Cats and Dogs: Differences In Cats & Dogs

Pets are often different; ask anyone that has both a cat and a dog or plural of them. Their attitudes and mannerisms are dissimiliar, as are their basic ways. How so? To understand dogs and cats, please read on.

Dogs are people-friendly, cats are generally NOT. A dog is thankful that you feed and pet him, and actually appreciates being taken care of hourly. Even if you do not properly feed or care for your dog, he's glad you are his owner. A cat is not this way at all. No, cats think and behave much differently.

Cats know that you need them. Indeed, a cat understands it's abstract value, and your need to love and care for something - IT in particular. Each domesticated cat uses psychology and human vulnerability (and the Human Condition) to their advantages naturally.

Cats also seem to comprehend the fact that you pay money to buy and feed and care for them, so they must be worth a lot to you and the family. From their standpoint, YOU OWE THE CATS for allowing you to love and play and do things for them. This is the absolute truth. They exploit this need of humans to the max.

When you approach a dog that is familiar with you, he or she immediately gets comfortable (whether standing or sitting or laying) so that you can pet or love on it - or just speak with the animal. Even if you or it is busy, the dog relaxes "just in case." The pet HOPES you have time for it!!

On the other hand, the moment most people (except truly incredible owners) start petting or loving on a cat, the feline is already looking for an escape route - UNLESS he or she sees a bonus coming its way for its patience with you. Cats value their time, even if just for sleeping in a corner alone! You must pay to infringe upon it.

Though males and females each often like dogs and cats both, guys seem to favor dogs ("Man's Best friend"), whereas gals tend to go for cats. Why? It is a matter of both gender and practicality.

A guy likes the idea of the pet tagging-along and appreciating him, and being his sort of animal "helpmate." In addition, we males tend to be a lil lazy, and don't like to spend excess time dealing with the upkeep of our pets. 

Dogs can often stay outside, even if they are little - thus alleviating the need to clean up their "going to the bathroom." Also, you just fill the big food bowl up every few days and they are set - and sometimes water is not even required if there is a creek nearby!


To the contrary, truly tamed cats need to be indoors most of the time for their own good, and protection. They act like feminine creatures. This necessitates a litter box, and extra cleaning and sanitary duties daily. 

Girls do not mind this extra work; guys hate it. Therefore cats are usually the favorite pet of females. (Obviously, some guys adore cats, and girls love dogs - there are no absolutes.) Females often are attracted to the fact that cats act much like themselves personality-wise! They see themselves, or how they would like to be, in their finicky and pampered cats.

For my part, I was always a dog man, until haveing roomates with cats. Now I am still predominately a dog guy, but also love cats - and share a pet cat with my female companion. "Jimeny" is the gray Russian Blue seen in the photograph above!

Jimmy Hall is a professional writer and writes resumes, business plans, web content, and other types of business-related written copy, and personal projects such as obits, papers, and letters (404-580-1501).