Dogs vs. cats

[AFPheonix]

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

[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.

[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

[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!

[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

[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.

[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?

[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

[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).

[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.

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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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 ).