Are you a dog or cat person?

[missy]

Personally this is how I feel



But, if I had to choose, I would choose cats.

I love all animals but cats are generally easier
Generally lower maintenance
Depending on the cat of course
And as long as they don't get sick
That is an entirely different thread

Of course each dog and each cat has their own personality and I am merely generalizing for the sake of this thread

With dogs you want to be home more often than you might need to with cats in order to walk them (or hire someone to walk them)
They need to go to the bathroom as much as humans do
They need regular exercise


Cats can be independent and sassy and do not provide unconditional love though there are exceptions which I have experienced. My very first few cats were just like dogs. I swear. They loved unconditionally and fully and followed me around everywhere; But after those kitties we experienced more typical cats. I love them all

Dogs are more loyal and trainable and social
Cats are affectionate in their own way
While not as obvious they are still very loving

I could go on and on but suffice to say I would be overjoyed having both cats and dogs in my family
As of now we only have cats. Though one day I would like to rescue a dog or two or three

I love both cats and dogs very much and at different stages of my life have had both

How about you? If you had to choose would you choose dogs or cats and why?

"

Cats Rule, Dogs Drool​

I know I’m going against the popular grain
Dogs will lick and cats will open a vein
One’s subservient while the other reigns
Fido’s a humble guy while Precious is vain

But I can’t deny what my heart knows
I’d rather be cat snubbed than get a dog's nose
Pushed up in places I’d prefer it never goes
While Pup is leg humping, kitty is a-doze

Can we revisit the part about a Dogs lick
A part of the body we euphemize as dick
Watching him gobble kinda makes me sick
Is there no wonder that a cat is my pick

Yes, I know puss's bottom is a source of joy
But let's move on and talk about cat toys
Attacking squeaky mouse with sneaky coy
While dog chews a bone, whoopie oh boy

Give me a sweet fur-baby to curl in my lap
While in quiet repose she takes her nap
Instead of a frenetic puppy in constant yap
Do you see the widening pet preferential gap

One is a taskmaster who takes me to school
The other has soft eyes and a constant drool
She can ignore me to the point of being cruel
But I don’t have to lawn clean up her stool

Okay, kitty snubs and rebuffs most snugs
And yes, she sometimes pushes me to drugs
And runs under my feet tripping me like a rug
But dang it, despite all, my heart she still tugs

Nothing wrong with a dog, nothing at all
If I ever preferred one, I really don't recall
But I’m so over kitty hurling up a furball
And cleaning up after pup pees a wall

Good grief, both of'm make me sigh
Maybe a Goldfish would be a good buy
Or a hamster in a cage is worth a try
Who’m I kidding its kitty till I die

"

 

[kenny]

I'm more a dog person than cat person.

The only time I lived with a cat was childhood, only because my sister always had to have one.
I really loved our little doggies, Kizzy and Yaya.



But as y'all know I'm a bird brain person.
In my experience, no matter how wonderful dogs or cats are, or how close we can be to them, a parrot is much much more of a somewhat-human-like companion than a pet.

IMO parrots usually make poor "pets", but can make excellent companions.
If someone wants what we think of as a pet, a parrot is a horrible choice.
But the problem is not the parrot.
The problem is what a pet nearly always means to a human.
People have expectations on how a pet should be ... as in what is a good pet and what is a bad pet.

I think deciding whether to get a parrot is actually similar to deciding whether to have a child, a complicated, challenging, and huge commitment that will alter one's life substantially and for the long term (much longer than the lifespan of a dog or cat).
That is very different from the typical perception of a "pet".

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Animal lover here but I’m a dog Mumma through and through.

They’re all I’ve ever known and I’m a bit of a tiger mum during the puppy years so dogs suit me very well. I don’t think cats are trainable based on all the memes I’ve seen???

She’s passed away now but she was so clever and probably wasted on me. She’s taught me a great lesson about love. I loved her so much.

 

[missy]

Thanks Kenny and mellowyellow. I love all animals including birds.

The worst thing about having animals in your family is they don’t live long enough. I know some birds can outlive humans. Also a potential problem. I wish our furry babies could live longer


Anyone care to share photos of any of your furry babies. Doesn’t have to be a cat or dog. All furry babies welcome

 

[tyty333]

Definitely a cat person...I'm an introvert so more like a cat. I can appreciate dogs (well, all pets). I just don't want to own one
and have to take care of one.

 

[empliau]

My babies (smaller girl in surgical suit after spay)

 

[Matata]

I voted both but haven't had a dog for a very long time. Back in the day I shared my life with 2 of each. When I retired I thought about getting an older dog but daily walks and poop patrol made me hesitate. Then I accidentally found out about Savannah cats who have some similar behavioral traits of dogs so it was the perfect solution for me. I still miss having a dog but I'm able to get a pooch fix from friends and neighbors whenever I need. It's kinda like being a grandma -- I get to play with them, love on them, spoil them and give them back -- all the fun, none of the responsibility

 

[stracci2000]

I love all animals, but I am a total cat person.
This is Miso, he's 15 and still healthy and active.

 

[pearlsngems]

Cat. I've had various cats in my life but never dogs.
I like dogs but don't want to own one.

 

[Lookinagain]

I am definitely a dog person. Have had dogs all my life. Can't imagine not having one in the family. I didn't answer the question because my dog doesn't drool.

 

[Demon]

I like them both, but dogs win in the end.

 

[dk168]

Can't choose between the two and I have one of each.

DK

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Couldn't choose either. Love them equally. And hamsters.

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

I voted both but haven't had a dog for a very long time. Back in the day I shared my life with 2 of each. When I retired I thought about getting an older dog but daily walks and poop patrol made me hesitate. Then I accidentally found out about Savannah cats who have some similar behavioral traits of dogs so it was the perfect solution for me. I still miss having a dog but I'm able to get a pooch fix from friends and neighbors whenever I need. It's kinda like being a grandma -- I get to play with them, love on them, spoil them and give them back -- all the fun, none of the responsibility

This pretty much was our thinking too. We are out of the house a lot so it wouldn't be fair to a dog and it is a lot of work. So we get our doggy fix from our friends and neighbors who are more than happy to oblige

Your Savannah cats are beautiful. And majestic.

Can't choose between the two and I have one of each.

DK

Lucky you!

I love all animals, but I am a total cat person.
This is Miso, he's 15 and still healthy and active.

Aww Miso is a LOVE

I am definitely a dog person. Have had dogs all my life. Can't imagine not having one in the family. I didn't answer the question because my dog doesn't drool.

Haha that was from a ditty I had seen on "Burn Notice"
Cats rule, dogs drool, but I forgot the rest
Your dog is gorgeous

HI:

Couldn't choose either. Love them equally. And hamsters.

cheers--Sharon

OMG me too. Love hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. GP are the only rodents with lips...did you know that?
Me with Casey...my very first guinea pig

I like them both, but dogs win in the end.

I think dogs are more popular than cats in the USA but I am not sure about that statistic. Could be outdated or just wrong

Cat. I've had various cats in my life but never dogs.
I like dogs but don't want to own one.

I think a lot of people feel that way. It's more responsibility and one of the reasons we do not have any dogs right now
I really love cats. I like that they are not pushovers and I enjoy the challenge lol

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

@missy , no I didn't. LOL We had all those rodies growing up--I don't know how my Mother put up with it!

I love these guys also, https://www.savacations.com/ten-interesting-facts-capybara-worlds-largest-rodent/

Went to the Zoo with my Mom and she fell in love with the capybaras. She said to them "Hi Rodie" we all howled.

cheers--Sharon

 

[MissGotRocks]

I'm more a dog person than cat person.

The only time I lived with a cat was childhood, only because my sister always had to have one.
I really loved our little doggies, Kizzy and Yaya.



But as y'all know I'm a bird brain person.
In my experience, no matter how wonderful dogs or cats are, or how close we can be to them, a parrot is much much more of a somewhat-human-like companion than a pet.

IMO parrots usually make poor "pets", but can make excellent companions.
If someone wants what we think of as a pet, a parrot is a horrible choice.
But the problem is not the parrot.
The problem is what a pet nearly always means to a human.
People have expectations on how a pet should be ... as in what is a good pet and what is a bad pet.

I think deciding whether to get a parrot is actually similar to deciding whether to have a child, a complicated, challenging, and huge commitment that will alter one's life substantially and for the long term (much longer than the lifespan of a dog or cat).
That is very different from the typical perception of a "pet".

Kizzy and Yaya were so cute!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I am a dog person and have never owned a cat. I have also only had small dogs - poodle and Yorkies. These little companion pets have meant so much to me through the years - definitely leave paw prints on your heart!

 

[missy]

HI:

@missy , no I didn't. LOL We had all those rodies growing up--I don't know how my Mother put up with it!

I love these guys also, https://www.savacations.com/ten-interesting-facts-capybara-worlds-largest-rodent/

Went to the Zoo with my Mom and she fell in love with the capybaras. She said to them "Hi Rodie" we all howled.

cheers--Sharon

Omg yes. I’m in love with the Capybara

Do you know the capybara song?

View this content on Instagram

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[canuk-gal]

Omg yes. I’m in love with the Capybara

Do you know the capybara song?

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Very white teeth! I want one.

 

[Lookinagain]

I am a dog person and have never owned a cat. I have also only had small dogs - poodle and Yorkies. These little companion pets have meant so much to me through the years - definitely leave paw prints on your heart!

We always had Yorkies or miniature poodles when I was growing up. As an adult I’ve always had Boston Terriers. I think when you find a breed that suits you, you tend to stick with it when you can. My current Boston is a rescue so I was very lucky to be allowed to adopt him.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I love all animals, but I am a total cat person.
This is Miso, he's 15 and still healthy and active.

He could be Fluffy's American brother
if i remember i'll post a pic after work, i have to run for the bus, working on my day off

 

[CMN]

My family - I love animals

 

[canuk-gal]

We always had Yorkies or miniature poodles when I was growing up. As an adult I’ve always had Boston Terriers. I think when you find a breed that suits you, you tend to stick with it when you can. My current Boston is a rescue so I was very lucky to be allowed to adopt him.

My one sister has always had Boston's. Her current pooch is a therapy dog--so cute and well suited for that task.

 

[canuk-gal]

My family - I love animals

That is the COOLEST cat chair I've ever seen!

 

[OboeGal]

I adore them both - and all animals, really - and have been blessed to share my adult life with both, but if pressed, I will admit to being just a smidge more of a dog person. But I like having both in our home - they bring such different energies. The dogs are like beloved children, while the cats are more like adult roommates, some of whom are more aloof and independent, while others are close buddies.

@Lookinagain, I agree that one can find a breed that is just "right." For me, that is rough collies. They have the intelligence and the sweeter, gentler qualities of the herding breeds, but have less of the work drive that requires tons of dog sports or a real job that border collies and aussies and Belgian shepherds need (because they were created by crossing the ancestors of border collies with borzois (Russian wolfhounds)). And they're stunningly gorgeous to boot!

My husband is in love with huskies, but even he had to admit that their temperament and needs are totally wrong for us, and that collies are the right fit. Although as we age, we just might have to downsize to shelties......

 

[seafarm]

I prefer cats, but we have had both.
We lost our Spitz a few years ago due to old age, the cats loved him.

 

[foxinsox]

Both but cats have a slight edge as I grew up with Burmese cats. The agents of chaos have definitely converted me to a lifelong oriental shorthair devotee.
Pics of my little loves Otto, Min, Franklin and Barry.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

foxinsox, those Burmese cats are fabulous! My fingers want to start between the ears and go down to the shoulder blades, just imagining how they feel.

 

[foxinsox]

foxinsox, those Burmese cats are fabulous! My fingers want to start between the ears and go down to the shoulder blades, just imagining how they feel.

These guys are actually Oriental Shorthairs - a more elongated, louder, more extra breed than the comparatively sedate Burmese I grew up with.
They do feel pretty wonderful - Otto (the black one) is a very satisfying pat as he’s a long rangy boy. Min, his grey sister has the softest fur I’ve ever felt over a solidly muscled body.

 

[Ally T]

I voted both. We grew up with lots of cats & I thought I hated dogs. We got 2 cats when our girls were little. Poppy, the black, was an avid hunter & sadly died shortly after we moved into the Vicarage almost 2 years ago. She fell from a really high tree trying to get to a squirrels nest, landing belly down on a chopped tree stump below. She shattered her spine, pelvis & hips. It was horrific. Sparks is a Lilac Point Birman & this year she’ll be 11. She has the most beautiful lilac blue eyes.

In Aug 2023 after we’d moved, we picked up this beautiful bundle of Fox Red Labrador. As I said, I always hated dogs, but I love this dog SO much that it hurts. Her eyes can tell me a story just by looking into them.