Cats vs Dogs: The Main Differences and Similarities

Without a doubt, cats and dogs are two animals that rule the world, figuratively speaking. They simply make our lives better. Whether you are a cat person or a dog person you would probably agree with this statement. Even though both are great to have as pets, there are some differences, but also similarities between them.

So, let’s see - Cats vs Dogs: What are the main differences and similarities between them? If you are wondering which is the best pet for me then you should be aware of their characteristics.

Differences in Care for Cats and Dogs

When comparing cats and dogs the most important aspects to look at are the ways we care about them and what they require from us. Let’s break it down and examine the differences and similarities between these two animals.

Feeding

In general, cats eat less than dogs partially due to the fact that cats are much smaller in size than most dogs. Both cats and dogs eat dry and wet food, however, the ingredients of cat food and dog food are different.

Cats need from 250 to 300 calories per day as opposed to dogs who usually require a bigger amount of food. For dogs, it depends on their size, so the measurement would be from 25 to 40 calories per pound of weight.

Grooming

The main segment of pet grooming is bathing and cleaning. Cats don’t require to be bathed that often as they clean themselves regularly. Still, the long-haired cats need to be brushed more frequently than the short-haired ones.

Dogs, on the other hand, require more frequent baths and grooming. They are not that skilled in keeping themselves clean as cats are. In addition, both cats and dogs need to be protected from lice, ticks, and other pests, as well as parasites.

Training

It’s very important for your pets to be trained well for living in your home. They need to learn to use a litter box, not to break things, or use their toys for fun. Cats don’t need special training for using a litter box for example. All you need to do is get them one and they will start using it immediately. Cats are more hygienic in general, so it can rarely happen that a cat makes a mess on your floor or bed.

But you would need to spend around two months training your dog to the rules of your home and control its habits.

Pet Equipment

In this area, both pets need a similar type of equipment. You would need to provide a food and water bowl for cats and dogs, toys, and chews.

One main difference would be that cats need a scratching post that they could use to sharpen their claws, while dogs need a collar and a leash for walks.

Space

One of the most important things to consider when getting a pet is the space that you live in. If you own a dog you need to provide a much bigger space to allow them to run and play. An ideal scenario would be to live in a house with a bigger yard where the dog would have plenty of space for games. Of course, you can even consider looking for the best dogs for condo and apartment living, such as Dachshund and Yorkshire Terriers.

Cats can easily live indoors without the need to go outside. Therefore, you can have a cat if you live in a smaller house or apartment as long as they have their litter box and some toys to play with there.

General Behavior

What are the main differences and similarities between cats and dogs in their general behavior? - The answer to this question can’t be taken for granted, as there are some cat breeds that may have similar behavior to certain dog breeds. So, here we’ll examine them as a whole.

For instance, dogs are more active pets in general. They like to play a lot and are usually active during the day. Dogs are very happy to see their owners and express their love and happiness explicitly by barking and jumping around people. These pets may even encourage you to be more active as they require regular daily walks which may motivate you to become more active with them.

Contrary to them, cats spend most of their time asleep, especially during the day. Cats sleep for an average of 20 hours per day and are usually active during the nighttime.

Body Language

As we are all aware cats and dogs can’t talk, so their only way of communication with people is through body language. And here is where the main differences between them lie - above all, cats meow and dogs bark.

Also, wagging the tail has a different meaning for both felines and canines. When a dog is wagging its tail it means that something made him happy and he is showing some form of enthusiasm. While cats quite the opposite wag their tails when they are not happy with something you do. That usually means - leave me alone!

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