10 Reasons Why Cats Are Better Pets Than Dogs
79Rori hops up and puts her paws on the keyboard. Using KT's lap as a chair, she starts typing:
Well of course cats are superior to dogs! What dog can do this, or even think of doing it? I keep my own journal on the computer; in fact, all of us felines here do. So, here are my picks for the top 10 reasons we rule and dogs drool!
#1: No barking
Sure, my uncle Skylar and my aunt Tabby can scream when they choose, but at least we cats don't shout our heads off over every little thing. Dogs have to keep a running commentary about everything: cars, people going by, even if a leaf falls! Cats only use our voices when necessary: needing food, needing water, wanting to know where the humans are. Other than that, we are quiet, at least to human ears.
#2: Keep to our own schedule
We pretty much set our own schedule. If a human's around, we take their schedule into consideration when planning ours, but mostly our time is our own. Leave a bowl of food and one of water out, and we'll eat when we choose and drink water when we choose. We'll use the litter box when we need to, without making a big fuss over it. When the humans are sitting still, we may go up and sit on a lap to be petted, but on our terms, not yours. We play when we want, sleep when we want, and prowl when we want.
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#3: Don't need to be walked
What is this with walks, anyway? Why do dogs need permission to take a walk, and have to have a human along? Cats go on walks by ourselves, and we don't need leashes, halters, collars (ok, collars are a good thing sometimes), or special whistles. Aunt Tabby goes out on a leash and harness sometimes, but that's when she's working at the retirement home. That's different. If we want to walk, we walk! Besides, when we want to go out with our humans, we go in style. We stroll! We take our stroller to the vet and to the pet store, and Tabby goes in the stroller to her work. That way, we ride and get to see everything, and our humans do all the work.
#4: No fancy toys
Ever seen a cat with a ball launcher? No way, it would be an insult to our dignity! The best toys in the house are bottle caps, milk rings, wadded up pieces of paper, and fleece strips! When bored, we go find a toy from our secret hidden stash, and play. We don't need anyone throwing things for us to fetch, or choosing for us which toy we play with. I play fetch occasionally, but I bring the selected toy to the humans, not the other way around. I do this for their good, because they can use the feline influence. Hey, they might be bored then, too!
#5: Cleanliness
This is a big one for us cats. We are fastidious groomers. We clean our own ears, coats, paws, and private parts. We even clean each other. No need for baths, smelly shampoos, and no NASTY wet dog smell! If we smelled like THAT, there would be something seriously wrong, and we would be (ahem) begging our humans for a bath from them, not fighting them for it! We do like to be brushed, but that's more of a feline-human bonding experience than coat care.
We also don't get into all the stuff that dogs get into. When is the last time you saw any self-respecting feline in a mess of poop or rolling around in a dead animal carcass? And don't even get me started on the eating poop thing that dogs do! How disgusting!
#6: Are friends with our humans
Speaking of self-respect, when is the last time you saw a cat bow to a human? We don't slobber all over them, cater to their every whim, or rely on them to give us everything we need socially. Cats in pairs or more will take care of our own social needs, thank you kindly. We will, however, befriend humans. We will come to you for petting, curl up in your lap to say thank you, and even purr for you. None of this is because of what you do for us; it is because you are you and we respect you as a separate entity.
#7: Can live just about anywhere
We all know dogs, even the smaller varieties, need places to run around, their own yard preferably, and parks or walking areas nearby, as well as places to do their business. Cats are much more compact. We're physically smaller, so we can live two to an apartment, if needed. We prefer space, but as long as we have at least two rooms we get along fine (depending on how many other entities are in the house). With that said, don't crowd us by putting too many of us in a small space together.
Our "stuff" doesn't take up much room either. Just a box for each cat, plus one more, and our food and water bowls. A place to hide is nice, too. We will find the other things we need for ourselves: pillows, blankets, a nice sunny window to nap in. We don't need to go outdoors, and are actually safer and happier being inside. We can watch the world from the window, thank you!
#8: Don't destroy the house
Ok, so we scratch. So, get us a scratching post and keep our nails trimmed. At least we don't go through the trash, shred papers, take your dirty laundry and tear it up, or make messes on the nicely-made bed if we stay inside all day. We are well-mannered. The only time we have issues with you or your stuff is when there is a REAL problem, like the litter box not being scooped when it needs to be. And then, we just leave a small present in a strategic place and get on with our lives. We might leave you a hairball sometimes, too, but that is beside the point. Actually, at our house, my aunt Sara puts her hairballs and vomit in the litter box, too.
Tabby comes on command
#9: Can do tricks
So, you think that a plus to having dogs is that they do tricks? We cats can do tricks for humans, too. Aunt Tabby puts her paw up to ask to be petted, and we all come, sit and lie down on command. You have to be patient, but we can learn all the tricks any dog can do. We just might not do them all the time for you.
Tabby asks to be petted
#10: Cats are cuter
I know this is subjective, but aren't we just the cutest things? Our humans certainly think so! Much better than those slobbery, smelly, whiney, dog things.
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This is Callie and Blackie again. Wow! This hub was much better than ours! I can't believe you have a kitty stroller. You're so lucky! Mom won't even let us out of the house. She keeps saying she's scared a bear or wolf is going to eat us. Pfff! I don't believe that.
Anyway, what a great hub! Stay in touch with us, and let us know how you're doing. And if you hear about anyone that wants a dog, give us a meow.
Blackie and Callie
*paw waves to Callie and Blackie* I saw the dogs got to your computer, too. They probably learned that from watching you write your hub!
We love our stroller! Your mom should really try putting you on a harness and leash and letting you outside that way. If you don't like it, just scoot around on your belly to show her who's boss, but it's a safe way to go outside. Well, the best way is the stroller. Our vet loves that we've got one, too, because then we can just wheel in to the office in style. Mommy can take Tabby on the bus to her therapy cat work, and it's so much handier to roll than to be carried around in a carrier. We even know of cats on Catster who go out for a stroll every day with their parents!
Oh yes, go on soften everyone up with your "Look at me, I wouldn't hurt a flea aren't I cute" propaganda. But we foxes know your number. You sneak out at night gather in gangs. Go round the neighbourhood singing "Memories". Go through all the rubbish bins.(bang crash). Then you sneak back home as if butter wouldn't melt in your mouth. Then we much maligned foxes get the blame for all of this.
Well the gigs up the secrets out!
(editors note:- "ag" does get carried away when he sees an injustice, nice hub.)
Great hub - I adore my dog but we've had cats too so I see your point - those foxes now, are best kept outside the fence :)
Way to go Rori...you tell 'em how it is with us felines! :)
It would be OK if you cats stayed on your side of the fence . We foxes could live with that, but we gotta live too, don't we? Like you get fed by hand and pampered and all that mushy stuff. But what have we got? Take away every night! Come on show some compassion?
Awww...poor you, agvulpes! We live indoors only, so we're no threat to you. And, if your cousins lived near us, we'd feed them too. Our mom puts out a bowl for the neighborhood feral cats, and the raccoon and possum eat there as well. They're nice to the cats they share the food with, and even the baby possum has been taught to share with the outside feral cats.
Ok so I might have misjudged you guys a tad!
You wouldn't be just trying to lull me into a false sense of security, so my cuz's will come in and get trapped and finish up around someones neck as a stole? Huh
We foxes are very suspicious you know!
Nope, we're very environmentally conscious here, and animal-friendly! No fur coats for us except our own! :)
Thats what we of the animal kingdom like to hear. More power to the cats!
Now if I could just talk to you about that Father Christmas outfit, I know a good tailor!
Skylar's wearing the Santa Claus outfit because he published a hub about pet-friendly Christmas decorating. He usually wears his tux. ;)
Well that's more like it. If we had met a bit earlier Skylar could have come over for the Melbourne Cup. Tuxes will be very "in" this year. Poor Skylar seems to be doing all the work over there, doesn't he have a valet or something like that?
Hmm...Rori wrote this hub, Carbon did the interviews for the one about adopting a pet, and Skylar wrote the Christmas decorating one. We're splitting out the work pretty evenly. Tabby and Sara have yet to write, although Sara was interviewed for the adoption one.
Ok Tabby sharpen up there buddy, get with the plan!. Your'e letting the team down,
Chop chop, put on the thinking cap you got to get a Hub out pronto and I mean now!!! Do you hear me??
Was that a YES?
Yes SIR! Mr. Fox SIR! *Tabby salutes Agvulpes* Just wrote one, about leash training. :) >^..^<
See, you just needed some encouragement! I have just read your new Hub and was very impressed. I think you deserve to recieve some sort of reward. How about an extra bowl of "Wiskers"?
Ok I've been watching from a distance as they say in that great song, now what was it called. ummm oh yeah "From a Distance".
Skylar, Its good to see you ditched the santa outfit, but my old eyes seem to be playing tricks on me again, thats not you trying to eat that rubber choock surely. If it is you old buddy where's the Tux, think of your image old boy. Its all in the first impressions!
Nope that's not me, Ag, it's Tabby. Blame it on Mom; she decided since it was Thanksgiving next week that Tabby should get a turn. But, the day after Thanksgiving, my Santa pic will go up again.
Phew for a minute there I thought the eyes had gone. I've been doing that Jesus trick of Shades in the Forums. Mum sure works you guys pretty hard , talk about a slave driver. Then she only gives you a lousy rubber turkey to eat. Well it looks like rubber from here? I'd forgotten about Thanksgiving we don't celibrate that over here, excuse my ignorance but what is it in honor of?
It's actually a fabric turkey toy, and the turkey comes apart into the legs and the body, and off the plate. We have fun tearing it apart and chasing each other around the house after someone else who's got a part we want to play with!
Thanksgiving is celebrated the fourth Thursday in November, and it's in honor of the Pilgrims from England landing in what is now Massachusetts. Well, that's how the story goes, anyway. It's actually more of a harvest festival giving thanks for the good things, life, health, etc., of the past year. Jerilee wrote an excellent hub that I was just reading, about the misinformation and how Thanksgiving is normally celebrated (in variations) around the U.S. It's at http://hubpages.com/hub/No-Thanks-Thanksgiving
Thanks for the info I'll do some reading.
You're right, cats are the best! Great hub! :)
Hi. My name is Eva! I am ten years old. I really like dogs, they fetch, they are nice. They are playful. But I will ALWAYS love cats. For these reasons you wrote and many more, cats will always be the better pet. I have a cat named Claire that is simply A-DOR-A-BLE!! Mind you, she isn't a kitten, but she sure can show you some affection. Go cats, go! Show them rats with fur who's better!
Typical reaction of someone who feels inferior towards another. If you need to sell on how great a cat is to us blast on.....
Typical cat owners. Just cant run with the BIG dogs and so do your best to hate....
LOL, Gus Gus! Actually, this hub was in response to a request for a hub like this, and a bunch of us did them. Also, there were a bunch of hubs written about reasons dogs were better than cats. They're all very humorous!
Hey! Mr. "Rats with fur"! You HIGHLY underestimate us! Rats DO have fur, and we aren't like those stupid slobbery dogs. Don't even compare us to them, Blech.
You all are always duking it out about whether cats or dogs are better, but NOBODY thinks to care about rodents! And forget hamsters and mice and such, us rats get ZERO respect from you guys! Everyone is all like, "Ew It's a rat it's got sewer germs!" In case you've never heard of them because you're bad with animals, there are such things as domestic rats! Sure, those VERMIN in the underground department may have given us a bad name, but you haven't experienced cute until you've spent some time with a rat.
But do we get any respect for it? NO! All we get is a bunch of fools saying, "Ew, gross, gross!"
Wow, ArrowHead, that would be a great idea for a hub! I challenge you to write one about why rats are better than both cats & dogs! :) >^..^
I don't think rats are better, I just think we should at least be on the list of candidates. I am personal friends with a cat, but dogs scare me a little. Imagine if they didn't see you, and accidentally stepped on you! Yikes!
But yeah, I think I will try writing to the justice of rats! We have such a bad stereotype, but I hope to turn that around. Thanks for your time!
MY TWO CENTS~
ive had cats since i was born. the cats i live w/ now…ive parented ever since i got em at the humane society about 15yrs ago. if u are dependent on cats…they will grow dependent on u. i baby my cats cuz they are my kids. next to my mom & my brother…my cats are my world. id die for my cats if i had to. when im not home…my neighbors have said they can hear my cats cry. they follow me around like dogs. they gotta be at my side 24/7. it all depend on how u raise your cats. also…it for the most part depend on if its a male cat or female cat. cats are like humans in alot of ways. (for the most part) male cats are less affectionate…more rebelous…more independent…less cuddely cuz most male cats dont like to be held)…more mentally & psychologically seperated from the pet parent…more tempermental…they can spray & will even if they are fixed…love to do things that will piss yah off…less docile & more aggressive…etc.
cats will beg for food on a reg basis. AGAIN…ITS ALL ABOUT HOW U RAISE EM. as soon as i feed my cats they\’re cat food…the want on the dining room table & eat food off my plate all the time but thats cuz i let em. my food is they\’re food. i am they\’re equal. if i dont feed em 1st they\’re cat food…they wanna fill up on human food. they\’ll paw at me or at the food if it isnt w/in reach. if they\’re bowls are empty & its 4am…they will do whatever they gotta do to wake me up to feed em. if human food isnt w/in reach…they will stare at me w/ a dirty look till they get what they want. more cats...the merrier. id love love love to live w/ 20 or so cats. "humans dont own cats...they own u. the only reason why your cats/dogs let u have a roof over your head is cuz u feed them. the only reason why cats/dogs let u sleep in the bed w/ them is cuz it helps calm them & helps them go to sleep. the only reason why cats/dogs let u feed em is cuz they dont have opposable thumbs which means they cant open the fridge. the only reason why they let u go to work is cuz they know…when u go to work…thats able to bring them home cat food. as long as u have cats/dogs…your will be forever under they’re control. your basically like a stringed puppet.
the ONLY flaw of cats that i can think of is they walk right underneathe your feet & u accidently step on em & then feel guilty as all hell like you\’ve just committed the ultimate sin.
Yep! You're sooooo right, Redneck! :)
I'm still very much a dog person lol but i do enjoy my kitties :D
Me agrees very muchly. We are clean animals, unlike dogs, we don't poop on the pavement, we do our buisness in a box - or if we're outside, in a quiet corner where we then shovel earth over the top. Which means a poor unsuspecting animal (or human) doesn't have to step in it.
Also, we CAN do tricks, as you mentioned, we just don't like being bossed about all the time. Dogs are merely puppets.
Cats rock!
that is a good point. A lot of people say that cats bother them more with allergies but I think it's about making sure carpets and house is cleaned properly to make easier for the dog or cat owner and family.
Cats are amazing. I have 8 and I'm fostering 2 barn kittens that were separated from their mother at 2 weeks of age. One is trying to type right nowlllllllllllll
cool check mines.heres reason why dogs are better www.freewebs.com/kodirule and www.freewebs.com/puppydogsrock
very funny, thanks for the hub!
I adore cats.....but my dog is way cuter than you guys....JKAY!!!I think both have their share of pros and cons.
Cats are MUCH cuter than dogs. Dogs are ugly. They also leave a nasty smell on anything they touch. They also slobber. Blech!
I lovecatsas well tey are a lo better than dogs I have a CatGenie which is a toilet for cats soI don't have to buy littler.
Awww, I love kitties. Cats make awesome pets. I've met people who weren't fans of cats and I don't know why. They are such cute babies. :)
I have a pug, and she doesn't bark at anything even though the neighbor's cat's stealing her food. She will NOT mess up the house because for some reason, she cleans herself like a cat does. She can open the crate lock, door, and she can play "Twinkle Little Star" on piano! We sometimes let her run off to the streets and she will come back with a new friend. She DOESN'T chase cats, because she treats our cousin's cat LIKE A BABY! Whenever the cat scratches her, she pretend she isn't bleeding and lick her. She's so cute, she ACTS like a cat and jump REALLY high. We don't give her fancy toys, but we just get a crumpled piece of newspaper and she'll chew on it. She sleeps with me and doesn't scratch the bed. She doesn't slobber unless she eats some garlic (garlic is poisonous for dogs). I'm not only saying this for MY dog, but I'm saying this for every dog. Saint Bernards rescue people in the avalanches, and the bloodhounds help find people who are lost. Dalmations help rescue people in a fire, while a cat will sneak out the back door. Labradors help guide the blind. dogs could do many important things a cat can;t do, and cats are SO independent, they will probably think that they will survive on their own in the wild.
Peggy the pug
I agree 100%. cats are a real realtionship. There are times they want to keep to themselves and there are other times they snuggle up next to you with their soothing purr. Dogs are cool byt theya re basically groupies. it's exciting to feel like a rock star by having someone follow you around and worship the ground you walk in . But come on, your realtionship with the cat is more real.
You know most of these traits actually depend on the dog's BREED. Not all dogs are like this. But of course I don't expect anything different from cat lovers. Cats are for people who can't handle the slobber and the poop and the barking (unless you have a dog AND a cat then well....) most of that stuff doesn't bother people with dogs. All the dogs I've met are friendly and happy but all of the cats I've met are solitary, avoiding, pain inflicting and overall rude. Sorry i don't mean to be a party pooper but I had to say something :/
Thanks for your honest comment, "No". I'm actually both a cat and a dog person, but happen to have cats now because my husband is decidedly not a dog person. I've met dogs who were not friendly or happy, but you're right that it depends on the breed and the training as well. I've also met (and owned) cats who were aloof and solitary, but not most. It all depends on their personality and how they've been treated. Each of each species is an individual. :)
Here's another reason why cats are better they don't chew everything up
i thinks cats are better than dogs because they dont ask for attention!
more reasons cats are better than dogs:
1. we are softer
2. cats will get on your computer keyboard to keep you from seeing questionable content
3. cats have an innate sense of who is in charge. it is not you.
4. you never see a cat with a monkey riding on its back
5. cats wouldn't be caught dead in a tutu
6. cats will become embarrassed if they do something stupid.
7. we can ignore the crap out of you
8. we aren't fooled by the "where's the ball?" trick. we know you have it.
9. cats can read and write
10. we won't chew up your new shoes. we'll just barf on them
*giggles* Thanks for stopping by, Perry! Those are all good reasons, too! ;)
Happy to be of service
I love this post, but dogs are great too.
I mostly agree on the cats are cuter bit, I mean dogs are cute too, but imagine a puppy and a kitten. The kitten wins in cuteness by a landslide.
~love the post
First of all, I am appalled at how steryeotype cat people are with dogs. Every cat person complains that dog are "smelly, barking, whiny, slobbery"- this is absolutely untrue. People can't seem to come up with any other reasons of why dogs are bad, and these aren't even good reasons! First of all, if you know a dog that is smelly, barking, whiny, or slobbery, it is because of bad training or unproper care, and I know this for a fact! For instance, I just picked up my adorable goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle mix- cuter than anything!) 2 weeks ago. She was just 7 weeks old. The first and second night we got her, she was great at everything but staying quiet at night- it was horrible!! By the third night, she already had learned to quiet down and had also learned two commands!!! She is the smartest thing ever now and is eager to learn (-;
Cats, you aren't involved. They're just there. People insist that it is just the best thing ever to have a cat right there to snuggle with any time- well, if that's what you want, why don't you move closer to an animal shelter and just drive there whenever you feel like a cuddle? How stupid does that sound? I don't see the point in a pet if you aren't going to interact constantly with them and be involved in raising them. My puppy has NO PROBLEM with slobber at all, I SWEAR, never has she slobbered on anything- that behavior is more likely found in pugs or English bull terriers, and I have news for you cat ladies: not all dogs are pugs!!! And the whole cuteness thing---- hello, would you rather have some creepy beady eyed baby that sheds like crazy or a sweet, playful puppy with big brown eyes??? Seriously? My worst complaint of cats is the fact that they shed, shed, shed and dare to stalk around everywhere, making them terribly unhygienic. And scratching? Dont even get me started- would you rather have a shoe with the toe chewed up or a pair of shredded up silk drapes? Huh?
A way of looking at it is you have two people that there is a possibility of you making friends with- one is shy, mysterious, quiet, average looking, clingy, and unsocial. The other is outgoing, funny, supportive, friendly, and she was the first one to approach you with a warm welcome and smile. Well, you'd pick the second girl if you know anything about a good friend. This person would be most like the equivalent of a dog, and the first girl would be more like the same as an average cat.
The whole thing about dogs in general being vicious is crazy- agression is not a personal trait any pet is born with, it builds up over time. If you are going through with at least some consistent training, this problem is easy worked around of and you will never have to worry about it.
Worst of all, half of everyone in the WORLD is allergic to cats. For dogs, there are many hypoallergenic breeds to choose come that come in grea variety. You might point out that there are hypoallergenic cats too, but really- exactly how many people do you know with a non-shedding kitty? Hmmm I thought so.
The point is, dogs are better companions and in general the smarter choice of pet, so live with it crazy cat people!
And who needs reasons? It's obvious
Cats rule
Great hub. I love cats. They are much easier than dogs !
You GO Pix!
Yup. Cats rule and nothing will stop it.
Buster, I like the way you think!
mistyhorizon2003 Level 7 Commenter 3 years ago
Ahhhh, so cute, my cats will love this hub :)