Cats Vs. Dogs

Many people have a furry friend or two in their family. Some have even more. I have two cats and two dogs, and I love them dearly. Some people consider themselves "cat people" and others consider themselves to be "dog people". There is a common saying, "Dog is a man's best friend." As true as that statement is, dogs are not the only animal friend that people enjoy or consider their best friend. For many people, a cat is their best friend. Contrary to what dog lovers may believe, cats can and do make excellent pets.

Firstly, many people enjoy the companionship of cats just as much as the companionship of dogs. Most cats are very affectionate creatures The same can be true of dogs. They will even crawl onto your lap to snuggle up, request that you pet them, or enjoy a scratch under the chin. I don't know how anyone can resist the cuteness of a purring cat? When they are not in an affectionate mood, cats are still very playful. They love to chase balls, fake mice, or just about anything dangling from a string or even the string itself. They really enjoy playing solo, but like it even more when their owners are playing along with them. Contrary to most peoples' beliefs, cats can be trained. Using a rewards and punishments training routine, just like you would use with a dog, a cat can be trained to stop unwanted behavior and to even perform tricks. Cats can even be trained to fetch!

Secondly, cats are fairly well-behaved household members. Unlike dogs, cats do not bark or make other loud noises. Some cats do not even meow very often. They generally lead a quiet peaceful co-existence with their human counterparts and other furry family friends. Cats usually do not have "accidents". Dogs sometimes may have an accident if not taken outside in time. Shortly after birth, mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box. Most cats will use it faithfully from that time on, unless an illness or injury prevents them from doing so. Stray cats can also understand the concept when shown the litterbox and will use it regularly as well. Cats do have claws, and owners must take this into consideration. A sturdy scratching post and other aides will often keep the cat content to leave the furniture alone. As a last resort, cats can be declawed. Not considered the most humane thing to do, only the front claws are removed in the event a cat escapes from the home and needs to flee up a tree. They will still be able to climb out of harm's way.

Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as house pets is their ease of care. Cats do not have to be taken for a walk several times a day, unlike our canine friends. Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash. They do get a great deal of exercise while running about the house daily, as they play. They use their litter boxes for their bathroom duties, so there is no need for going outdoors.