The Squabble Between Cats Vs Dogs

This has to be one of the oldest squabbles in history. Pet owners have argued for thousands of years since each species first became domesticated, whether cats or dogs are better. Nowadays, people just ask simply whether you are a cat person or a dog person.In the following article we will try to compare both in several different categories, whilst trying to remain unbiased. But ultimately only you know which you prefer, so are you a cat person or a dog person?Can’t decide whether you are a cat person or a dog person. Well let’s look at them under certain categories.HistoryCats where first domesticated approximately 9,500 years ago. They were seen as sacred animals by the ancient Egyptians, and were brought to Europe by the Romans. Since that time cats can now be found almost everywhere on earth and have grown in popularity to become the most popular pet in the world.Dogs where first domesticated approximately 15,000 years ago. They are descended from wolves, originally being used to help hunt for food. Humans have had a major impact on the species through selective breeding, which has led to the dog developing into hundreds of varieties of breeds. All these different breeds have varying behaviour and physical characteristics, making the dog the most varied land mammal on the planet.UsefulnessCats were probably first introduced into human society due to their skill at reducing vermin numbers, such as mice and rats. This has been particularly important during early human civilisation to reduce the spread of disease and illness. Nowadays we have better sanitation and medicine, so cats aren’t seen as having a specific use, but because humans have been living with them for so long they are seen solely as lovable pets.Dogs have been used by humans since they were first domesticated as wolves. They have many uses that were used by early humans to help them hunt and farm. But over the thousands of years that we have kept them, we have bread them for specific purposes. Nowadays dogs have so many uses in today’s society that we couldn’t do without them. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. It is this wide variety of uses and our close bond that has developed over thousands of years that has labelled dogs “mans best friend”.Looking afterCats are independent animals that feasibly take little looking after. Generally nocturnal by nature, cats can sleep for most of the day and disappear at night doing cat things. Depending on the bond between the cat and the owner, some cats might only come back to be fed, or they may do the opposite and bring home a mouse or dead bird for you!Dogs need a lot of looking after. They aren’t independent like cats are, generally seeing their role in a household as being part of a pack. Apart from obviously feeding, dogs need to have quite a lot of exercise, generally needing a walk 3-4 times a day. It is advisable to train a dog so that it doesn’t grow to be aggressive towards others or other dogs.CostThe cost of any animal can vary due to many different factors, mainly their size and health with the resulting vet bills. But as a general rough guide, cats cost roughly between £650-910 per year, and dogs cost roughly between £650-1150 per year. Cats generally can live between 9-15 years, and dogs between 12-14 years. So dogs are going to generally cost more to keep over their lifetime than cats, but the difference is not as big as some may have thought.ConclusionWell cats and dogs have different qualities that may appeal to you. If you want a pet that takes little looking after, but still offers social interaction then maybe you would prefer a cat. If you are looking for a pet to become one of the family, then maybe you would prefer a dog. At the end of the day only you can tell which type of person you are, a cat person or a dog person?