Dog lovers vs Cat lovers: US vs Europe

On a freezing cold Feb nite when its hissing down with rain Mutt still wants to be taken out for an hours walk.

With a cat you open the back door to the garden and let it out....Job done.

Mista H

I did that to my last wife... but she kept coming back into the house. Hence, I don't trust either!

I agree with TP - you either like animals or you don't. If you choose to make one your pet, then you have to understand their nature, and give them what they need. If you can't do that, then owning a pet is a very bad idea.

Briz is right, dogs need leadership. If they don't get it from you, then they will try and become the pack leader. This is the root cause of all "bad dog" behavior -- a lack of owner understanding about what the animal needs in order to stay calm and comfortable.  When I see someone out walking, and their dog is way out in front of them, I shake my head and keep my distance. That's a dog who is being trained to lead, and to protect their weak owner. That's a dog that will make their own decisions, and not listen to what their owner says. This is not being a "control freak", this is simply understanding the animal's nature. Don't get a dog unless you plan to be the alpha. Watching Cesar Millan's show or reading his books Is also a good idea. Bottom line:  if you don't have the time to lead your dog on at least two long walks per day, then maybe a cat is a better idea.

Cats are much easier to own, and much less demanding of your time.  I always advise young people to get a cat as their first pet, since the first thing you have to learn is the responsibility of keeping a living creature alive and well.  All a cat needs to survive is fresh water, food, a clean litter, and regular check-ups at the vet's. Add just a bit of love and patience, and you will usually be rewarded with play time and lap time (at the cat's time of choosing of course).

Neither cats nor dogs appreciate long periods of separation. The dogs we've owned seem to do ok at the kennel, but I would never kennel a cat.  I've always hired pet sitters while away from the cats. Have heard too many war stories of cats undergoing dramatic, long-term changes due to a single bad kennel stay.  Our dogs have simply joined other, temporary packs.  Whenever we've picked up our dogs from the kennel, they were happy, healthy, and exhausted.  You have to do your research, and pick a kennel with lots of green space, and a caring staff that's willing to provide the needed play time.

Every cat we've ever owned has been an indoor cat. I don't believe in letting domestic cats outside.  i understand others feel differently, but IMO, this changes the nature of the owner/pet relationship dramatically. You have to be ok with the idea that there's a chance, each and every time they go out, that they will not be coming back. If you are ok with that, feel free.   Lastly, have never de-clawed a cat -- I find the practice very cruel, and akin to removing a human's fingers.  Have never had a problem keeping a cat's claws clipped, and have never had an issue with furniture or other items being damaged by scratching.

All just my opinions of course. Have had 4 dogs and 6 cats (and 2 hamsters) over the years, but am now down to 1 cat. She's 18, and when she's gone, I think we are out of the pet business. Am looking forward in a few years to retiring and traveling extensively, so just wouldn't feel right about having a pet I couldn't spend a lot of time with.

ATB.

Hook

My family is fortunate to have a very well-behaved and well-mannered mutt. All the tools she needed to be compatible with humans were fairly and fastidiously reinforced upon her during the first six weeks we had her. And only ever using love and positive reinforcement; she's never had a treat or table scrap. She's happy, healthy, fit, and wants to do nothing but please people. How lucky we are to have her!

DSC_3328 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

This is about right I think:

http://youtu.be/GbycvPwr1Wg

Actually, I like cats too. But dogs are much more interactive. And they give you cause/reason to exercise.

Thanks Rod. Brilliant!

I loved our two cats, now I love our two dogs. Actually I love all animals but most make pretty dull pets; Rose, my pet Tarantula, was an interesting creature but didn't do an awful lot really. Dogs and cats do interact with you more and the dogs do make me get lots of exercise, which is a very good thing.

Thank you for your kind words Tony!  These days, TBH, I struggle to manage my own little lemonade stand, but I am always grateful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful forum!

I think it pretty remarkable that so many cool people just happen to share a common interest in this small, yet iconic British audio company. Health permitting, I hope to make the pilgrimage to Mecca Salisbury in the next couple of years. And hopefully the timing works out well, and I'll also get the chance to meet some of the UK forum members (both current and ex) I've grown fond of, and have come to respect and admire over the years.

ATB.

Hook

Cats are cats

Once you have booted her out,LOCK THE DOOR.

Mista H

Nice video. Now if that were dogs at least one of the them would have wee'd on the camera. 

Obama likes them just as much...the canard is that he's looking out for the average guy.

Just another corporo-fascist whore - that's all we get in this country.

So I guess that shows in part that dog and cat owners are the same in one small sample size.