Cats are not the easy option
Sometimes I have discussions with people about why I’m “more of a cat person than a dog person.” Inevitably, people will use the term “low maintenance” when comparing the care of a cat to that of a dog.
I firmly disagree with that. Yes, dogs need walking which requires them to be trained and their human carer to exert energy when giving them the walk.
But to care for a cat properly, there’s much more to it than food, shelter and the occasional flea and worming treatments.
Cats are smart, strong minded and exhibit instincts in areas that some people would find difficult to contend with. In short, cats will challenge you.
Unlike their canine counterparts, cats do not feel obligated to make you happy. Their agenda is their own and if they want you to be a part of it, they let you know.
I remember reading a fact a couple of years ago that has stayed with me, because I found it fascinating. The fact was this; that cats and humans have practically identical sections in the brain that control emotion. Now consider this…how challenging can it be to keep another person happy emotionally?
Cats are a complex species. They don’t blindly obey commands; they may choose to do as they’re told, but one thing people that share their homes with cats will tell you is this….it’s practically impossible to make a cat do something they don’t want to.
In conclusion, yes, I’m more a cat person than a dog person. Because I love that cats are themselves, 100%. Isn’t that something we all strive to be?
The resident ASBO, Darwin as a baby in his rescue foster home…
Great insights. Being both a dog and a cat person, but in later years only caring for cats due to circumstances, I think what cat lovers find so engaging about cats is their complexity, and the challenge of persuading a cat you want to be part of their world in such a way that you aren’t simply a feeder. Cats respond to people who will go that extra mile for them. Dogs do too of course, but in the Dog -v- Cat debate, I think of it like doing the easy crossword puzzle (dog) or the cryptic crossword puzzle (cat). Both are great fun, both exercise your hearts and your brains. Cats however will stretch you more in terms of winning their interaction.
I love both canine and feline, we have a rather “individual” feline with a very strong personality. My favourite thing about cats is when they do something naughty, you scorn them and they give you that look of “that was nothing, and now I’m going to repay you ten fold with something worse”, scorn a dog and they instantly apologise and turn into a tearful toddler. My kitty knows the word “no”, whether she listens or not depends entirely on the mood she’s in and her ratio of hunger:devilishness. I’m always greeted with a “waaaaah” of appreciation when I partake in my door duties, and at feeding times. That’s all I need, because having her fluffy bum in my face at fuss time is less desirable, Id sooner be demanded of haha
I’m much more a cat person, I agree wholeheartedly. I think cats challenge you every single day and I love that feeling when you have earnt the trust of a feline sharing your life and home with. One of mine has always been very highly strung and I still remember the first time she laid (not curled up) on our sofa and you could see her teeth she was so content. I am fortunate to share my home with 4 cats and they give so much …. You just have to earn it first 🙂