I prefer cats to dogs as pets because:

[BikeWriter]

Please share your own reasons with us.

[devilgrrl]

1. I like dogs but I wish they weren't so...

smelly. That's the only thing that keeps me from really, really enjoying dogs and cats just aren't smelly like dogs are. :shrug:

Other than that, dogs are way cool.

[BikeWriter]

3. You may have a better sense of smell than some...

But cats may require less coat maintenance.

[mitchum]

2. Lower maintennance...

but we also have a 14 year old dog who we love very much

[BikeWriter]

4. I may have to concede that on cats.

[Hissyspit]

10. Absolutely, lower maintenance.

Trumps everything else when you are bone-tired or going on vacation.

[BikeWriter]

12. That's the reason I have no pets now. The maintenance...

is difficult when dealing with depression. ;(

[Hissyspit]

14. I find pets help with depression, but I understand what you are saying

[BikeWriter]

18. Without a doubt they help, but...

I don't take proper care of myself or my home and would not inflict that on a pet.

[LittleClarkie]

5. cuddle factor

and their fur tends to be softer, and they don't slobber all over me, just little kitty kisses. And they're cleaner.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. One of my cats slobbers.

One of his nicknames is Drippy.

[BikeWriter]

20. I'm sure you've thought of dental factors as a possible cause?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. He's done it from the time he was a kitten...

and the vet's never mentioned anything about his teeth. I just always assumed it was something that cats sometimes do...

[BikeWriter]

25. Hyper salivation can be a clinical sign...

of a number of ailments, including poisoning with Pyrethrins or Molluscacides (slug and snail baits). His liver should be fine or your Vet would have found it. You say it's been long term. Do you recall his being ill as a kitten?

[BikeWriter]

29. Hyper salivation in cats is often indicative...

of an oral abnormality or poisoning. As long as he's otherwise healthy and gets his checkups there's probably little reason to be concerned. :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

39. It's possible that he's built a little abnormally...

He looks like a miniature black panther. His face is quite long and very square between the upper and lower jaws. Fortunately, he's also one of the healthiest kitties I've had. He's only been to the vet for his shots and checkups. :-)

[LittleClarkie]

21. I had a friend with a cat like that

I've never encountered a drooly kitty. But he said when he'd come home, the cat got so excited to see him in anticipation of a petting that she'd drool.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. Sometimes he'll jump up on me in the middle of the night

and drip on my face, which is kind of annoying, yet sweet at the same time.

[LittleClarkie]

24. Ew, ick, and aw at the same time. Made me laugh. I needed that. Thanks.

I like your nick, btw. Guinness. Ah, the meal in a glass. A friend of mine swears it's his secret to never getting sick.

[LisaL]

6. Cats don't have to be taken for walks.

[BikeWriter]

16. They can get plenty of exercise inside, yes...

...and the cat litter option. Cat litter boxes are a major turnoff to me.

[FuzzySlippers]

7. Oh, I see now!

:D

[BikeWriter]

9. LOL! ;-)

[LeftyMom]

8. I like thier independence

I love dogs too, but thier worshipfulness bugs me a bit.

I'd trade both for a rabbit, though. :)

[BikeWriter]

11. LOL! You want a rabbit? Let's go rabbit fishing!

[lakemonster11]

36. That's my main problem with dogs.

I don't want to be worshipped and groveled over. Now, when I lived in Athens a few years ago, I loved all of the stray dogs. They were independent. One might choose to hang out with you for a while (I even had one give me a tour of the ancient agora), but when they got bored, they'd head off without a backwards glance.

[politicat]

13. I'm a masochist who finds being owned preferable....

It's not rational for me necessarily. I've met nice dogs, and I've met cats I want to sell to the closest biodiesel factory (my mother's cat, for example.) I think one of the reasons I prefer cats to dogs is that the cats I have known have been more "introverted" while the dogs I've known have been more "extroverted." Cats don't necessarily want to be your friend from the moment you enter their lives, while a lot of the dogs I've known are positive you do want to share everything with them.

Since I'm a classic introvert (i.e. I do well in group situations, and even enjoy them for short periods, but external events take more emotional energy from me than they return, and the more people I have to deal with, the more drained I get), dogs feel emotionally draining to me, while my cats are emotionally sustaining.

Part of that may be that dogs require a lot more active attention than cats do; my cats, at least, are more than content to provide and receive passive attention (like sitting next to me while I'm reading or sleeping near me while I'm working) than the dogs I've known.

Perhaps I've just known the wrong dogs.

[BikeWriter]

26. My children once motivated me to buy them a cat...

He was a beautiful pedigreed Seal-Point Persian. I got along with him because he was extremely extroverted for a kitty. He learned I would allow him to stalk me around the yard. He would sometimes attack, charging, leaping, and wrapping his legs around one of mine. I'd pretend to fight him off me. He should have been a panther.

[politicat]

34. In his mind, he *was* a panther.

One of ours is that way. A legend in his own mind. (Never mind that he's permanently on Homeland Security level Red (aka When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout....)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. They're much more effective mousers.

And if they get out of line, the dog will take care of them...unless there's a pan of meatloaf on the stove.

[BikeWriter]

27. LOL! The dog has to supervize them, then?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

42. Only when he won't be a beneficiary of their mischief.

He stops them from scratching the furniture, and sometimes does his herding routine when one of them gets away when I'm trying to bathe them. But if there's food to be gotten as a result of their prank, he won't touch them.

[henslee]

19. They eat cat turds (almond roca to some DUers) from the litterbox.

[Hardrada]

28. Cats are unintentionally eerie

and sometimes intentionally loveable. I like both these features.

[kick-ass-bob]

30. You don't have to take them out to do their business.

They won't eat anything and everything that lands on the floor.
And they don't have that dog smell.

On the other hand, they cough up more hairballs than one can count.
You have to clean up their business from in the house.
And they won't eat anything and everything that lands on the floor.

:D

I have both - so I get the worst of both worlds. :bounce:

[Gormy Cuss]

31. Cats are honest. Dogs are pleasers.

Dogs can't help themselves, being pack animals. They are always worried about their standing in the pack.
Cats don't care. They are who they are. Some of them are nasty little freaks, some are furry hot water bottles, and most are just fun, purring, playful members of the family.

Dog lovers: I like dogs, I really do. They offer endless affection and loyalty and companionship.
I just prefer cats.

[cassandra uprising]

32. As new found lover of cats

I must say I love how simple and yet complicated they are. Everything thing is completely on their terms and I admire that aspect about them.

[Radical Activist]

33. less noisy, less slobber, less obnoxious

[SOteric]

35. I've had and deeply loved both dogs and cats,

I love intelligent animals. Not all cats and dogs are intelligent, the ones that are make the best companions.

You have to take a dog out for a walk and scoop doggie poo, and/or paper train them for bad weather. But then you've got to scoop cat litter and clean the litter box, so I honestly consider that pretty much a wash.

I've known some dogs that were quiet and some cats that were as noisy as hell, so that's a wash.

Dogs are more malleable, cats are more independent. So a preference there is more a matter of individual taste and need.

Whichever one prefers, keep your little fuzzy buddies well trained, well-cared for and healthy and they'll reward you when their sweet little eyes 'come to get you' and they curl up next to you on the bed.

[azmouse]

37. Cats like mice.

<:3)~~~~~

[schmuls]

38. They can stay at home for a couple of days while I go on vacation

[Taverner]

40. I prefer dogs

Simply because we are undeserving of their love :loveya:

Cats, on the other hand, are exactly what we deserve...

[TheBaldyMan]

41. I like both but I prefer dogs

cats are cool for companionship (when they want some) but dogs are always up for a 'happy hour' down the park or going for a run. The are far more entertaining if you are an active person.

I don't know why cats like me but they do, they usually end up fast asleep and purring on my lap.

[Arugula Latte]

43. Cats make my heart sing.

I just look at a cat, not only one of mine, even on a commercial, and I get a big goofy grin on my face and I'm filled with joy at their beauty and cuteness. I love their soft fur, their purrs, the way they snuggle with you, their antics ... everything.

Dogs are pretty cool, but they are a little too stinky and barky and slobbery and obsequious for me to ever want to own one. Plus, my kitties wouldn't like it.