Cats vs Dogs
(Point-Counterpoint) 

 By: Lillian Fritz '32 and Ezri Watt '32

The fight between dogs and cats has been going on for centuries and it's about time we try and figure which one is better. First up is dogs, with Lillian Fritz stepping in the ring to go against Ezri Watt, fighting for cats. Ezri and Lily both strongly believe that cats are better than dogs or dogs are better than cats. Both are also proud owners of the pet that they are supporting. So, let’s see who has a more compelling argument.

Dogs (Lillian)

One of the many reasons dogs are better than cats is that they are very protective of their owners and have natural guard instincts. So evidence includes a clip from this article ‘10 Compelling Reasons Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats’

 written by Jenna Stegowski on the website ‘The Spruce Pets’. “Most dogs will instinctively protect their owners and their territory. They'll bark or growl to alert you to the presence of strangers, and many will even scare off intruders. 

Dogs can sense our fear, and they'll respond if they think we feel threatened.” Which also makes them excellent therapy and even service dogs. They can also be seizure alert dogs, due to their sense of smell which can detect a change in a human right before a seizure, saving many lives.

 While dogs need to be taken on walks, they only need to be taken out about 3 times a day, and while the litter boxes are easier, they also track litter all over the house and smell really, really, really, bad, which makes it hard to find a place to put them.

Dogs are generally more social and have a better attitude, while cats are more independent and might be more low maintenance, dogs provide unconditional love and trainability. Dogs also have more loyalty and a stronger emotional bond with their owners, while cats go wherever there is warmth. Dogs also require regular exercise which can motivate their owners to have a more healthy and active lifestyle.

Dogs are typically easier to train because of their eagerness to please and pack mentality. While cats are naturally more independent and have less of a need to please their owners. Dogs are also easier to train 

Cats (Ezri)

Fatalities

Dogs vs. cats. We all know that more people will vote for the dogs. But really, why? It is common for the topic of dogs saving people to come up, and it would be great if that were really the truth, but lifesaving heroes are far from the whole story. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 65 people are killed by dogs each year in the USA, and 30,000 are killed a year worldwide, according to Statista. Unfortunately, these numbers tower over the amounts of people actually saved by dogs. Cats, on the other hand, kill less than one person a year. Whether or not you actually prefer cats, the facts are the facts.

Easier to Own

If your parents say that you are only allowed to get a pet if you take care of it, choose a cat over a dog. Cats can just have food placed on a mat, and they will eat as much as is good for their bodies. Dogs don’t have the brain wiring to stop eating at the right point, and more complicated eating setups are usually necessary for the dog’s health. There is the aspect of having to walk dogs as well, while cats can be walked, but they don’t need to be.

Felines have a more affordable original price, and they cost less to buy necessities for. Furthermore, they take up less space and are quiet.

Possibly the most important reason that a cat is an easier pet than a dog is the amount of stuff dogs destroy. They chew on toys, eat shoes, scratch furniture, munch on remote controls, and rip books apart. Cats rough up carpets and sometimes make holes in windowscreens, but that’s nothing in comparison.

Misunderstandings

It’s a common misconception that cats don’t care about their owners, but people really don’t have that correct. Cats are naturally independent, but if you are respectful of and nice to your cat, she will love you back. No, cats aren’t as hard-wired to go to the ends of the earth to please their humans as dogs are, but there are ways that your kitty shows her affection for you.

If she wants to play with you, your cat will sit on the paper you’re writing on, the computer you're typing on, or the laundry you’re putting away. Cats will lay down with their bellies up if they want to just be near you, but not necessarily get petted. They will also scratch your pants to get your attention. Some will sit on laps, but it depends on the cat and her personality. Really, people who don’t have cats don’t understand how nice it can be to have one around. People who don’t have cats think they are boring, but as I know as a cat owner, there is no way this is true. My cat plays games with us, randomly attacks objects (including a dent in the wall), and gets in the strangest positions.

Besides, not all dogs care about us as much as we tend to think. A lot of dogs care a lot more about food than they do about you.

A lot is assumed about dogs and cats, and it isn’t fair to the animals. The stuff about dogs is generally positive, but the things people think about cats are generally negative. People say cats can’t be trained, but my aunt trained her cat to shake hands, salute, and a lot of other cool tricks.