Pet Training: Cat vs. Dog

When it comes to cat vs. dog training, dogs are generally the easier of the two to train. A dog's pack mentality makes them ready to follow a leader and makes them generally more obedient by nature. Typically, dog training is a process of teaching and reinforcing commands that help you communicate your desires to your dog. Dogs are so eager to please that they're happy to meet those desires. However, every dog is different, and some breeds have temperaments and learning aptitudes that take more readily to training than others.

Cats can be trained, but not as thoroughly as dogs. It requires a lot of patience and consistent practice to get past their wilful nature. With cats, it's best to focus training on establishing boundaries.

When it comes to house training, cats have the advantage over dogs. Cats use the litter box instinctively. It may only take showing them where the box is one time. If a cat is slow to catch on to using the litter box or appears to forget later on, this is often a sign of an underlying health issue, and you should consult your veterinarian.

Dogs, on the other hand, can be a lot tougher to potty train, especially puppies. Teaching them where it is and isn't acceptable to go usually takes a lot of repetition and positive reinforcement.

Consider Space

While dogs can be perfectly happy living in a small flat, they still need their outdoor exercise. If you lead an active lifestyle and can take your dog on walks or let them out in the back garden to run around and play a dog can be a great fit. However, if you live in a small flat a cat can be an excellent companion. Cats generally get their exercise through play (an excellent bonding opportunity between you and your cat) and through their general hunting nature where they will stalk prey (toys in this case) and leap up high in trees (cat trees that is). Because of this, cats don't usually need as much area to roam around. In fact, in a large house you might lose your cat for a while as they can be excellent hide-and-seek players.

Costs

It's true that cost should be considered when choosing to adopt a pet. Dogs often tend to be more expensive to care for than a cat between food, toys, training classes, daycare, and vet bills. Because cats are independent by nature they have learned to care for themselves and generally only rely on their human for food. Even play stimulation can be as simple and cost effective as a flashlight or a feather tied to a stick.

Which Is the Best Pet for Me?

Cats and dogs aren't the only ones with different temperament and personality traits. According to Psychology Today, cat parents and dog parents also differ significantly in these areas. The majority of people who keep cats exclusively tend to be more introverted, less sociable, and more self-contained, whereas dog parents are more social, interactive, and open to new experiences.

Whether your personality more closely aligns with that of the typical dog person or the typical cat person, the main thing to keep in mind is that a dog will likely require quite a bit more of your time and attention than a cat. If you're looking for a companion that will sit by your side, then a dog might be your best bet. Cats can be quite affectionate and attentive, but only up to a point. They tend to become bored or overstimulated much more easily than dogs, and at that point they want to escape for a while. So, if you prefer a pet to keep you company but isn't especially needy, consider a cat.

Again, these are all generalities. Remember that cats and dogs are not only different species, but they're individuals within each of their species and some of these generalities might not apply to individual pets. Factors such as genetics, breed, breed temperament, and the animal's history all play a part as to how friendly, sociable, and teachable they will be. Wherever you side on the cat vs. dog debate, it's important to research your choice of pet before welcoming them to their forever home. Consider dog or cat sitting for a friend or family member to see if you prefer the companionship of one over the other. Then, make sure to go spend some time at your local animal shelter before you make the ultimate decision to adopt. You might find out that it is not the species that helps you make up your mind, but rather the bond you form with one of the animals. No matter which species you choose to adopt, with enough love and affection, you will surely find a forever friend.