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I'm in the middle of a national book tour for " Your Cat: The Owner's Manual." This time last year, I toured for the companion book, "Your Dog: The Owner's Manual." I'm often asked if I'm a "dog person" or a "cat person," and as a veterinarian, I have to say I haven't any preference.

On our Almost Heaven Ranch in north Idaho, in fact, the score is dead even: four dogs, four cats.

But I don't see cats and dogs as being the same. They need different things from me as a veterinarian, and they behave very differently from each other. For example, the tendency of cats to hide their illness is one reason why they don't go to the veterinarian as often as they should; their unhappiness at leaving their home is another.

Just for fun, I decided to think about how dogs and cats differ in terms of a competition. If we had pet Olympics, would dogs take home the most gold, or would cats?

Rate the Competitors

To determine which is the "better" pet, let's see how cats and dogs stack up in five categories: vision, smell, speed, endurance and intelligence.

Vision. Cats win this one. Both animals are predators, which means their visual acumen stresses movement over detail. Neither cats nor dogs are going to read the type on road signs, and their color vision isn't as strong as ours, but a quick movement will get noticed even if it's minor. But give the gold to the cats for their ability to see in far less light. When the mousies come out to play at dusk, the cats are ready for them. A twitch of a whisker or a tiny movement in the leaves can be seen in near-darkness.

Smell. Dogs even the score with their sense of smell. There's a reason why you don't see drug-sniffing cats, and it's not just because cats aren't exactly amenable to clocking in for a 9-to-5 shift at the police station. While cats have a better sense of smell than humans do - really, we're pretty worthless in the nose department - the canine sense of smell is nothing short of astonishing. Most dogs have a face that's really nothing but nose, and their ability to detect and distinguish odors is in the range of four times better than a cat's.

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Dogs vs. Cats: Which Pet Is Better for You?

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I'm in the middle of a national book tour for " Your Cat: The Owner's Manual." This time last year, I toured for the companion book, "Your Dog: The Owner's Manual." I'm often asked if I'm a "dog person" or a "cat person," and as a veterinarian, I have to say I haven't any preference.

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Comparison chart

How to choose

When choosing between a cat or a dog, you should consider how much time you can dedicate to the pet (dogs require more time than cats, and don't like to be left home alone), how much you can afford to spend (dogs are more expensive than cats), and what temperament of pet you would before (dogs are more needy and affectionate than independent cats).

When choosing a cat, consider whether you want to get a purebred cat from a breeder, or rescue a cat from an animal shelter. If you are not getting a kitten, consider whether you want an indoor or an outdoor cat and choose accordingly, as certain cats will be trained for different situations. Different breeds have different temperaments, but they vary less than dogs. For example, Siamese cats are intelligent and playful, but can be very noisy, while long-haired cats are laid back and short haired cats are usually affectionate and even-tempered. Individual cats also have different personalities, so interact with them before taking them home. Consider the hair length you can handle, as longer fur, such as the fur of a Maine Coon, Persian or Ragdoll, will require daily brushing.

When choosing a dog, consider its size. Larger dogs, such as a German Shepherd or a Labrador, need more space and cost more to feed and care for. Some breeds, such as Labradors, Corgis and Spaniels, are also easier to train than others, and have more friendly temperaments. Take into account the length of the dog's fur, as those with longer coats will need more regular grooming. Although purebreds are popular, they can suffer from greater temperament and health problems. Mixed breed dogs usually have fewer health problems and can be adopted more cheaply from shelters.

Care

Equipment

Cats require a food and water bowl, a litter box, a few toys and scratching posts, and a brush for grooming.

Dogs require a food and water bowl, a leash and collar, a dog bed, toys and chews and treats.

Feeding

The amount a cat needs to eat varies depending on its size, but cats require less food than most all dogs. Cat food comes in dry or canned wet form. Adult cats require between 250 and 300 calories per day.

The amount a dog eats depends on its size. Commercial dog food comes in both dry and wet forms, and most dogs need between 25 and 30 calories per pound per day.

Grooming

Cats do not need bathing, but they should be brushed regularly if they have long hair.

Dogs -especially those with long hair - need grooming and bathing frequently.

Both cats and dogs can get infected with ticks, lice, fleas and other pests. When this happens, disinfectants like Frontline or Advantix are required to rid the pets of the infection. Some of these chemicals contain harmful pesticides. Care must also be taken to ensure Advantix is used only on dogs because it is very dangerous for cats.

Health

The average life expectancy of cats is around 12 to 14 years, but they can live into their 20s or even their 30s. Medical costs for cats are around $160 per year.

The life expectancy of dogs - usually 7 to 14 years - varies depending on the breed, with larger breeds tending to have shorter lives, akin to the lifespan of wolves. The oldest dog was 29 years old. Medical costs for dogs vary depending on size and existing health conditions but will usually be at least $200 for dental cleanings and vaccines.

House Training

Cats usually already know how to use a litterbox or can easily be trained to use their litterbox. This requires cleaning once a day.

Dogs need to be trained, socialized and housebroken. Training usually takes around 2 months.

Protection

Dogs can function as watchdogs or guard dogs, protecting their owner and the house.

Space

Cats can live in smaller areas, while dogs generally need more space to run around. Cats can be kept indoors, but dogs need to be taken for regular walks - at least twice a day.

Tricks

Although some cats will learn to do tricks, they do them to please themselves, not their owners, and so are more difficult to train.

Most dogs can be trained to do some tricks with patience.

Your Work

As dogs need more personal attention than cats, they are less well suited to people who travel a lot or work long hours. Dogs should preferably not be left home alone all day, while cats will cope.

Cost

According to the ASPCA, a typical cat costs $670 per year, including food, litter and medical costs.

A small dog cost approximately $580, while a medium sized dog costs $695 and a large dog costs $875.

Popular breeds

The most popular cat breeds in the US are the Persian, the Maine Coon, the Exotic and the Siamese.

The most popular breeds of dog in the US are Labrador Retriever (with over 123,000 registered individuals), Yorkshire Terrier (48,346), German Shepherd (43,629) and Golden Retriever (42,962).

Statistics

According to US census data, there are around 86.4 million pet cats in the US. 33% of households in the US own at least one cat. On average, cat owners have two cats.

There are approximately 78.2 million pet dogs in the US. 39% of US households own at least one dog. On average, dog owners have one dog.

AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association ) statistics are slightly different - about 74 million cats and 70 million dogs. Dogs are found in more American households than cats but cat-owners tend to own a larger number of cats on average and so the over all population is larger for cats than dogs.

Common Games

Cats enjoy simple games that allow them to stalk and pounce. Popular games include bouncing a ping-pong ball on the floor for the cat to jump after, rolling a crumpled ball of paper along the floor, dragging ribbon along the floor, or playing hide and seek.

Dogs enjoy games that allow them to run and chase. As well as playing "fetch," dogs enjoy playing tug-of-war, hide and seek, find the treat, and running races.

References

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Cat vs Dog comparison. Cats and dogs are the most popular pets in the world. Cats are more independent and are generally cheaper and less demanding pets. Dogs are loyal and obedient but require more attention and exercise, including regular walks. How to choose When choosing b...

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Is it time to revisit the age-old debate of who's better, cats or dogs? I think so. Let's look at the pros and cons of each, plus popularity and cost.

It's time to revisit the age-old debate about which pet makes the better companion. By looking at the pros and cons of each animal, popularity and cost, maybe we can finally determine who's better, cats or dogs.

Pros

Dogs are true companions and love to be an integral part of their owners' lives. Dogs can accompany you on long walks and are always visibly happy when you get home.

Another pro about dogs is that they can be trained to protect your home, keeping you safe from harm.

Cats are a very different breed and have very different pros. Cats have the advantage of being able to take care of themselves for more than 24 hours, which is a huge plus for busy owners.

Cats are also sneaky mouse hunters, and can therefore save you money on mouse traps. Finally, cats have the ability to clean themselves, which saves you a lot of money on grooming costs.

Cons

If you have a dog, you know how much fun it is to play with your furry friend and make sure he's getting exercise. Dogs are extremely energetic and require regular exercise, rain or shine. This means that even on the rainiest or coldest days, you have to take them for walks.

They also love to chew on things, even if those things are your favorite slippers and other personal belongings. Finally, dogs are known for digging, and they do it anywhere they have the opportunity to. Yes, even the backyard you've been spending all your time manicuring.

Meanwhile, cats are independent animals who may ignore you for extended periods of time. They need an indoor bathroom, which isn't exactly something nice to have lying around your house. Cats are mysterious creatures, and love to climb the back of your couch, even if that means destroying the couch.

Popularity

In terms of popularity, cats rule and dogs drool? Well, not necessarily. Let's look closely at the numbers first.

Yes, it's true that there are 86.4 million owned cats in the United States versus 78.2 million owned dogs.

But there are more homes with multiple cats, as opposed to dog owners, who apparently find it easier to just have one dog. For every owner, there are 2.2 cats and 1.7 dogs, which means that only 39 million households have cats versus 46 million households that have dogs.

So let's call it a draw in terms of cat and dog popularity.

Cost

Looking at annual and one-time costs, we find that dogs are significantly more expensive to own than cats. A medium-size dog may cost you nearly $1,600 during its first year, a price that includes food, insurance, toys/treats, vet visits, grooming, etc. A cat's first year, on the other hand, will set you back around $1,000 and includes food, insurance, litter, toys/treats and vet visits.

So, Who's Better - Cats or Dogs?

In the end, it's not about which animal is better; it's about which animal is better for you.

By comparing the pros and cons, such as those above, you can determine which pet is a better fit for your lifestyle and budget. For example, If you're a busy body who can't afford to bring a dog with you everywhere, considering a cat might be a good idea.

Whichever animal you choose, keep in might that both cats and dogs are lovable creatures that deserve good homes! Also, please consider adoption over buying a pet.

Additional Resources
This featured contribution was written by Jessica McNeal, a freelance writer and animal lover, on behalf of Ketchum Mfg. Co. Jessica has a cat AND a dog.

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Is it time to revisit the age-old debate of who's better, cats or dogs? I think so. Let's look at the pros and cons of each, plus popularity and cost. It's time to revisit the age-old debate about which pet makes the better companion.

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Feline vs Canine

Feline and canines are primarily cats and dogs, and there are many differences between them, which are always interesting to discuss. Particularly, feline and canine mean the taxonomic families of Felidae and Canidae. The morphological and behavioral differences between them are usually familiar among most of the public. However, the reasons for these interesting behavioral differences are not much common, and those are discussed in this article, in addition to the presented comparison at the end.
Feline
According to most of the descriptions, feline refers to the biologically classified taxonomic family of Felidae. Usually, all the felids are colloquially known as cats or at least cat-like mammals. Felids are strictly carnivorous mammals except the domesticated cats. Most of the features of the felids have been adapted to live a carnivorous lifestyle; extra-large canine teeth, evolutionarily developed blending colors with the environment, binocular vision, strong jaws, powerful jaw muscles, padded paws, and retractable claws are few among their carnivorous adaptations. They vastly vary in their sizes, and it is quite clear when the size difference between a domesticated cat and a Bengal tiger is considered. Felids could be described as a very adaptive group of animals when their coat of fur is considered, and it matters a lot for them to live a successful life in different environmental conditions. Their fur coats have become considerably thick in the cold climates to provide insulation to help keep them warm. In addition, the color of the coat varies according to the environmental colors, so that it would be difficult for their prey animals to spot them. The black color tear stripe, from the corner of the eye to the underside of the muzzle, of the felids is unique. They are gifted with binocular vision, an improved night vision, and sensitive ears for high frequencies. Felids are usually territorial and prefer a lonely or solitary lifestyle. That is the main reason that cats do not prefer to leave their house. As their looks depict, felids are proud creatures with a unique combination of behaviors including intimidating roars in big cats.
Canine
Canines are members of the taxonomic order Canidae, which includes dogs and other dog-like creatures such as jackals, foxes, coyotes, and wolves. Canines can be found in many kinds of habitats ranging from deserts to mountains, rainforests, and cold climates. An interesting fact about canids is that they could be either carnivorous or omnivorous, and they are gifted with many adaptations for those feeding behaviors. However, their claws are not retractile. The presence of prominent canine teeth with generally long snout could be considered as noticeable features of canids. Usually, their tails are bushy, and the ears are large. Most of them are social and live and work in packs. Dominant male and female usually take part in mating, and a copulatory tie is formed and lasts for about an hour because of the erection of the curved penis bone. Canines use scent signals, gestures, visual clues, facial expressions, howls, barks, and growls to communicate with themselves as well as other animals. Their gesturing has been one of the reasons for the affectionate of dogs and ease of training. Since, they love to live in packs, the domestic dogs have great bonds with their owners but not with the house.

What is the difference between Feline and Canine?

* Usually canines are group living animals while felines are solitary. Therefore, cats love the house while dogs love the owners.

* Canines bark, growl, and woof. In contrast, felines can vocally communicate through roars, meows, or purrs.

* Dogs need to be cared, whereas cats are independent animals.

* Dogs are affectionate, whereas cats are proud creatures.

* Felines have the binocular vision but not the canines.

* Felines are strictly carnivorous (except cats) while canines are either omnivorous or carnivorous.

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Difference Between Feline and Canine - DifferenceBetween.com

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Feline vs Canine Feline and canines are primarily cats and dogs, and there are many differences between them, which are always interesting to discuss. Particularly, feline and canine mean the taxonomic families of Felidae and Canidae. The morphological and behavioral differences between them are usually familiar among most of the public.