Introduction
Ever since man learned how to domesticate animals, he has had the same conflict within himself: what is the superior pet? To simplify this argument, as it has had many developments over the thousands of years it has existed, I will compare it to something widely known: American politics. Over the years, two parties have grown to dominate over the rest. Similarly, two types of pets have risen above the rest: cats and dogs. Just like the two parties fight over common issues, cat-lovers and dog-lovers clash over which species is better than the other. There are many other good pet options, but these two are the dominant forces. Let’s try and see if we can settle this argument once and for all.
Snuggleability
For many people, pets are there to be snuggled when their owner is lonely. This can be a deciding factor when buying a pet, so I’ll try to cover all my bases. Cats can be a risk if you are going for more snuggleability. Many cats love to spend time cuddled with their owners but many don’t. A lot of cats enjoy being left alone to clean themselves or whatever else it is cats do when they are alone. Also, it is very easy for cats to claw you up by accident as they walk on top of you, so if you have a low tolerance for this kind of thing, cats may not be for you. Dogs, on the other hand, are much different. Since there are different sizes of dogs, you can pick one just for your needs. If you have a little toddler, you may want a tiny little dog to comfort them, but if you are a giant lumberjack, you could get a larger dog. Dogs, in most cases, will always want to be with their owners, so if you get a dog it is a pretty safe bet that it will want to cuddle with you. Because of the different size options, I choose dogs to win this section.
Dogs - 1 Cats - 0
Peacefulness
It is commonly known that most species of dogs are loud. If they see a car, they bark. If they see a person walking by, they bark. If they see a granola bar combust into flames, they bark. Cats, on the other hand, are usually very quiet. Unless you have a cat that just sits around and meows, the only time you hear them is at food time and fighting time. This minimizes the chance that your pet will wake you up at night, which is, for many people, very important. For these reasons, I choose cats to win this section.
Dogs - 1 Cats - 1
Playfulness
Playfulness is another vital aspect to consider when obtaining a pet. While most dogs are playful, not all cats are. Cats love to chase toys around. You can use strings and the like to get your cat to run around chasing things for hours. You can also use laser pointers to effortlessly entertain both your cat and yourself for long times. Dogs, however, are more interactive. You can take your dog for a walk, play tug of war, play fetch, and much more. This will get you exercise and sunshine, as well as your dog. The problem arises, for some people, in that you have to take your dog out for walks during the winter. Many people don’t want this, but some people are willing to look past it. Because of the interactivity and bonding you have with the dog, as opposed to a cat bonding with a toy, I choose dogs to win this section.
Dogs - 2 Cats - 1
Messiness
Yet another element to consider is messiness. Some people are too busy and/or are simply not willing to put up with cleaning after their pets. Both cats and dogs start their lives not being potty trained. Whichever you get, you are probably gonna have to clean up after them for at least a little while. After they are potty trained is when a clear winner arises. With both animals, you must pick up their excrement and dispose of it. Since cats use litter boxes, their excrements are not smelly, are dry, and are easily removable with the use of a scoop. Dogs, however, are just the opposite. When walking your dog, you must use a bag and nearly come in contact with its feces and be faced with carrying it for a potentially long time until you find a trash can. Cats clearly win this section for owners who are grossed out by this sort of thing. Because of this, I choose cats to win this section.
Dogs - 2 Cats - 2
Results
Though both sides put up good fights, the battle ends in a tie. Since both pets have so many different advantages, it is really up to each individual owner to choose from the pros and cons of each. An older or lazier person might prefer cats because they don’t have to be walked. Someone who wants to snuggle with their put may choose dogs because of the different size options. Either way, both sides of the argument are very passionate about beating the other side and I’m sure this war will not be over any time soon.
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