Dogs vs. cats

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 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 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.

[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

[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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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! :-)

[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.