Introduction
Ah, the age-old debate – dogs or cats, who makes a better pet? If you’re a dog lover like me, the answer is obvious. Dogs are much better than cats in almost every way. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any animosity towards our feline friends. Cats can make great pets for the right owner. But when you compare the two, dogs come out on top time and time again.
Still not convinced? Let me lay out why dogs are the best pets a human can ask for. I’m going to blow you away with tons of evidence that even the most devout cat lover can’t refute. We’re talking unrivaled loyalty, loving companionship, mental stimulation, physical health benefits, and more.
Loyalty: a dog is indeed man’s best friend
One of the biggest reasons dogs take the crown is their legendary loyalty and loving bond with their owners. You can’t beat a dog’s loyalty and admiration for humans. We’re talking about the kind of devotion that would make even the ancient Greek poets jealous.
Think about it, when was the last time you came home from work and your cat jumped up because you walked in the door, licked your face, wagged his tail, and was pure unbridled joy? Unless you have a very strange cat, the answer is probably no. Dogs live to please their owners, and that’s something cats can’t match.
Dogs are always ecstatic when their favorite person comes home, whether you’ve been gone for eight hours or just took out the trash. Their unconditional love and loyalty is in its purest form – they ask for very little in return other than your affection, some food and playtime, and maybe the occasional belly rub.
With a dog, you have a loyal lifelong companion who will be by your side through thick and thin. Can you really say the same thing about cats? I love them, but let’s be honest – cats are basically anti-social loners who just tolerate our presence for free food and shelter. Dogs, on the other hand, are true to their love and loyalty.
Built-in best friends and endless playtime
Following their extraordinary loyalty, dogs make ideal companions and built-in best friends that cats can’t match. Imagine how rich, interesting and fulfilling your life would be with a dog by your side.
Whatever activity you come up with, dogs are always happy to do it. Feeling active? They’re ready to go for a hike, hit some trails, play endless games of fetch, or just jog around the neighborhood as your built-in exercise buddy. Looking for a lazy day? Dogs will be just as content to snuggle up with you on the couch and binge-watch TV after they’ve exhausted themselves playing zoomies in the living room.
With a dog, you always have a playmate ready to play clown, chase toys, learn new tricks, or anything else that keeps you both entertained and engaged. Dogs never get tired of playing and give you tons of attention and love in ways that cats don’t. Even if Fluffy feels unusually cozy one day, that feeling lasts about 5 minutes before she gets bored and walks away.
Dogs are naturally inclined to play games, learn new things, and form an inseparable bond with their owners, thus fostering friendships in both directions. With a dog in your life, you will never be bored, isolated or lacking a built-in best friend. It’s not something a cat can compete with.
Better for your mental health and overall well-being
What makes a dog better than a cat isn’t just having a built-in companion – it’s been proven that owning a dog can bring mental health benefits and improve your overall health in ways that cat owners can’t even fathom.
Multiple studies have shown that people who own dogs are happier, less stressed, and better able to cope with issues such as anxiety and depression than people who don’t own pets or even cats. The love and companionship that dogs provide can be a huge boost to our mood and overall mental health.
Dog owners also tend to be more social, connected to their community and engaged with others rather than becoming isolated shut-ins. Having to walk your dog on a regular basis forces you to get out, interact with your neighbors, and make new friends at the dog park. Cats …… are not there to help you make friends or get you out of the house.
Let’s not forget the proven physiological benefits of owning a dog. Studies have shown that petting a dog immediately lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormones like cortisol. Dog owners often get more exercise by walking their dogs and being more active overall. More exercise equals better shape and health.
Heck, researchers have even found that being with a dog can help protect your brain from dementia and cognitive decline in later years. In one study, older dog owners scored higher on tests of memory and ability to perform everyday tasks compared to people who didn’t own a dog.
So, in addition to being a better performing companion, dogs actively improve your physical and mental health through their loving presence, focus, and urging you to stay active. What do cats offer to your overall health? Mainly shedding and hairballs.
The joys of training an obedient companion
Another key reason why dogs win the gold medal for best pet is that they are easy to train and develop into obedient, well-behaved companions. Even the most devout cat lovers have to admit that this is unmatched by their furry feline friends.
Unlike cats, dogs have a real desire to learn and be trained – it’s in their genes to want to please us and follow our lead, to be the leader of the pack. With some patience, positive reinforcement, and often just a bag of treats, dogs can be trained to follow even complex commands and routines while actively learning new tricks and cues.
Imagine the fun of training your dog to follow basic commands such as sit, stay, come and even roll over. The sense of pride and closeness you feel when your dog finally masters a new skill after consistent training is something no other pet owner will ever experience.
Plus, who doesn’t love being able to show off the wonderful tricks that Fido has been taught to perform on command? The admiration and “oohs and aahs” from friends and family when your dog can wiggle, play dead, or accomplish some other adorable feat are priceless. When was the last time anyone was surprised that a cat could cross a room or use a litter box?
Of course, the more extensive training and obedience your dog receives, the better behaved and more trustworthy companion they will be. Is there a scary noise outside? A well-trained dog will stay by your side rather than run away or get frightened. Do you have guests coming over? Your dog can reliably follow commands such as sit, no jumping, no barking or causing a mess.
Imagine being able to enjoy hosting parties and leaving your home without having to worry about your pet causing damage or creating an embarrassing mess. With a properly trained dog, you can finally relax and avoid frantically calling your neighbors to ask if they can come see your cat who is always destroying your furniture or littering everywhere.
Sure, training a dog takes some work – but the process itself is very rewarding and helps to create a lifelong bond. The result is a loyal, obedient, well-mannered puppy who will become your best friend and bring you endless joy for many years to come. For most people, it is well worth the pre-training effort that cats can never match.
Specialized for activities, protection and lifelong bonds
So far, we’ve discussed the many reasons why dogs make better pets, but there’s another important reason that really sets them apart – dogs are simply made for active lifestyles, protection, and lifelong bonding in ways that go beyond what cats can offer .
First and foremost, dogs are by nature very energetic creatures who thrive on activity, exercise and adventure with their owners. They are ideal companions for everything from leisurely walks and hikes to camping trips, canoeing, swimming, running, and more. Cats are much less important for the whole outdoors.
Of course, some breeds have more or less energy than others. But part of the fun is finding the ideal puppy that matches your preferred level of adventure and activity. Even more gentle or older dogs still need walks and outdoor activities to stay happy and healthy.
Want to feel safer at home or out jogging? Dogs can also provide excellent protection, deter threats, and alert you to any danger through their powerful barking and guarding instincts. You can’t get the same sense of security from even the most mischievous cat.
Then we have a lifelong bond and growth that is unique to dogs. From the first day you bring home your eight-week-old puppy, you’ll watch them grow, develop and bond with you year after year, well into their twilight years. By the time that puppy becomes an old dog, you’ll be a very different person than when you first got him – and your furry friend will be there for you through all of life’s ups and downs and major milestones.
In countless movies, books and stories throughout history, dogs have always symbolized unparalleled companionship and representation of the human experience like no other pet. Every stage of a dog’s life and evolution is intertwined with our lives in beautiful ways, carrying all the memories and special moments through the decades. It’s a journey of a lifetime and a bond you can’t build with a cat.
So whether you have an energetic workout partner, a family guardian, or a lifelong best friend who has been with you through all the landmarks over the years, a dog is better suited to play all of these roles and more. While cats are great for some passive companionship and the occasional snuggle, you’ve really only scratched the surface of what a pet can mean to you with a dog.
The only real downside – shit
Well, I’m going to be completely fair and transparent here – dogs do fall short in one area compared to felines: dealing with dog feces and having to walk them to allow them to go to the bathroom. That’s really the only downside I can give to dogs compared to cats that use litter boxes.
Having to take your pup out for a walk several times a day to get the job done can be tiresome, especially in inclement weather. Having to carry around plastic bags to clean up feces in the yard or while out on walks is certainly an inconvenience that cat owners don’t have to deal with.
However …… this small disadvantage is far outweighed by all the other benefits of owning a dog that we have outlined. Dogs have to go potty outside – sure, it’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s a minuscule price to pay for their unconditional love, protection, happiness and amazing companionship. If taking them for a walk a couple times a day is the only downside, I think dog owners can happily live with that trade-off.
Plus, let’s be honest, litter boxes aren’t exactly a walk in the park for cat owners. They are disgusting biohazards that produce odors, require frequent cleaning, and if not properly maintained, can make the entire house reek. At least with dog feces, you can immediately seal it in a bag and dispose of it cleanly instead of wandering through the dumpster.
But then again, if the dog poop situation really blows your mind, then so be it. For everyone else, it’s just a small concession to enjoy all the other countless ways dogs enrich our lives compared to cats.
Conclusion
Now you have a detailed understanding of why dogs make better pets and companions for humans than cats. While feline fans will surely protest, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the canine team when you consider loyalty, companionship, trainability, health/well-being benefits, cleanliness, protectiveness, and overall bonding.
That’s not to say that cats can’t be great pets for the right owner and living situation. But in a face-to-face comparison, dogs think cakes are superior in almost every category most pet owners care about. Their endless optimism, joy, desire to please others and unconditional love is something everyone deserves to experience.
So if you are on the fence about finding a new furry friend to share your home and life with, I highly recommend going with a dog. You will never regret the decision to welcome a loving canine companion and embark on a lifelong bond and the adventures that are about to unfold. Don’t be surprised when you experience how fulfilling it is to officially become a real “dog person”!