Dogs we understand. Cats are mysterious, even though they are the most popular pet

Washington Post ^ | Oct 14, 013 | John Bradshaw

[Innovative]

Cats are the world’s most popular pets, outnumbering dogs by as many as three to one. This popularity is undoubtedly helped by the fact that cats are simultaneously affectionate and self-reliant...

Even so, cats remain aloof and inscrutable. Dogs tend to be open, honest and biddable. Cats, on the other hand, demand we accept them on their terms but never quite reveal what those terms might be.

Studies of dogs in the 1950s established the notion of a “primary socialization period,” when puppies are especially sensitive to learning how to interact with people. For dogs, this is between 7 and 14 weeks of age. The concept also applies to cats, but it starts earlier. A kitten that is handled regularly between 4 and 8 weeks generally develops a powerful attraction to people. One that does not meet a human until 10 weeks or later is likely to fear people for the rest of its life.

[Innovative]

I personally like both cats and dogs -- they each have their virtues and challenges.

[Innovative]

Kittyping and doggie ping — mostly about cats, but also some about dogs

[cuban leaf]

My take on Dogs and Cats: Imagine you have a dog and a cat. Imagine you are God and your dog and your cat are humans. Which one is more Christian in his attitude? The dog or the cat?

[Da Coyote]

Had ‘em both.

Love ‘em both.

Both are more intelligent than politicians.

[fwdude]

I personally like both cats and dogs -- they each have their virtues and challenges.

Ditto here as well. I seem to like best the one I'm interacting with at the moment.

And cats CAN be very affectionate. Mine greet me when I come home.

[Dr. Sivana]

Which one is more Christian in his attitude? The dog or the cat?

Depends on the dog. Depends on the cat.

[BenLurkin]

Cats are not hard to understand. They are very predictable creatures once you get to know them.

They all have common characteristics — and they all have distinct personalities.

[Irenic]

“Depends on the dog. Depends on the cat.”
****************************
Ain’t that the truth.

[Will not Live for another Man]

Dogs vs. Cats summed up in two lines

Dog: you pet me! You feed me! You love me! You must be God!

Cat: you pet me, you feed me, you love me... I must be God

[workerbee]

Can't we all just get along?

[Ignatz]

I love cats...
but I can never eat a whole one.

[needmorePaine]

I like them both as well although I would pick a dog over a cat as a pet if given the choice. Playing with a dog is much more fun in my opinion.

I have a feeling that dogs are not as easy to read as we think they are. And cats are probably not as mysterious.

[cuban leaf]

Depends on the dog. Depends on the cat.

---

Generally speaking. I’m talking about the general differences between dogs and cats.

[needmorePaine]

Both are more intelligent than politicians.
True, but to be honest, all other animals and even some plants are smarter as well.

[HomeAtLast]

Ditto, and I’ve noticed that most dogs and cats like me back, whether I want affection or not. Cats in particular can be a problem.

[huldah1776]

Basically it comes down to dogs being pack animals and cats not. My rat terrier is very much like a cat. But like others, I like cats and dogs on a case by case basis. I LOVE horses.

[Daffynition]

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

As an aside, it has long been noted that tyrants generally dislike cats. Many of history’s famous tyrants and dictators hated cats. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Benito Mussolini, and Adolph Hitler were all men that were cat haters.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’m talking about the general differences between dogs and cats.

I can't generalize after having met Emily the Rottweiler and Bella the Rat Terrier. Barely the same species, and PLENTY of representatives from both sides. Emily was Ferengi, and I had to buy passage by opening the owner's fridge and getting out a slice of ham.

[Rusty0604]

Dogs have owners; cats have staff.