Current Events > Cats are like 75% of a dog at like 90% less maintenance.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Yeah, 99/100 if your cat is swatting at you when you walk by it's because they aren't getting enough play time. But also atma's a troll that no one should be responding to.

Cats only stick around because you feed them. Oh and because you imprison them.

Cleaning a litter box is a lot more work than just opening the back door to let the dog out. Plus the cat would track that sand out and Id have to vacuum it up. And when she started kicking it into the air it was like a dust cloud (even with low dust formula.) Also the cat would scratch on the couch when I wasnt looking and shed cat hair everywhere. I invested in so many lent rollers. The cat was a fuck ton more work.

VigorouslySwish posted...

Cats only stick around because you feed them. Oh and because you imprison them.

Again:

TheOtherMike posted...

Tell me you've never had a cat without telling me you've never had a cat.

the dog vs cat debate is so damn stupid

both animals make for fine pets and literally just down to personal preference

one isn't better than the other

BeyondWalls posted...

Cleaning a litter box is a lot more work than just opening the back door to let the dog out. Plus the cat would track that sand out and Id have to vacuum it up. And when she started kicking it into the air it was like a dust cloud (even with low dust formula.) Also the cat would scratch on the couch when I wasnt looking and shed cat hair everywhere. I invested in so many lent rollers. The cat was a fuck ton more work.

You gotta go pick up that shit unless you want to step on it in the backyard, and dogs pee ruin grass.

Litter Robot + robot vacuum will fix all that up. And if your cat was scratching the couch, put a scratching post by it and teach the cat to scratch that instead.

BeyondWalls posted...

Cleaning a litter box is a lot more work than just opening the back door to let the dog out.

Scooping a cat box every other day is less work than letting a dog out multiple times per day and periodically cleaning up poop in the yard.

BeyondWalls posted...

Plus the cat would track that sand out and Id have to vacuum it up.

...Do you not vacuum your home regularly already?

BeyondWalls posted...

And when she started kicking it into the air it was like a dust cloud (even with low dust formula.)

Don't use a litter that has any dust? There are numerous options, but Pretty Litter for example has zero dust and zero odor.

BeyondWalls posted...

Also the cat would scratch on the couch when I wasnt looking and shed cat hair everywhere.

Maybe try giving your cat scratching posts. For best effect, put them near the furniture they're scratching. There are also scratch-deterrents. I use a spray that goes on any furniture I don't want them scratching on. In conjunction with scratching posts, my couches and chairs have no scratching damage.

As for shedding...dogs also shed. Typically much more than cats unless you have small short-hair dogs.

BeyondWalls posted...

The cat was a fuck ton more work.

You literally just had no idea what you were doing with a cat. Dogs require a fuckload of training, far more attention, more frequent grooming and bathing. Cats require little-to-no training, are far more balanced beween independent and affectionate, and generally do a better job at grooming and bathing themselves than we ever could. Cats are objectively far less work than dogs.

IdiotMachine posted...

You gotta go pick up that shit unless you want to step on it in the backyard, and dogs pee ruin grass

Ive had multiple dogs over decades. Unless youve got a really small yard then its not an issue.

IdiotMachine posted...

robot vacuum will fix all that up. And if your cat was scratching the couch, put a scratching post by it and teach the cat to scratch that instead.

Dude. I tried everything. Low dust litter, a roomba, plus mats designed to catch litter when they get out. That shit still gets everywhere. And my cat had a scratching post. That didnt stop her from coming over and stretching on the side of the leather couch when I wasnt looking.

TheOtherMike posted...

Scooping a cat box every other day is less work than letting a dog out multiple times per day and periodically cleaning up poop in the yard.

...Do you not vacuum your home regularly already?

Don't use a litter that has any dust? There are numerous options, but Pretty Litter for example has zero dust and zero odor.

Maybe try giving your cat scratching posts. For best effect, put them near the furniture they're scratching. There are also scratch-deterrents. I use a spray that goes on any furniture I don't want them scratching on. In conjunction with scratching posts, my couches and chairs have no scratching damage.

As for shedding...dogs also shed. Typically much more than cats unless you have small short-hair dogs.

You literally just had no idea what you were doing with a cat. Dogs require a fuckload of training, far more attention, more frequent grooming and bathing. Cats require little-to-no training, are far more balanced beween independent and affectionate, and generally do a better job at grooming and bathing themselves than we ever could. Cats are objectively far less work than dogs.

Sounds like the maintenance is actually building up >_>.

The problem is, people always the compare the best version of the animal they like to an unfavorable version of the animal they want to look down on. There's gonna be cats way lower maintenance than dog ls and vice versa. And there will be dogs that are way more fun than cats and vice versa.

To me, the biggest difference is if you're an indoor or outdoor person. If you want a companion you just leave home or if you want a companion to take with you everywhere.

The amount something feels like a chore to you is based on your personality as well. Something is not objectively more stressful/work than the next thing. I prefer chores that are outside.

BeyondWalls posted...

And my cat had a scratching post. That didnt stop her from coming over and stretching on the side of the leather couch when I wasnt looking.

You put it next to the leather couch.

IdiotMachine posted...

You put it next to the leather couch.

It was.

Cats suck, Dogs at least will protect you.

Especially pits. Theyll protect the f*** out of you and your defenseless children.

Cats can learn to use a toilet. Nothing beats that level of convenience.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Sounds like the maintenance is actually building up >_>.

How do you figure? Nearly everything with cats is "set it and forget it." Put some scratching posts around. Put down a litter box and scoop it once every other day, or get a self-scooping box.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

The problem is, people always the compare the best version of the animal they like to an unfavorable version of the animal they want to look down on.

I've always had and loved both, so that's definitely not the case here. I don't look down on any cute furry critters.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

The amount something feels like a chore to you is based on your personality as well. Something is not objectively more stressful/work than the next thing. I prefer chores that are outside.

We're talking about how much actual work is required, not "how much it feels like a chore." Yes, one thing can objectively be more work than another.

iPhone_7 posted...

Cats suck, Dogs at least will protect you.

Especially pits. Theyll protect the f*** out of you and your defenseless children.

https://youtu.be/EEa6jZv-Khc

TheOtherMike posted...

How do you figure? Nearly everything with cats is "set it and forget it." Put some scratching posts around. Put down a litter box and scoop it once every other day, or get a self-scooping box.

So is most for dogs. The rest is extra stuff you'd do if you want just like cats. All the walks and playing are things you should wanna do anyway and now you got a companion with you. Dogs are suppose to morivate you to exercise. Again, if you don't want that motivation, yeah, get a cat. But keeping you more healthy and motivated isn't really a negative/work.

TheOtherMike posted...

I've always had and loved both, so that's definitely not the case here. I don't look down on any cute furry critters.

Fair. I wasn't directing that part at you, was just throwing a net for those that lands for. I see it all the time with more than just animal conversation.

TheOtherMike posted...

We're talking about how much actual work is required, not "how much it feels like a chore." Yes, one thing can objectively be more work than another.

Like I touched on earlier, "work" is actually subjective too in this instance. Plus, what do you gotta do for a dog that's minimum and involved you doing more than just opening a door once in a while and filling up bowls?

I love topics like this just to see cat people screech over everything.

I like both, but cat owners are the worst people. Keep telling yourself Mr Whiskers is clean after he runs his saliva all over his body and paws and then jumps on the table where you eat your food.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

So is most for dogs. The rest is extra stuff you'd do if you want just like cats. All the walks and playing are things you should wanna do anyway and now you got a companion with you. Dogs are suppose to morivate you to exercise. Again, if you don't want that motivation, yeah, get a cat. But keeping you more healthy and motivated isn't really a negative/work.

Fair. I wasn't directing that part at you, was just throwing a net for those that lands for. I see it all the time with more than just animal conversation.

Like I touched on earlier, "work" is actually subjective too in this instance. Plus, what do you gotta do for a dog that's minimum and involved you doing more than just opening a door once in a while and filling up bowls?

What are you going on about? I've had a dog before and you have to walk your dog twice a day, pick up the shit every time the dog poops, and bathe and wash the dog, and cut the dog's hair. With a cat, literally change the litter box once every week or two and that's it.

Ving_Rhames posted...

I love topics like this just to see cat people screech over everything.

I like both, but cat owners are the worst people. Keep telling yourself Mr Whiskers is clean after he runs his saliva all over his body and paws and then jumps on the table where you eat your food.

You just train your cat not to jump on things you don't want them to. My cats are trained to not jump on anything but their stuff (like cat tree). They don't even jump on the couch.

It's easy to train cats with proper tools and patience, just like training dogs. I loved dogs and would love to have them now, but can't find the time to take care of them now as an adult with a full time job. I don't know how people do it.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

So is most for dogs.

False.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

The rest is extra stuff you'd do if you want just like cats. All the walks and playing are things you should wanna do anyway and now you got a companion with you. Dogs are suppose to morivate you to exercise. Again, if you don't want that motivation, yeah, get a cat. But keeping you more healthy and motivated isn't really a negative/work.

Whether you enjoy walks or not is irrelevant to the fact that dogs require walking and it takes effort.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Fair. I wasn't directing that part at you, was just throwing a net for those that lands for. I see it all the time with more than just animal conversation.

Yeah, I definitely feel you there. I don't understand it either. Like, people need to understand an animal's needs and whether or not it aligns with what they want in a pet, but people who go apeshit about animals they don't like (and the people that do like them) is weird.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Like I touched on earlier, "work" is actually subjective too in this instance.

It really isn't. It's literally a function of how much time and physical exertion the animal requires. In that regard, dogs are objectively far more work than cats. Exceptions exist, of course (like rehabbing a stray/feral cat vs rehoming a well-trained shelter dog), but generally speaking they're not even the same ballpark.

Idk, I've got an Akita and they just kind of blend in to my life. She chills with me on the couch, come with me to run/walk every day, we screw around for laughs. Basically like a live-in best friend. Poop cleanup just gets swept in to yardwork and isn't a big deal anyway.

Granted I live a kinda active life style anyway, and my primary experience with living with a cat was with one who didn't particularly like me. Guess they would be better for more sedentary/chill times though if they're not trying to kill you any time you go near them lol.

You didn't say the extra stuff you gotta do for a dog indoors. That's the main convo, no? On a lazy day, all I do is fill up bowls and open a door a couple times. The stuff you gotta teach them is choice too v

Lost_All_Senses posted...

You didn't say the extra stuff you gotta do for a dog indoors. That's the main convo, no?

What? No, the conversation is which requires more work. Who said anything about exclusively indoor/outdoor work?

Lost_All_Senses posted...

On a lazy day, all I do is fill up bowls and open a door a couple times.

And on most days with a cat you only have to fill the bowls. Well, that and play time, which is something else dogs objectively require more of.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

The stuff you gotta teach them is choice too v

What are you even saying here? That training a dog isn't necessary? I really hope not...

Have you ever even had a cat?

TheOtherMike posted...

What? No, the conversation is which requires more work. Who said anything about exclusively indoor/outdoor work?

And on most days with a cat you only have to fill the bowls. Well, that and play time, which is something else dogs objectively require more of.

What are you even saying here? That training a dog isn't necessary? I really hope not...

Have you ever even had a cat?

Im just arguing the bare minimum with both animals. Because if you add anything else to it, it's harder to be objective. Plus, Im assuming animals that are naturally well behaved. Cause if I compare dogs to the hellcat I had, it wouldn't be fair lol. Just like it wouldn't be fair to compare a naturally well behaved cat to a overly curious dog. So, if the dog and cat are already well behaved and not tearing up stuff and what not, the work is pretty similar.

TheOtherMike posted...

Have you ever even had a cat?

I had a kitten I had to feed with a bottle and rub to go to the bathroom >_>. Im not counting that process tho, since that's on the original owners fault for giving away the kitten too early. I left to Cali for a little over a month. My mom took care of it. When I got back, it was full grown and a hellcat lol. But Im not using that as an example the same way I wouldn't want someone to use a bad experience with a dog as the average experience. Then i took care of other cats and Im around them all the time at other people's houses. They constantly talk about them and give me insight

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Im just arguing the bare minimum with both animals.

"The bare minimum" would be neglectful and abusive.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Because if you add anything else to it, it's harder to be objective.

False. I'm arguing the actual needs of the animals. Dogs need walks. Cats do not. Dogs need to be let out multiple times per day. Cats do not. Dogs need more play time than cats. Dogs need more training than cats. These are objective facts.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Plus, Im assuming animals that are naturally well behaved. Cause if I compare dogs to the hellcat I had, it wouldn't be fair lol. Just like it wouldn't be fair to compare a naturally well behaved cat to a overly curious dog. So, if the dog and cat are already well behaved and not tearing up stuff and what not, the work is pretty similar.

I already addressed this.

TheOtherMike posted...

It really isn't. It's literally a function of how much time and physical exertion the animal requires. In that regard, dogs are objectively far more work than cats. Exceptions exist, of course (like rehabbing a stray/feral cat vs rehoming a well-trained shelter dog), but generally speaking they're not even the same ballpark.

I dunno. I feel like we're just splitting hairs at this point. You consider stuff work that I don't. Which is fine. I don't count just moving your body as work. Just cause you're not sitting down doesn't mean it's considered work imo. Walking is a hobby.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

You consider stuff work that I don't. Which is fine.

No. I consider expending effort work. I enjoy the things I do with my cat and my dogs, but that doesn't change the fact that the dogs indisputably require more from me than the cat. I really don't understand how you're getting hung up on this. Enjoying an activity has nothing to do with how much work it requires.

cats are more maintenance when it comes to cleaning up after them

TheOtherMike posted...

No. I consider expending effort work. I enjoy the things I do with my cat and my dogs, but that doesn't change the fact that the dogs indisputably require more from me than the cat. I really don't understand how you're getting hung up on this. Enjoying an activity has nothing to do with how much work it requires.

You're also hung up on the semantics of what qualifies as "work". Im trying to drop it. It takes 2. We qualify "work" as different things. Everything else we probably don't disagree on

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Im trying to drop it. It takes 2.

It very thoroughly and obviously does not.

Lost_All_Senses posted...

You're also hung up on the semantics of what qualifies as "work".

No, you're just trying to replace its actual definition with your own. You're adding an emotional component that doesn't exist.

ya i love having an animal that i forget about 90% of the time until i have to clean out a box of its ****

DrizztLink posted...

It very thoroughly and obviously does not.

Lol. True. I was just trying to say he could drop it too. But you're right, saying it that way didn't make sense.

IdiotMachine posted...

You just train your cat not to jump on things you don't want them to. My cats are trained to not jump on anything but their stuff (like cat tree). They don't even jump on the couch.

It's easy to train cats with proper tools and patience, just like training dogs. I loved dogs and would love to have them now, but can't find the time to take care of them now as an adult with a full time job. I don't know how people do it.

Lmao.

I gave up on fighting that battle years ago

Cats are just the superior pet and there's really no way around it.

Now don't get me wrong, I do like dogs, but they have a lot of up-keep associated with them which cats just don't need. And cats are just as affectionate as dogs overall, just not as overtly most of the time.

Just don't be a jerk and declaw your cat. It kind of ruins them.

masticatingman posted...

Cats are just the superior pet and there's really no way around it.

Now don't get me wrong, I do like dogs, but they have a lot of up-keep associated with them which cats just don't need. And cats are just as affectionate as dogs overall, just not as overtly most of the time.

Just don't be a jerk and declaw your cat. It kind of ruins them.

We had to declaw our cats, they were scratching up everything. And they get along just fine with the dogs (having lived alongside them almost the cats' entire lives.

TyVulpine posted...

We had to declaw our cats, they were scratching up everything.

Don't prioritize your furniture over your pets' literal health and well-being. Learn how to train your cats to scratch on scratching posts. It's literally easier than training a dog to "sit."

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


This.

TheOtherMike posted...

Don't prioritize your furniture over your pets' literal health and well-being. Learn how to train your cats to scratch on scratching posts. It's literally easier than training a dog to "sit."

We got them several cat towers with scratching areas on them, but they still continued to scratch up the walls.

TheOtherMike posted...

Don't prioritize your furniture over your pets' literal health and well-being. Learn how to train your cats to scratch on scratching posts. It's literally easier than training a dog to "sit."

For real. My cat can't be trained not to jump wherever the fuck he pleases but he doesn't scratch shit hes not supposed to.

Declawing is bs and its not necessary if you give your cat shit that it can scratch and give it enough time for play and attention and shit.

I've seen people trim the claws instead, is that better?

Like you do for a dog, carefully and sure to only cut the keratin and not the wick.

Oh yeah, I know declawing is cruel.

I just didn't know the mechanics for trimming for cats, if the retractable nature or something makes it different compared to dogs.

DrizztLink posted...

I've seen people trim the claws instead, is that better?

Like you do for a dog, carefully and sure to only cut the keratin and not the wick.

That's okay imo. But you have to know where to cut it. Walter had his claws cut a couple times when he went to the vet and I'm not gonna anymore cause he would leap and try to grab shit and for a few days he didn't have the grip to do it and he fell and he was getting so frustrated. Lol.

But like most cats don't jump to the top of their 6 foot cat tree and grab climb the top so...

I don't really get the arguments on the letting them out thing for a dog. If it's not poo it takes like 30 seconds outside, couple minutes for poo.

Walking with them is a separate thing, but it takes like an hour out of the day tops, pending on breed?

Only extra work I've seen in the care between dogs n cats is in cleaning up after them.

CanuckCowboy posted...

Lmao.

I gave up on fighting that battle years ago

All you need are these two tools:
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Deterrent-Activated-Repellent-Environmentally/dp/B0721735K9/
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-ScatMat-Training-Correction-Furniture/dp/B08KJQYWRW/

My cats never tried jumping on the couch, counters, or tables again after getting shocked. And they don't go anywhere near cables (like behind the tv) anymore after getting sprayed in the face with the Ssscat. They also don't go past doorways into our rooms, even with the door open, because of Ssscat lol.

They're smarter than people give them credit.