This strikes me as a common misconception. A cat’s affections are more difficult to earn than a dog’s and they regularly have only a few people they legitimately attach to. Cats must be approached on their own terms, to connect with one you must adapt your behaviours to it. Dogs however have pack instinct and adapt to what norms humans set. They want affection as one of their primary needs and they will compromise their own behaviours to learn and assimilate. Dogs basically are much harder to fail attaching to.
It doesn’t surprise me that most groups whose needs are not often centered in society that favors the comfort of cis, straight men and require understanding on their own terms to flourish because they often comprise on their own needs to assimilate to get by… Enjoy the company of critters whom must be approached on their own terms to flourish and refuse to compromise because they have no need.
You only really understand cats once you become part of one’s true inner circle. They become incredibly attached, loyal and work to understand you back. Like if your cat keeps bothering you at your computer and messing with your keyboard one solve is to give them their own keyboard because what they really want is to mirror your behaviour and do what you are doing even if they don’t quite get the appeal.
I like both but it took me awhile to understand the appeal of cats because when they are around outsiders they avoid PDAs with their owners and some owner and cat combos just never unlock that affection at all.
Cats are not a monolith. They have a wide range of personalities and emotions. I have a cat that is very emotionally needy, not very unlike many dogs. He needs attention and pets and lap time.
As a cat person I agree. That’s why I have cats, they’re simply simpler. I let them outside when they want to go out, then they may come back a few minutes later or a few days later (adopted a former stray cat and she still loves longer walks when the weather is nice). I feed them and clean their litter box.
When I’m not at home for a weekend and it’s not winter I put a lot of food there and they’re fine (usually outside since they prefer that). When I’m away for longer, or in the winter, I ask one of my neighbours to look after them every other day. When they are gone and I’m at home I do that for them too of course.
In return I get to see how happy they are and get to cuddle them. In the evening they come in my bed, loudly purring of course. When it’s cold in the winter they jump on my lap.
A dog is much closer to a child than a cat. A cat is closer to a goldfish than a child.
They don’t really compete in my opinion, they are totally different class of animal when it comes to maintenance and effort needed to keep them happy.
I’d also argue than the bond you can develop with a dog is far greater and deeper than a cat, but that’s more subjective.
This strikes me as a common misconception. A cat’s affections are more difficult to earn than a dog’s and they regularly have only a few people they legitimately attach to. Cats must be approached on their own terms, to connect with one you must adapt your behaviours to it. Dogs however have pack instinct and adapt to what norms humans set. They want affection as one of their primary needs and they will compromise their own behaviours to learn and assimilate. Dogs basically are much harder to fail attaching to.
It doesn’t surprise me that most groups whose needs are not often centered in society that favors the comfort of cis, straight men and require understanding on their own terms to flourish because they often comprise on their own needs to assimilate to get by… Enjoy the company of critters whom must be approached on their own terms to flourish and refuse to compromise because they have no need.
You only really understand cats once you become part of one’s true inner circle. They become incredibly attached, loyal and work to understand you back. Like if your cat keeps bothering you at your computer and messing with your keyboard one solve is to give them their own keyboard because what they really want is to mirror your behaviour and do what you are doing even if they don’t quite get the appeal.
I like both but it took me awhile to understand the appeal of cats because when they are around outsiders they avoid PDAs with their owners and some owner and cat combos just never unlock that affection at all.
Found a dog person
Cats are not a monolith. They have a wide range of personalities and emotions. I have a cat that is very emotionally needy, not very unlike many dogs. He needs attention and pets and lap time.
As a cat person I agree. That’s why I have cats, they’re simply simpler. I let them outside when they want to go out, then they may come back a few minutes later or a few days later (adopted a former stray cat and she still loves longer walks when the weather is nice). I feed them and clean their litter box.
When I’m not at home for a weekend and it’s not winter I put a lot of food there and they’re fine (usually outside since they prefer that). When I’m away for longer, or in the winter, I ask one of my neighbours to look after them every other day. When they are gone and I’m at home I do that for them too of course.
In return I get to see how happy they are and get to cuddle them. In the evening they come in my bed, loudly purring of course. When it’s cold in the winter they jump on my lap.
Comparatively low effort for a high reward :)
Yep totally fair. Both animals have their pros and cons, I just don’t like people pitting them against each other.