat owners know it, but when you live with a cat, you don't own it, it owns YOU.


I like how cats are independant, but that doesn't stop some of them from still being friendly and affectionate. A cat is capable (and sometimes prefers) of taking care of all of its needs on its own. Dogs, being pack animals, require a lot of attention, and that's something I can't give (even if that makes me selfish in saying so). Plus I wouldn't want to piss off the neighbors with a dog barking in the middle of the night cause it needs something NOW. I can't stand that about some dogs. And once one starts, half the other dogs in the surrounding area start up too!

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I don't get where the 'dogs are always loud and smelly and pushy' stuff comes from. Yeah, in general compared to cats they are, but that's like writing off movies as bad because lots of them have violence and bad humor. My first dog (now 14 going on 15 O.o, Aussie Cattle dog - something mix) was always very quiet until recently, and even now she only get's loud when there's an 'intruder' or the like as she's getting a little paranoid. Our new dog, a Husky - Hound (we think possibly pharaoh hound given her resemblance) mix is incredibly quiet, I've only heard her bark a few times and she's almost always deadly silent. Both of them spend most of their time lounging about, and only get excited when it's time to go to the dog run or when they've been cooped up for weeks.

Honestly, I've never liked cat's because their sort of aloof and mysterious. I've never really had cause to wonder what my dogs were thinking about and it's nice to know that they are as attached to me as I am to them.

Anywhoo, just my 2 cents

[Flyndaran]

I...
Honestly, I've never liked cat's because their sort of aloof and mysterious. I've never really had cause to wonder what my dogs were thinking about and it's nice to know that they are as attached to me as I am to them.

Anywhoo, just my 2 cents

Cats only seem that way until you get to know them. They each have individual personalities and a desire for independence unusual for dogs.
They still need human interaction and love despite the myth of complete self-centeredness.

[AFPheonix]

Even Chompy the half-wild barn cat likes him some attention from his peeps.

[blas87]

I'm really torn. I can't pick.

I do think, with cats, that they are just as unique and different as humans are, when it comes to their personalities. Baby, my kitty, is the meanest, most vicious little thing ever. She hates everyone and is only nice when she goes into heat. She's overly skittish and very, very tempermental. And she once tried to chase a deer.

FatCat, the obese tabby cat, has always been slightly skittish around some, but very loving, loyal, and always there when you need someone to talk to. She can just sense when you're feeling down. She loves to cuddle and snuggle....and eat. And eat. And eat. And eat.

Bear the dog is probably the best dog that I will ever own. I have never seen such a smart dog in my life. Many people say that laboradors are stupid, but I have to disagree. Bear is a lab/retriever mix, but I'd say more laborador. She has a very large vocabulary. You have to watch what you say around her, because she KNOWS what a car is, what a car ride is, what the park is, what a walk is, what a treat is, what a bath is......and she also knows what work is and what it means when we are all getting ready to leave.

[Fire_on_High]

Cats are too moody to enjoy. They'll rub up against you, purring for attention. Then when you bend down to pet it, the lil bastard bites/scratches you.


Asshole cats abound, but there are good ones. None of my four would even dream of doing that...over time they've proven themselves so gentle that we commonly rest our heads on them and use them as "kitty pillows". Aggression simply isn't tolerated, ever.

Likewise, a cat won't jump up in your lap and lick your face two minutes after licking its balls.


Best argument ever for neutering! :-)

[Flyndaran]

...
Best argument ever for neutering! :-)

That just moves the licking part to the anus then to your face. ;)

Then again I never had a dog that humped my arm when I sleep.
I know, I know, I need to get him castrated.

[Boozy]

Castration won't necessarily help, although it might. One of my (neutered) dogs is a humper. Dogs hump for various reasons, one of which is claiming territory. That might be what your dog is doing. In which case, consider yourself lucky that he's not peeing on you instead. :D

[Flyndaran]

Castration won't necessarily help, although it might. One of my (neutered) dogs is a humper. Dogs hump for various reasons, one of which is claiming territory. That might be what your dog is doing. In which case, consider yourself lucky that he's not peeing on you instead. :D

My humper is a cat! The only one I've ever heard of doing that.
"Fortunately", he is terrified of other cats, including the resident in heat females. For a while I wondered if he could be gay... he does only hump my male arm and never my girlfriend's.

[MystyGlyttyr]

My humper is a cat! The only one I've ever heard of doing that.
"Fortunately", he is terrified of other cats, including the resident in heat females. For a while I wondered if he could be gay... he does only hump my male arm and never my girlfriend's.

I've had a few gay kitties in my time.

Warning: Tearjerker alert...

There was George and Bruce who were two big toms...we never had them fixed and they never went anywhere near even in heat females, they spent all their time together. They ate together, shared a spot on the woodpile in the sun, gave each other baths, etc. Even when they walked, they were side-by-side and their tails would twine around each other like the Aristocats. It was so sweet as to make you nauseous. (And occasionally they would get up to...other things that really left no question as to what they were, heh.)

Not long ago we found Bruce outside after dying from old age and buried him. George spent the next couple of days walking around outside meowing and looking for him, and then just kind of...laid down and died. There one minute and gone the next. Major Red Fern moment. Yes, we made sure to put them together.

Tearjerker done, comedy now.

We also had one "crossdresser" kitty, Meany, who was never happy unless he was wearing his favorite pink bow. He'd assault you until you gave him that damn bow and oh God help you if you didn't tie it just right. LOL

[anriana]

I like cats and dogs, but my partner doesn't. I am out of the house so often that I wouldn't want to get a dog, because it would spend most of its time by itself. My parents have a poodle they keep in a crate for five-ten hours a day and I couldn't do that.

I agreed to adopt my cat because I knew that I could leave him at home by himself and he'll be okay emotionally.

[Flyndaran]

...
I agreed to adopt my cat because I knew that I could leave him at home by himself and he'll be okay emotionally.

I'm sorry to tell you, but that is a myth. Cats need social interaction just like people and dogs. A few may be lone wolves so to speak, but just like human hermits, they are rare.

[anriana]

I'm sorry to tell you, but that is a myth. Cats need social interaction just like people and dogs. A few may be lone wolves so to speak, but just like human hermits, they are rare.

I guess all those cat behavior books I read were wrong!

[Flyndaran]

I guess all those cat behavior books I read were wrong!

Even if they were written by vetrinarians.
Most people just accept what they are told about animal behavior. Even though studying it scientifically is relatively recent. Domestic cats in the wild have gotten the short end of the stick.
In the wild they will fraternize, nap together, and even help others give birth. They aren't anti-social normally.

[ladyneeva]

Even the ones who are anti-social with other cats still very well might need companionship... we have a 15 year old tom who will go seriously batshit crazy mean on other cats, but gets depressed to the point of refusing food if his chosen human isn't around him for at least a few hours a day. Just the way he is.

He's actually our exception cat... the other five exhibit what I've come to view as normal cat habits with socialization (or at least, within normal parameters). Some like more human time than others, some like more other cat time. Some are bestest friends forever type things, others are more laid back that way. Some are best friends with some cats and dislike others, etc.

About the only thing they all have in common is they go positively neurotic when separated for any length of time from all the other cats... they pace, they cry, they do unsavory things on shoes, furniture, and right next to instead of inside their litter boxes. We actually just moved yesterday (well, we've been moving furniture and such -- yesterday we "officially" moved -- the cats are now at the new house heh) and as a result of a shortage of space in our little car, we could only move three cats at a time. Isis did not stop crying and pacing until my husband got back with the second set and she was with her sister again.

I firmly believe that once a cat hits 8-9 years old, if it has to live without other cats around for any length of time it seems to 'forget' how to interact with others except in a simple INTRUDER ATTACK mode. Lightning (our old man) got along ok with other cats before he had to live alone for four years. After that, he wouldn't tolerate other cats.

Also, two cats are no more problem to care for than one cat. And one of the dividends of a multiple cat household... watching them interact is a HOOT lol. Three cats and you need a noticeably larger amount of cat food, litter, etc. By the time you hit six, you're spending the gross national product of a small country on them just in food bills lol. Not to mention vet bills, toy bills, grooming bills, licensing them if your city/town requires it etc.

[Depot Denizen]

Cats are very social creatures. At least mine are. The two get along with each other well enough but they enjoy and do need attention and affection from the humans in the house, we are part of the group. Animals are much better at reading body language and respond to it, as well. But they need attention like any other animal.

As for cat society...probably about 11 years ago my cat Cassie (who was quite pregnant) strolled up to me in the kitchen, then promptly laid down in front of me and started giving birth. I was quite amazed, and grabbed a nearby flattened out cardboard box and carefully slid her on that. A few minutes later her first litter of four were born, including Biggs (I miss the big fella) and his sister Gray. Years before -that- one of my other cats decided to give birth in the laundry basket in the bathroom. She felt it was a safe place.

[guywithashovel]

It may not be accurate to say that cats are not social animals, but I think it is safe to say that, for the most part, they do better than dogs when left alone.

My aunt's cat is staying with us right now (they're in the process of moving), and half the time I forget she's even here.

[Flyndaran]

It may not be accurate to say that cats are not social animals, but I think it is safe to say that, for the most part, they do better than dogs when left alone.
....

They destroy your stuff less often that dogs. But dogs evolved to understand and react to us in a more "effective" way. When a dog is upset, they instinctively know what to do to make us understand. A cat has to figure it out on an individual basis.

[protege]

Cats are very social creatures. At least mine are. The two get along with each other well enough but they enjoy and do need attention and affection from the humans in the house, we are part of the group. Animals are much better at reading body language and respond to it, as well. But they need attention like any other animal.

Well said :) My two kitties will play together, but they really like human attention. Most mornings, at least one of the kitties will be curled up in bed with me. Both will get in bed if it's cold in the house. But, if I'm not home, they'll curl up in the recliner together. As if that wasn't enough, when I come home from work...they're by the basement door to greet me.