Dogs or cats? Let's have a heavenly argument! 😇

BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
This was a tangent on another thread.

So - which are better in every way, dogs or cats?

No @Gamma Gamaliel - style 'both/and' allowed! 😂
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Comments

  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Cats of course.

    Dogs are too malleable. When did you last hear of a 130 lb domestic cat capable of killing someone? Or packs of cats turning on animals or people?
  • North East QuineNorth East Quine Purgatory Host
    Cats. I've never had a dog, but it has always seemed as though a cat is more of an equal.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Cats. Not sure why this is in dispute.
  • NicoleMRNicoleMR Shipmate
    Cats of course.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    I have two dogs and they are perfect (in my eyes!)

    Ted, the Cavapoo provides all the fun and Tatze, the Labrador provides all the cuddles.

    Mr Boogs dislikes cats so we've only ever had one cat which I sneaked in. She had one kitten, which Mr Boogs loved. I foolishly rehomed him. (The kitten, not Mr Boogs!) or he'd be a cat person now, I think. But we had two little boys, a dog, a cat and a rabbit - so to add a kitten seemed too much at the time.

    If I were forced to choose I'd choose dogs. I love my long dog walks every morning. 🐾🙂
  • Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
    Where's @Cathscats ??
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    edited March 23
    Voles aren't known for their love of cats! 😂

    This is very true -
    RockyRoger wrote: »
    because you feed them, dogs think you are God; because you feed them, cats think they are god.

  • Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    Voles aren't known for their love of cats! 😂

    This is very true -
    RockyRoger wrote: »
    Tangent alert:
    because you feed them, dogs think you are God; because you feed them, cats think they are god.

    😂
  • SparrowSparrow Shipmate
    Both.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    Sparrow wrote: »
    Both.

    My Ted is a terror for chasing cats, I'm not sure both would work here. 🤔
  • Cats are marvellous, if one has one. Otherwise, their tendency to turn garden beds into latrines can made gardeners feel felicidal. I know whereof I speak.
  • RockyRogerRockyRoger Shipmate
    I’ve loved beings of the feline persuasion all my life and been privileged to share my home with many. Dog owners of course don’t understand this, but I have a problem with their sloppiness, smelliness and inability to deal with poo. I’m usually, though, quite fond of their dogs.
  • SparrowSparrow Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    Sparrow wrote: »
    Both.

    My Ted is a terror for chasing cats, I'm not sure both would work here. 🤔

    I've had cats and dogs at the same time that got along perfectly, playing together and curling up together in front of the fire.
  • HeavenlyannieHeavenlyannie Shipmate
    edited March 23
    Cats. My rescue cat, Mochi, has so much personality. She manages to be fragile, clingy and traumatised, while also being condescending and demanding.
    And she is very skilled; she climbs trees like a monkey, falls out of them like a stone, and then twists and lands on her feet like a gymnast.
  • Cats are marvellous, if one has one. Otherwise, their tendency to turn garden beds into latrines can made gardeners feel felicidal. I know whereof I speak.
    Me when I find a cat has crapped in my garden
  • On the other hand, I don't believe dogs ever featured in an episode of The Avengers
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    No @Gamma Gamaliel - style 'both/and' allowed! 😂
    Then I’m afraid you have preemptively eliminated the correct answer. :wink:

    I was firmly and unalterably Team Canine into my mid-40s, or so I thought. Then a cat came to live with us. I am now convinced that both a dog and a cat are necessary for harmonic balance in the home.

    We were at the stage of no animals in the house, our children being in positions to take the animals we were “boarding” for them. We have begun to remedy the situation; a month ago, a 4- or 5-month old kitten cake to live with us. We figure we’ll let him get settled and then have our summer in the mountains, and then get a dog in the fall. Then all will be right again.

    In the meantime, it turns out the kitten loves to play Fetch.

  • I used to have a cat that played fetch, you could ping small balls of aluminium foil across the room and it would run and get them and bring them back.
  • CathscatsCathscats Shipmate
    Merry Vole wrote: »
    Where's @Cathscats ??

    Here, but was not intending to post. It doesn’t seem worth arguing about. (But glad to see so many cat people…)
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    Voles aren't known for their love of cats! 😂



    Indeed. Ours had a deceased vole in its mouth this morning. Short tailed rather than water.
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    I like cats but, unfortunately, like many of my family, I am allergic to them. So we have a Westie. :smile:
  • RockyRogerRockyRoger Shipmate
    BroJames wrote: »
    I like cats but, unfortunately, like many of my family, I am allergic to them. So we have a Westie. :smile:

    just beautiful!
  • Well I'm sitting here reading this with one of my two cats curled up on my lap, so what did you think ?! 😉
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    @Heavenlyannie , our first cat was a Siamese. called Garfield (Santisuk Wing Mah - Happiness comes running) then Oliver then a series. Of Abyssinian’s - Mordecai (Djenoun Mordred), Jasper, Phibby and Sibby , Safadin a British Shorthair called Amber, then Gwenny(Gwennllan) who was killed by a dog, and now Solomon and Annie (Arianwen.
    Darllenwr’s family had wire haired dachshunds, so he is really more a dog person but has come round to cats!
  • Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
    Pussy will rub my knees with her head
    Pretending she loves me hard
    But the very minute I go to my bed
    Pussy runs out in the yard
    And there she stays till the morning-light
    So I know it is only pretend
    But Binkie, he snores at my feet all night,
    And he is my Firstest Friend!

    Rudyard Kipling
  • MarsupialMarsupial Shipmate
    Cats. My rescue cat, Mochi, has so much personality. She manages to be fragile, clingy and traumatised, while also being condescending and demanding.
    And she is very skilled; she climbs trees like a monkey, falls out of them like a stone, and then twists and lands on her feet like a gymnast.

    She reminds me a little of our calico. Her first instinct in every new situation is to hide, and it’s impossible to hold her for more than 10 seconds (let alone pick her up) unless you’re a professional. But she also demands her morning and evening scritches and is extremely adept at stealing sushi from the table when no one is looking. She can be quite cuddly when she thinks she is safe which is ideally when the human is lying down (or at least sitting down). Her brother is much more chill - he is a cat who likes his comforts.

    I grew up with dogs (Samoyeds) and will always be very fond of them. My wife got her first cat shortly before we started dating and we’ve had cats ever since.

  • jedijudyjedijudy Heaven Host
    Oh, cats. Definitely.
    I am one of those cat lovers who is extremely allergic to them! I have been taking allergy injections for almost eight years. They are worth it! I just have grandkitties now, but am glad to have very few dramatic symptoms anymore.

  • Cats.

    I was attacked by a large dog when I was still in diapers and though I don't have any memory of it, the fear and distrust of dogs was hardwired into me that early.

    I know dogs are lovable and beloved by so many, it seems like everyone in Andalucia has one, and many wander about with no permanent address but they are not my cup of tea. And that old saw about "don't trust someone who doesn't like dogs" is just bull.

    Cats, on the other hand, are just little fluff balls of delight. I love how they decide if they want my attention or not. I never take it personally when they ignore me and feel like I was chosen by God when they don't.

    AFF
  • The RogueThe Rogue Shipmate
    Our first pair of cars were totally wonderful but the current two are a lot more hard work. But they’re still worth it.

    I would hate to have responsibility for a dog.
  • Another vote for cats here, they are aloof at times and so amusing at others. The current kitties (2) could not be more different. The fluffy one like to walk on a lead each morning and check out his traps before coming inside to snooze for the day.

    The short haired one is definitely not as smart, but loves a good cuddle first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon as well as recognising the ruffle of the cheese packet and lining up for titbits.

    Sadly two cats of my youth were hit by cars as no one ever thought of containing their pets in the 70's and 80's, our current cats are kept inside and walked on leads to protect local birdlife.

    We have a lot of dog walkers in our area, unfortunately not all bring bags with them for their pooches deposits, which is frustrating to me.

    Cheery husband's favourite cat is one that used to like to ride on his shoulders as he did jobs around the place. My favourite childhood cat was one that liked to have the last half inch of an icecream cone. He always pulled a face as he licked the icecream, but he never refused one if it was offered!
  • I can't vote, how could I vote? I have a dog, and would have a cat if only two of us weren't extremely allergic--we're allergic to the dog, too, but not as severely. So I have to admire my friend's cats instead.
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    Cats! They're self-cleaning, they purr, and you don't have to go outside in all weather at oh dark thirty so they can pee. My current cats are very cuddly and like to cozy up with me on the couch and sleep with me.
  • RockyRogerRockyRoger Shipmate
    So far the vote seems to be in favour of cats ....... perhaps dog lovers/owners get out more?
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Another vote here for cats. We had them when I was a child and I've always loved them.

    I've never felt I understood dogs and since I was bitten by one at the end of last year I've been scared of them.

    Mr Nen doesn't like cats, partly due to his experience of his family owning one when he was a child and they had to don thick gloves in order to put the cat out at night (don't ask me why the cat couldn't have stayed in... :rolleyes:). He did have aspirations about owning a dog if/when we move house until I put a stop to them after the dog-biting incident.

    Nenlet2 and his fiancé, however, own two cats so I do kind of have grandkittens.
  • The RogueThe Rogue Shipmate
    Oldest Rogueling is very nervous around dogs and I wonder how that would have turned out if we had had one at home.
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    Darillenwr reckons he likes cats, but couldn’t eat a whole one😆
  • TubbsTubbs Admin Emeritus, Epiphanies Host
    Cats. They make no pretences about what they're all about and you have to earn their love and respect.
  • Cats because you do not have to walk them, Dogs because they get you off the couch to walk them.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    Cats. Not sure why this is in dispute.

    Cats is clearly the correct answer. I do know a number of friendly examples of the smelly drooling D creature, and they're pleasant enough in an "affectionate idiot" sort of sense, but I wouldn't want to give houseroom to one of the things, and having to guarantee to walk it, to let it out to relieve itself, and all that on a consistent basis is just a chore.
  • Gramps49Gramps49 Shipmate
    Our last dog was wonderful. A pure English Lab. There is a difference between English and American labs. English are bread to be quiet but at the ready to retrieve at the command. American labs are larger and loud. We had Hank for a couple of years when we got our current cat as a kitten. The first night we tried to keep them apart. We put the cat in a bedroom. but she cried into the night. Hank finally nudged the door open and slept with her. They were the closest buddies until he died. We never replaced him.

    Mrs. Gramps grew up with cats. Never had a dog. When we bought a house wit a fenced in back yard, the two oldest kids took it on their own to purchase a dog. Daughter was 18 so she signed the contract. Son was 16 so he named the dog, Romeo. Nancy was surprised at how much personality he had. He thrived on exercise. Two walks a day, but since we had four kids, not that much of a problem. Loved to run--a bit of a downfall with him. If we left the front screen unlocked, he was gone in a flash.

    My hypothesis, considering the vote so far, is that those who have voted for cats today either have never had a dog or are not in a place where they can keep a dog. Our backyard really helped.

    Current cat is bossy. Yells a lot. She is really a tabby, but somewhere in the genes there must have been a Siamese or two. Not my animal. When Mrs Gramps is home Maggie will sleep with her on her side of the bed. When Mrs. Gramps is gone, she will sleep somewhere else in the house. Today, she wanted me to wake up at 0430. It is relatively warm this morning, so she wanted to go outside. But do you think I could get back to sleep?

    I think I will take Mr. Kipling's advise tonight. Supposed to be quite warm. If she wants to go out this evening, she can stay out there until the morn.

    In other words, we have had both. I prefer a dog over a cat.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    ... their tendency to turn garden beds into latrines can made gardeners feel felicidal ...

    My late father would have fitted the "felicidal gardener" description; he kept a pellet gun to scare them off. I have no idea if any of the pellets reached their target ... 😳

    I love other people's dogs, especially if they're West Highland terriers; I can take cats or leave them (although I grew quite fond of the cat whose staff we were when we did a house-sit for some friends in Canada).
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    Piglet wrote: »
    ... their tendency to turn garden beds into latrines can made gardeners feel felicidal ...

    My late father would have fitted the "felicidal gardener" description; he kept a pellet gun to scare them off. I have no idea if any of the pellets reached their target ... 😳

    My dad threw small rocks at cats to drive them off until he discovered that they hunted the gophers who were destroying so many newly planted things.
  • More and more Australian city and shire councils are "grandfathering", ie allowing existing cats to be kept (although often have to be neutered) but banning further ownership. In these places, cats aren't allowed outdoors. They have wrought a most dreadful toll on native wildlife. I post as a cat-lover, having been owned by a few lovely and loving specimens, but I agree with the bans because I'm also a wildlife - especially birds - lover. And it's not fair to keep a cat indoors. Lest you ask, what about rodent control? We have snakes for that.
    Dogs have to be licensed and controlled. They aren't always. Wild dogs attack livestock, but at least most of them (the dogs I mean) are native in the form of dingoes.
    We have a German Shepherd, the great-granddaughter of our last GSD. She's only wild when @Clarence comes home from Uni. And two cockatiels, they go wild if their veg isn't fresh.
  • RuthRuth Shipmate
    The vets I've dealt with all agree that cats should be kept indoors. They ask me every time I take them in for a routine check-up if I keep them in.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Ruth wrote: »
    The vets I've dealt with all agree that cats should be kept indoors. They ask me every time I take them in for a routine check-up if I keep them in.
    It’s pretty common here for cat adoption places, including the SPCA, to refuse to allow anyone to adopt if they won’t agree to keep the cat indoors. The county shelter doesn’t have that policy, though. I suspect they can’t afford to.


  • NicoleMRNicoleMR Shipmate
    It's much better to keep cats indoors.
  • MarsupialMarsupial Shipmate
    Our current cats seem to agree, and have never expressed the slightest interest in being outside. Our previous cat wanted to be outside with us when we were outdoors and we let her out with a harness and tether.
  • The creatures themselves could always hold a debate 🐕 🐈‍⬛ 😊
  • DoublethinkDoublethink Admin, 8th Day Host
    edited March 25
    Vetwise it’s the reverse in the UK, they want to know you’ll let them out, but then the eco system is very different. And wildcats were native to the UK.
  • BoogieBoogie Heaven Host
    Yes, almost every house on our street, except ours, have at least one cat - and they all have cat flaps, coming and going as they please.

    None come in our garden because Ted chases them out. But they say hello to me when I go out at the front without the dogs. Basil - next door's black cat - is my favourite. He's very chatty and loves a fuss. 🐾🙂

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