Casual Conversation

I would take a cat over a dog any day, as I'm not a fan of pets that are clingy or constantly seek approval. I get the appeal of a bundle of energy that just want you to love/be proud of it, but it's not my vibe.

I would also rather scoop a box indoors than carry warm bags of feces outside, and I spend as little time as possible outdoors once it's below -30.

Cats. When you earn their affection you feel like you’ve really earned it, as opposed to a dog who just loves everyone.

I'm an animal person. The only animals I don't really care for are humans.

Dog, I want a companion who will reliably behave a certain way (with training, reinforcement, and boundary respect of course), who can join me hiking and trail running.

Yes I've seen cats carried to accompany, but I want my buddy working too, and we do about 10-20 mile days

I'm a robo-dog person. I like Spot.

Cat! Because they are more easily picked up, will let me know very quick when they need something, but will also do their own thing.

I've also had a dog! He was good! We just don't have the space for a dog currently. The cats are much more laid back and hate the concept of the outside.

I'm an animal person. We've had cats, dogs, birds, mice, hamsters, a house rabbit, and a snake. It's cool to interact with other kinds of minds, and they all have pros and cons as pets.

It seems like a lot of people who are firmly in one camp or another really insist that animals interact in a particular way. Sometimes that's just because their lifestyle doesn't allow for a different way (e.g., "I don't like dogs because they're too needy and I can't handle that level of responsibility right now"), but it seems like other people just think animals should be a particular way, and that leaves me cold.

Why is this always an either/or question?

Most people really just want a companion of some sort, and are perfectly happy with any animal that fits their specific life arrangements. It isn't even cats and dogs as a limiting factor because there are other animals that can be companions, they just night not be practical/legal everywhere; with the added caveat that not all of those animals should be kept by humans at all.

Do you know how many people have both cats and dogs? The numbers are hard to dig up, but you'd be looking at around a quarter of all pet "owning" households have both cats and dogs. I've never found reliable info on other types of pets in combined animal households, but I've seen plenty where just the companion animals included a bird or birds as well as cats and dogs. I've even known a few people with less traditional companion animals alongside those. Pigs can be great companions, and then there's the more exotic stuff like skunks and foxes bred pets. I personally think those fall into the "shouldnt" category, but they exist.

Each type has benefits and drawbacks on a practical level, obviously. But in terms of the ability to be companions, dogs and cats do it differently, but they both do it very well. Equally well, imo.

Now, I'm better with dogs. I can read their language easily, and that's a huge plus in terms of compatibility since dogs need more training than cats if they're going to leave your property. And, frankly, that's where dogs as a group are superior to cats, they're better at traveling with you. But I love them both as groups. Hell, I love my damn chickens that we have now, I'm one of those people that just loves the company of animals. But I've had cats and dogs, at the same time and separately.

If I could do the work necessary to take care of a cat or dog, I'd have both again. I miss my cats, and my dogs, every damn day. But one of the reasons we ended up with chickens is that I can do the work they need on a regular basis.

I grew up with cats, and I honestly find interacting with dogs really difficult.

Say I'm at a friend's place, and their cat comes up to me. I hold my hand in front of them, they sniff a bit, and they'll either allow me to pet them or walk away.

Compare that to when a dog comes up to me - no matter what I do, they'll lick my hand. No matter if I just hold it in front of me for unrelated reasons, or if I try to pet their head, they'll try to lick me.

And that's not to mention barking - there are a couple of dogs in my neighbourhood that feel the need to bark every day. It's not constant barking or even that long, but it is noticeable compared to normal background noises - and it reaches hundreds of people. It's hard to imagine a cat annoying that many people at once.

Animal person, but i will always have a cat. Right now i have 3 of each and it's A LOT, especially when they don't get along.

Dog, because I'm allergic to cats. I also really like cats.

Cats and dogs all have different personalities. I've known cats that act bouncy and crave attention, who want to be inside, who wants to be outside, those who want both all the time and at the same time. I've also known smelly dirty cats who do not care where they go to the toilet or vomit. And I've known dogs who are like big lazy lions, and also neurotic little demons, some who are fastidious about their hygiene and others who get so excited they can't hold their bladder.

I like both, and I'd have either, but I like a cat or dog who is clean, chill, intelligent and likes adventures as well as napping. Bonus if they don't like other people much. Greyhounds are the fastest couch potatoes out there.

Yes. Yes I am. I'm also a ferret person. And a corvid person (though I'd never try to make one of those a pet; I do befriend them though).

Both, usually lean more toward cats.

Ferrets are great, lots of work.

But ultimately I'm all about chinchillas.

Seriously... Obsessive. It's an illness.... Just.. one.. more!

Dog! They spoon you while we sleep. And they always love you. I like cats too but they are less attached. Also I am allergic.

I think they both taste great!

I’ve been a dog person my whole life. I always felt that cats were pets that stayed hidden, and only proved their existence through poop you had to clean from a bucket.

However, living with two high-energy dogs while also raising two young kids has made me see that perhaps cats aren’t so bad. I’m currently undecided on my loyalties.

Disclaimer: I would never get rid of my dogs, and, at the end of the day, I love them. Just saying I now see the appeal of cats.

Dog person, because they give more options.

¿Por qué no los dos?

I am currently a dog person because I have a dog and for a while had two.

But I am a cat person because I have had four cats in my lifetime.

Dogs are more difficult, but I also love my furniture so I am probably sticking with dogs for a while.

Dog person. I guess I like honesty and enthusiasm, and knowing exactly what they like and want. I have a rescue mutt and one of my criteria was "nothing smarter than me". I like cats too but they're too aloof and temperamental for me. My dog wants two things in life: walkies and scratches, and she'll never say no to either.

both because I'm not a psychopath

Right now I’m a fish person due to a lack of space, free time, and energy. Have had both cats and dogs and have loved them to pieces but I’m happy to play puppy and kitty uncle for a while