Good points, but until you get to a sedentary, agrarian society, cats are a liability, and dogs are a great benefit. Without dogs, who knows how many cultures would have even gotten to the agrarian stage?
Also, the benefits that cats provide aren’t exclusive, there are other, fairly simple ways to solve those problems that men have come up with. To illustrate that point, just look at the history of the Americas. There were plenty of agrarian societies that thrived here and never had a single domesticated housecat helping them. They didn’t perish from disease and food poisoning, or starve from the predations of rodents. When they came to the Americas, they made sure to bring dogs with them, but they didn’t bother with the kitties. I think that says a lot.
The Legend of Grace
[An Old Indian Legend]
“There is an old, old legend of how it came to be, that dog forsook the wild to dwell with folks like you and me.
Now man and beast they lived on a common bit of earth.
Each specie thought the other of very little worth.
One day there was a rumble, the earth began to quake.
It gave a mighty shudder, and then began to break.
A crack began to widen between the beasts and man.
Some watched the crevasse deepen, but most just turned and ran.
Now dog surveyed the distance, and man beheld it too.
Between them sprang a yearning, a feeling strange and new.
Then each one begged the other to make the fateful leap.
Yet each one dreaded jumping a crack so wide and deep.
So dog compelled his courage, and told man he would try.
He eyed the fatal distance, for if he failed, he’d die.
Then dog prepared to jump across, his courage had decided.
That if he could but make the jump, they’d no more be divided.
His muscles bunched beneath him; his body left the ground.
The wind raced past his muzzle; his heart began to pound.
His senses sought the purchase of land beneath his feet.
At last-his forepaws met the ground, his mission was complete!
No! His hind feet have slipped and he’s falling off the side!
His gallant farewell look said, “At least, new friend, I tried.”
With disbelieving glance, man beheld his falling friend.
He wouldn’t let it happen; it couldn’t be the end!
Then flesh smote air in searching and hand met paw and fur.
Then man pulled dog to safety as heart to heart they were.
Man called and dog responded, and though the gulf was wide.
Man gained the loyal canine, forever by his side.”
by Klea V. Stilwell