There has always been an age-old controversy over which animal makes a better pet: cats or dogs. I have personally always been on the dog side of the argument until recently when I lived with a roommate who had two cats. Now, in a perfect world, I wouldn’t choose between the two — I would have both. I’m going to attempt to break down the differences between the two animals and why even though they are different, they are both still great pets. Now keep in mind, I am only making these observations off of animals I have had experience with. I know every animal has its own personality and might not fit exactly into what I have come to experience.

Independent vs. Dependent

One of the best things about cats is that they are basically self-sufficient. They can pretty much do their own thing if you provide them with the resources to do it. Give a cat food, water, and a litter box and they can survive the apocalypse. Dogs, on the other hand, I have found to be pretty needy creatures. They need to be exercised, let out to use the bathroom, fed and constantly loved on. Some people like the perks of an independent animal while others like having a pet who needs them.

Protective vs. Passive

One of my favorite aspects of owning a dog is that I feel much more secure having a dog in the house. Even if they aren’t aggressive, there is just something about having a big animal living with you that makes you feel more confident. Although cats can leave some lethal scratch marks on you, they just don’t pack the same punch as having a dog by your side. Cats would more than likely stand to the side and watch if anything ever took place where you actually needed protection.

Loud vs. Quiet

In all my years of owning pets, I have found that dogs are just naturally loud animals. They bark, they pant, and some dogs are loud just walking around the house. I personally don’t mind this, but I know some people who prefer quieter animals. Cats are naturally stealth. They are so quiet that sometimes you don't even realize that they’re there.

Family Oriented vs. Bonded to One Person

This is one of the comparisons that I think really depends on the animal and could be totally different. But from what I have experienced, I have found that dogs seem to love everybody as long as they are getting attention. A cat seems to have a special bond with one certain person and anyone else doesn’t really matter as much to them.

Loves Unconditionally vs. Fickle

This is one of the reasons dogs have always been a little bit more appealing to me than cats. If you take care of a dog and treat it right, it will love you unconditionally. It will always be your best friend and will do anything to please you. A cat is a little bit different. You could take the best care of it in the world and try to love it every day and it will still treat you like you’re the best person ever one day and completely irrelevant the next. You can never quite know how a cat feels about you while you always know a dog loves you more than anything else in its life.

Obedient vs. Obstinate

Dogs are incredibly smart and obedient animals, while cats are incredibly intelligent animals that aren’t to be controlled by anyone. Dogs can be taught tricks and commands while cats aren’t really about that life. They would rather just do their own thing than listen to a silly human.

At the end of the day, both cats and dogs are very cool animals that both make excellent pets. Depending on your lifestyle and your personality, you might be a dog person, you might be a cat person, or you might be like me who likes both equally. All of the traits I mentioned can be a great thing depending on what you're looking for in a pet. Always think very hard about the decision you are making when you get a pet because they are a lifetime commitment. It is very important to choose a pet that best fits into your life.