Opinion Writing Cats vs. Dogs

David

Domesticated Cats vs. Domesticated Dogs

Almost everyone loves to snuggle up with a cute furry friend. Luckily there are many furry friends that you can choose from. The most popular choices are cats and dogs. Everyone has their own preference but this paper is to show the ups and downs of both sides. I prefer cats because they are less aggressive and have more personality and feelings.

In my opinion cats have the upper hand in many physical aspects. They do not need to be walked at all. Most cats hate baths, and fortunately very rarely need one. They are fine with being left alone for periods of time. They are easily trained to use a litter box. They are good companions if you're in college and have a small apartment.

I think cats are the best at everything that is expected from a domesticated pet, but dogs do have some attributes that exceed even cats. They are a lot more energetic than cats. They have superior strength and stamina. They are able to run up to three kilometers without rest on average. In my opinion, cats don't need super stamina because they are sleeping most of the time.

When it comes to communication, I think that cats' meows have more meaning to them than a dog's woof. Cats' meows connect with us on a subconscious level. Scientists say that their purring uses the same frequency as a baby's cry and we just can’t resist helping them. Their meow turns on our desire to protect and care. I think that their body motion is also a big part of our interspecies communication.

A happy cat will present their chin or back to us for scratching. Their eyes are a great sign to tell if they're happy or unhappy. If their pupils are dilated then they are in “combat mode”. I think that if they just blink slowly or close their eyes while you're around then they trust you. This helps you to better understand what is happening inside your cat's mind. Some cats like British Shorthair can even move facial muscles to express their emotions. If you are a cat owner you've probably seen the “death stare” done in your direction once or twice.

Dogs have a greater vocal range than most cats but it's usually not necessary. I don't think that being able to whimper, yip, growl, and bark is a step up to the cat's ability to produce the same sound as before and have it mean something different. Cats and dogs are similar in that they both use body language to express their emotions. A dog will wag its tail when it's happy and cower and hide when it is worried. Some dogs can even learn to say “yes” and “no”. Both cats and dogs help us calm down when we are stressed. When discussing smarts I think that there is a tie. Even though the popular trend says that dogs are smarter than cats, I would say that cats are smarter in different ways, and am glad that some research has been done to prove this. For example, a cat’s cerebral cortex is much larger than a dog's. The cerebral cortex is the area responsible for cognitive information processing. In my opinion cats have a healthy amount of personality. Cats are very perceptive meaning they will change and modify their actions according to how you act and feel. If you are sick and feeling down, chances are that your cat will come over and lie down next to you.

In my opinion dogs and cats tie in the intelligence category. As we do not have a stable IQ test developed, researchers can’t be certain about the answer. I think that cats are smarter in personality and self-awareness because you can't be grumpy without a personality. Dogs are smarter in understanding and following commands way. They have a better memory and have the will to learn new things, unlike cats who will look at you funny when you ask them to sit. They have a more solid understanding of the concept of alpha. Some big dogs need special training so that when they grow up they do not mistake themselves for an alpha. If successful in training and educating a big dog then they can be very helpful in protection.

In conclusion, as domestic pets, I think that cats are better. They require less maintenance. They do not require walks and they are ready to be your new best friend. If you are sick or feeling down they will feel the darkness in the room and come over to cheer you up. When choosing a pet I think that a cat is preferable. If you are in college for example, and don't have time to take a dog out for walks, but want to have someone else around, a cat is the best option. They are also fine with being left alone for extended times.