Cats and dogs are two of the most common types of pets, and preferring one to another can arguably tell many things about a person. While the question about choosing to have a cat or a dog may seem trivial and insignificant to many people, it can actually indicate a number of important personality traits. While we often tend to argue about one of these kinds of pets being better than another, we do not ask ourselves what these preferences actually say about us. So, before labelling this question as meaningless and frivolous, you might want to ask yourself once again: “Am I a cat or dog person?”
To understand the ramifications of this question, it is first worth comparing and contrasting these two types of pets, taking several aspects into account. The first factor is the comfort and support they provide to their owners. While dogs are usually active and energetic in showing their love and devotion, cats are much more subtle and gentle. Cats may often not even be explicit in demonstrating their affection, which, for many people, creates a misconception that they are not affectionate at all. Being annoyed with the ways cats and dogs show affection can say something about one’s personality. For example, dogs’ ways of showing affection by jumping and licking a person may be considered extremely annoying by some people who are naturally calm and do not like having their personal space violated. At the same time, cats’ indifferent manner of interacting with humans may be considered cold and arrogant by some people, which can make them feel inferior; and no one likes feeling inferior to a cat.
Another aspect that could be discussed to compare and contrast cats and dogs is their usefulness. In relation to how helpful pets are for people, dogs have probably managed to beat their rivals. Commonly considered to be ‘a man’s best friend’, dogs are known for their loyalty and devotion. There are several types of service dogs, such as hearing, guide, and mobility dogs, that help people with various disabilities. Other examples include search and rescue dogs, sniffer dogs, and dogs used in pet-assisted therapy. Although it may seem more challenging to list as many ways in which cats help humans, there is still a number of important ones. For example, they can help people who have mental health problems by calming them, offering companionship, and reducing stress.
The third aspect that can be considered to compare and contrast dogs is their needs. Before getting a pet, people often ask themselves how difficult it will be to take care of it. For example, apart from their basic needs, like food and water, dogs require plenty of exercise and socialization. Owners have to walk with their dogs regularly and develop specific exercise routines. Cats, on the other hand, are often much less social than dogs, and require less attention. Consequently, the same should be reflected in their owners: calm and more introverted people may prefer cats.
It can be concluded that cats and dogs have similarities and differences. While dogs are affectionate and energetic, cats are usually calm. Both cats and dogs, however, are used in therapy and treatments. Finally, taking care of these pets also differs: dogs require more of their owners’ time to walk with them and socialize. Cats, on the other hand, are not as emotionally dependent. Thus, preferring cats or dogs can say a lot about one’s personality, such as being affectionate or reserved, extraverted or introverted, active or calm.