Cats are animals that must be understood in order to have a healthy relationship. Dogs are loyal no matter what, whereas cats seem to act as if they need to earn your respect. They are just as loyal but their genetic make-up creates an illusion that they are more independent.
Canines are attached to people, as they have been in the past with packs. Felines are attached to places, they are very territorial and even though it looks like they don't care about their human partner, the truth is they are just more in tune to their surroundings.
Have you ever moved with a cat? They need a few days of sniffing around, readjusting and hiding until they get used to their new surroundings, dogs, follow right along, go where you go no questions asked.
As far as pets go, both are wonderful, but some people lean more towards one or the other. I am more of a cat person. Dogs are great, but usually shed, are more hyper, need more attention and you have to let them outside to potty. If you need to go on a trip without the dog, you have to find a sitter or kennel. Dogs just aren't as self sufficient as cats.
With a cat you can leave town and leave food there without worring it's been eaten in one sitting as a dog would do. You can go 2-3 days without cleaning the litter box, which is fine if you just need a quick getaway, if you will be longer, you ask someone to come by and clean it out or leave an extra littler box nearby.
You don't have to worry about barking and marking all over your house. Male cats will mark at times but as with dogs it's usually fixed when they are very small and are neutered, or if there is no other animal around for him to compete with.
They can be very easily trained to use their scratching post. Cats give off a scent from their claws/paws and their gums, so when you see a cat rubbing his mouth on something or scratching it, he's marking it. If you start gently pressing their paws and making the claws extend you can gently rub their paws on an approved scratching post. Then after repeatedly doing this and praising, the cat will be attracted to the place he/she has left a scent, and is praised for using.
When it comes to a pet, cats are the best, they somehow instinctively seem to know when you are resting, laying around or just need a friend. They arrive within minutes purring and circling your legs, laying on your lap or just next to you in bed.
I gave an eight-week-old kitten to my three-year-old and since we have another cat and dog, she was used to being around animals her whole life. I put Holly-Kitty in her bed numerous times when she was there and not there. I rubbed her stuffed animal on her and let the kitten get used to her scent. Withing a month the cat was curling up in my toddler's bed every chance she got. Over the last couple years this cat has let my daughter tote her around, drag her everywhere, plunking her into rocking chairs, baby strollers, and her toy box. She just gets this look of “here we go again” and hangs her little paws over my daughter's arms. The minute she goes to sleep, that cat comes as if from nowhere to cuddle up on her chest or next to her side purring and sleeping.
Cats seem standoffish and do seem to have only one or two people they really trust, but if you respect them, they will come to you when they want and when you need them. They will be the best friend you or your child will have for many many years.
