The Age-Old Question:Dogs vs. Cats

Blake Brenek, J1 Guest Writer

the Age-Old Question:Dogs vs. Cats
by Blake Brenek

The most universally debated question around the globe: do you like dogs or cats better? It seems that the most popular answer is dogs because they aren’t as “lazy” and you can “do things with them.” Personally, I don’t lean one way or the other. I have two cats and a dog at home and I love them all equally. Yes I do enjoy throwing the ball with my dog and taking her for walks, cats are just as entertaining and enjoyable as a dog can be.
Historically, dogs have been more of what people would think as a companion. Humans domesticated dogs by giving them food scraps and water so the dogs would stay with them for protection and companionship. Cats were domesticated in a similar way, they just don’t provide as much loyalty or protection.
Another argument is that dogs contribute to society, while cats don’t, which is very true. There are dogs all around the world that get up in the morning and have jobs to do. For example, there are police dogs, service dogs, emotional support dogs, etc. You will never see a cat do any of these jobs that a dog will. Dogs have proven over history and in today’s society that they can be very useful in daily life. Dog owners have trained their dogs to retrieve the newspaper from outside, get them drinks from their refrigerator, and alert someone if they get hurt. Cats have a very independent personality. Cats tend to lay where they want and go where they want whenever they want. This results in cats being almost untrainable outside of using the litter box and basic things similar to that.
Another argument is that dogs are healthier to have. Most dogs require some type of daily or bidaily exercise. This results in their owners having to go for walks with them and be outside more than they would if they didn’t have a dog. Cats do not require any exercise and you never have to walk your cat or throw the ball with them. Also, dogs have been scientifically proven to be medically beneficial. Playing with a dog releases dopamine and serotonin, which are the two “happy” chemicals in your brain. This is why one of the at-home remedies that doctors recommend when you have a concussion is playing with your dog.

A major benefit of owning a cat is how low-maintenance they are. Many people claim that they’re too busy to have a pet but they’d love to have that companionship. Cats are the perfect fit for these types of people because they require almost zero attention. The only thing cats require are food, water, shelter, and a clean litter box. Dogs, on the other hand, require you to pick up their poop, feed them multiple times a day, train them, walk them, and give them attention for hours a day.
The debate between dogs and cats will likely never end. Both offer so many pros and neither have many cons. Whatever you choose can depend on your personality, your career, your schedule, etc. there will never be a right answer to this debate because ultimately, there is no wrong answer.