by Selina J

Created on: June 01, 2008

Dogs and cats both make wonderful pets - though for each species, it really depends on the specific dog or cat that you end up with. You could unknowingly choose a pet - whether a cat or a dog - from the shallow end of the gene pool, or you could be fortunate and end up with a pet you naturally click with (which one would assume would be of a more intelligent nature!).

In the course of my life I have had a total of five cats and two dogs. While I have adored them all, each of the two dogs I have had became like an extension of myself. The first dog was my childhood pet, and he was the one that heard all about how mean my mom or sister was being, how my teacher was stupid, and how my friends were doing things I didn't agree with. He slept with me in my bed and he let me dress him up. I really felt like he was there for me at times when I had no one else. The cat couldn't have cared less about what I was doing! My second (and current) dog truly understands me - at times, I swear he understands me better than my own husband! He knows when I am upset and he should leave me alone. He knows when I need someone to "talk" to. I honestly enjoy taking care of him by taking him for walks, which benefits me as well.

Out of the cats I have had, two of the five stand out - but only because they have exhibited "dog-like" qualities. One of them would rarely use the litter box, instead, he would go outside. He actually stalks and attacks my dog, and sits at the front window and hisses at people when they walk by as if he is a guard cat. He is adventurous and responds to us when we talk to him. The other three cats just didn't seem very intelligent. Our female cat only cares about food. If it's not feeding time, we don't really see her. I have also had a very skittish cat who hid a lot.

And while I enjoy the cuddliness (on their terms though) and independence of cats, especially when we go away for a weekend trip, I am not fond of them walking all over me when I sleep, stepping on my computer keyboard, jumping up on my counter tops, clawing my furniture, scurrying around the house at night, waking up our kids, etc. These are problems that have never been an issue with the dogs I have had.

In conclusion, I honestly feel that the specific animal you end up with determines whether you feel a dog or a cat makes a better pet. When I break my experience down to numbers, dogs are number one.

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