Al-Damkhi 1

Loulwa Al-Damkhi
Ms. Nourah Al-Khamis
EFP 220/02
Fall 2022

Cats and dogs

Who would win in a fight cats or dogs? These are non-predatory animals that you can

have as a companion at home. Owning a pet gives you the sense of responsibility and wanting to

provide an intact place for them. Because it makes people feel that they are one of their children.

But some believe that cats and dogs are similar and think that when owning a cat, it will act like

a dog and vice versa. However, there are three differences when it comes to owning a cat or a

dog.

First, the training. Cats are not domestic animals; they are independent and tend to do

things on their terms. This is because cats do not see the owner as their master, they see you as a

big clumsy cat. Furthermore, they are reclusive animals. Despite enjoying human affection, they

will not do something if they do not want to. Some days they want to sit on your lap, and other

days they just want to settle on their bed and avoid their owner. But when it comes to dogs, they

have a pack mentality that makes them ready to follow a leader. Unlike cats, dogs do recognize

their owner as their masters. Also, they are so eager to please that they are happy to meet the

owner's desire. They learned that they will be rewarded if they follow their master orders and

punished if they do not. To retreat, cats are harder to train than dogs.

Second, social needs. Cats are not social with people else their owner. because cats are

intimidated by strangers and visitors. If a cat is not introduced to different people during their

socialization (at three to nine weeks of age) they will be more apprehensive of strangers when
 Al-Damkhi 2

they get older. So, when they feel threatened, they start harming the owner’s friends to stay

away. Also, cats must feel secure before they show affection. Some cats are cold hearted, they do

not like anyone easily. But when you make them feel safe and loved they will be friendly and

love you back so, if you see a house cat gradually squinting their eyes and looking at you that

means they like you. But dogs are more social with other people. because dogs are not

intimidated by strangers as much as cats, in fact they want to get to know them and start playing.

Plus, Dr.Bridgett Vonholdt of Princeton University has done a study about wolves and dogs'

sociability she said” dogs, however, were much more friendly. They spent more time greeting

human strangers and gazing at them while wolves are somewhat aloof. So, if the owner's friends

or family are visiting the dog will be as excited as his owner. To restate, cats take more time to

be social while dogs just cannot wait that long and will immediately be social and be friends with

strangers.

Third, the way of taking care of them. Cats are easy to take care of. Because cats cost less

to care for. According to the ASPCA, the overall cost of caring for cats is lower than medium or

large dogs. This is because they require less food, fewer toys, and have lower overall grooming

costs, which makes them affordable. Moreover, cats do not need to be taken out multiple times a

day. Just purchase a litter box and you will not have to worry about them making the house smell

bad. On the other hand, dogs are harder to take care of. Because it costs a lot taking care of them.

They need toys, substantial amounts of food, and training equipment. Furthermore, dogs need to

be taken out multiple times a day. because if the owner did not the house would smell awful. To

rephrase, cats are much easier to take care of instead of dogs.

To sum up, training, social needs, and the ways of taking care of them, are three

differences you can immediately notice when owning one of them. When it comes to training,
 Al-Damkhi 3

dogs are easier than cats because of their pack mentality. Also, dogs are more social than cats

because they like to communicate with humans and other animals. Moreover, cats are easier to

take care of than dogs because they cost less. In my opinion, cats are lovely animals even though

they are complected animals and taking care of them needs a lot of work. I would rather own a

cat than a dog.

Work cited:

Briggs, By Helen. “Why Dogs Are Friendly - It’s Written in Their Genes.” BBC News,

20 July 2017, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40655634.

Cat Scared of Strangers: How to Calm Anxious Cats.” Best Friends Animal Society,

resources.bestfriends.org/article/cat-scared-strangers-how-calm-anxious-cats.

Colgate. “Cat Vs. Dog: Which Is the Best Pet for Me?” Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 30 Aug.

2022, www.hillspet.com/pet-care/new-pet-parent/choosing-between-dogs-and-cats.

PetBacker Editor. “Why Cats Are Not as Friendly as Dogs? 3 Facts About It.” PetBacker

Blog, 17 Nov. 2021, www.petbacker.com/blog/facts/why-cats-are-not-as-friendly-as-dogs-3-

facts-about-it.

“Why Are Cats Hard to Train?” Animalpath.org, 2 Nov. 2021, animalpath.org/why-are-

cats-hard-to-train.