Greetings from our Animal/Human Connection and Judy Helm Wright,
As a contributing writer of Quora, I recently submitted the question “Are dogs better than cats?” The question received a number of replies but I liked this one from Christine Gilbert.
What do you think? Do you like cats more than dogs, or the other way around?
Let us know by submitting a post or article to [email protected] with subject line PET STORY.
Which is best dogs or cats? Great points for each and for both. Let us know which you prefer at www.ILovePetStories.com
Christine says, “It depends on what sort of company you’re looking for. If you want active socialization, get a dog. Dogs need their pack; they look to their companions for direction and company. The downside to this is that they NEED their pack. They must be actively engaged with or they often become neurotic.
Certain breeds need very intensive interaction.
Huskies, shepherds, and other working breeds need jobs to do and can be very destructive of they don’t have one.
If you prefer passive socialization, cats are better. While most of them can be trained to some extent, they don’t need the intensive training that dogs do. They keep themselves clean, and can generally entertain themselves for hours at a time. They miss you when you’re gone but don’t mind if you leave. They’ll demand affection on their own terms, and often prefer to simply be near the person they like best, hanging out on the back of a chair or on the other end of a couch.
However, cats, especially cats kept indoors, need a lot of mental stimulation. Puzzles for treats, toys they can chase, interesting things to watch. A cat without stimulation is basically a lump. And while most are trainable to an extent, the techniques required are different than you would use for a dog.
A cat must have a concrete reward for its efforts; dogs are often satisfied with praise. Cats also react to stimuli more unpredictably, and their body language is harder for many to read. This can lead to unexpected bites and scratches from otherwise placid animals.
Also, their small size and innate curiosity can get them into trouble, so be prepared to pull them out of vents and coax then from high places.”
Like many of the families we work with at Animal Human Connection, many have both. Be sure to leave a comment below or write to us at [email protected]
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