DOGS
Have you ever wondered why dogs are called “man’s best friend,” but cats have nothing like that? Or why the percentage of households in the U.S. that own dogs (45.5%) is higher than those who own cats (32.1%)? Well don’t worry, I’m here to solve those inner qualms you may have — to put it very simply, dogs are better than cats.
I grew up with both animals in my household. On a personal level, I believe dogs are better than cats because of their size, affection and energy. If I was in trouble, for example, I knew I could count on my Australian Shepherd, Gretzky, to keep me safe. Sammy the black cat, however, would not be able to fight someone off.
In my experience, dogs have also always been more willing to play, cuddle and go on adventures. If I threw a ball across the house, my late black lab mix Shea would chase it in an instant, whereas Max the tabby cat would just stay put. My current dog, Indiana, loves to sleep on my legs; but Sassy, another black cat, only ever wanted to sleep alone and untouched. Let’s also just state the obvious — you can take dogs on walks or to dog parks! While I have seen people put their cats on leashes, it’s not common.
On a scientific level, it has been proven that dogs have more of an impact on their owners. A survey conducted by Mars Petcare found that “dogs are much more likely to improve their owners’ lives through exercise than cats,” with a whopping difference of 45% compared to 8%.
Dogs can also play vital roles in society, whether it be through law enforcement work, military service or being seeing-eye dogs. I could write pages upon pages on famous working dogs, but I can’t think of one famous working cat off the top of my head.
I do think cats are cute, don’t get it twisted — but dogs are the top choice of pet without a doubt for a multitude of reasons. After all, that is why they are deemed “man’s best friend.”
ajones11@ramapo.edu
CATS
What’s better than a rainy Sunday spent indoors, bundled up with a blanket, a good book open or your favorite TV show on and a cat purring in your lap? It’s having to pull on your raincoat and rubber boots to take your dog on a walk in the downpour because it has to go to the bathroom — yes, my ideal Sunday.
I hope my sarcasm is apparent, as someone who has owned both cats and dogs and loved their pets dearly, these scenarios are very real for cat and dog owners. The cat-versus-dog debate is age-old, however, there is one clear winner: cats.
One of the great things about having a cat as a pet is that they are relatively low maintenance and independent, making them convenient for busy pet owners. There are no early 5 a.m. walks in freezing weather, chaotic bath times or loud barking at all hours of the night. Cats are also able to live inside and outside of the home and handle themselves among their stray feline friends.
I don’t want to portray cat ownership as “lazy” because of a cat’s low-maintenance lifestyle. They do require immense love and attention like any animal — and of course to be fed. However, their lifestyle leaves room for their owners to spend time outside of the house without worrying about their pets needs or that they are under occupied. For a cat, fresh food, a clean litter box and a sundrenched window make for an exciting day.
In addition to being low maintenance and independent, cats are also considerably cheaper to own than dogs. According to an article published by Vision Federal Credit Union, “Dogs are more expensive to adopt, buy, and care for, because – contrary to the stereotypical image of cats being primped and spoiled – cats don’t require nearly as much maintenance or as many resources as dogs do.”
If you’re in the market for a new furry friend, I would definitely recommend considering meeting some adoptable cats before you venture into the world of dogs.
jhammer@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Amanda Jones
