Dog person? Cat person? Why?

[JMohegan]

I don't mind people with outside cats as long as they are fixed. We've got a lot of breeding cats in the neighborhood. One family was really bad about it but they finally moved. The cat I got my kitten from was pregnant when she was nursing these. Now she is about to have another litter. The old man that feeds her says it isn't his and won't get it fixed. My neighbor knows someone at a vet office that might get the little whore fixed for free.

Is it possible to train a cat not to poop in other people's yards? I don't let my pet poop on other people's property, and expect my neighbors to return the favor.

Is it possible to train cats not to assault wildlife? I don't mind hawks or other natural predators picking off cottontails, chipmunks, or songbirds in my yard. Everybody's gotta eat, and that's a circle of life kind of thing. But if Princess has got a nice bowl of Friskies waiting for her at home, that sort of thing seriously pisses me off.

 

[FurryFury]

It pisses me off when a dog owner encourage the dog to poop in my yard and then doesn't clean it UP!

I don't like cats hunting in my yard either.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I'm an animal person so choice, especially between a dog and cat is not really my thing. I do though tend to go for cats above dogs if I can only have one or the other because I love their independent spirit, love they do not demand and need your undivided attention 24/7, and can be left for a couple of days with food and water and not feel they have been punished. I am not sure I can agree cats do not bond with you like a dog. I have one at the moment who follows me everywhere, even to the bathroom...not for attention but just to be near me. They both are usualy near where I am, but the calico has developed some very special ways such as coming over to where I am on the computer or couch and leaning her head ever so slightly so I will lean mine also and then she bangs her head on mine as a show of affection....sometimes 4-5 times!! They also know if I am more than a little unwell and will against the rules of F come into our bedroom and sit beside the bed keeping an eye on me....it is sweet really. If I am OK, they will not come in.

Catalina

 

[Netzach]

Is it possible to train a cat not to poop in other people's yards?

Yes. It's called indoor cat.

And it's better for cat longevity and health. I'm not a born-free kind of person. It's a domestic cat, and it's elated to get three squares and not be squished by a car, but that's just my personal opinion.

If you have a barn that needs ridding of something, then an outdoor cat is justifiable. If not, I think cats are better inside.

 

[Netzach]

Yes, that's different.

A broken dog is listless, wary, fearful most of the time. Outright cowers in response to certain words, tone, or gestures.

A broken dog has an owner (or former owner) who needs to be shot straight through the head.


Some dogs are transported in cages, and that's usually fine.

A dog that lives in a cage in somebody's apartment or house has an owner too lazy or stupid to train the pet properly, and too selfish to own a pet in the first place.

What about dogs that *like* crating? And yes, some do, actually. They feel more chill and more protected and more secure.

Just like some people.

 

[Netzach]

Is it possible to train a cat not to poop in other people's yards? I don't let my pet poop on other people's property, and expect my neighbors to return the favor.

Is it possible to train cats not to assault wildlife? I don't mind hawks or other natural predators picking off cottontails, chipmunks, or songbirds in my yard. Everybody's gotta eat, and that's a circle of life kind of thing. But if Princess has got a nice bowl of Friskies waiting for her at home, that sort of thing seriously pisses me off.

I've seen so many dog-mauled bunnies around here it's not funny, simply because dogs seem to outnumber ourtoor cats a million to one. You can be walking the nicest dog on a leash and in 2 seconds find out that you've got White Fang if a young squirrel gets too close.

 

[Netzach]

I'm an animal person so choice, especially between a dog and cat is not really my thing. I do though tend to go for cats above dogs if I can only have one or the other because I love their independent spirit, love they do not demand and need your undivided attention 24/7, and can be left for a couple of days with food and water and not feel they have been punished. I am not sure I can agree cats do not bond with you like a dog. I have one at the moment who follows me everywhere, even to the bathroom...not for attention but just to be near me. They both are usualy near where I am, but the calico has developed some very special ways such as coming over to where I am on the computer or couch and leaning her head ever so slightly so I will lean mine also and then she bangs her head on mine as a show of affection....sometimes 4-5 times!! They also know if I am more than a little unwell and will against the rules of F come into our bedroom and sit beside the bed keeping an eye on me....it is sweet really. If I am OK, they will not come in.

Catalina

Cats seem to be nature's nurses.

Maybe they're just hoping I'll die of the flu so they can eat me faster, but it's really sweet how they just know when you're feeling like crap and come and purr on you, even the more asocial ones.

 

[Keroin]

You have never experienced fire ants I bet. If there is a hell that's where they came from. I didn't growing up. Now they are everywhere and heading north.

Oh I know all about fire ants, my friend. Accidentally stuck my hand and arm in a nest once...an experience not soon forgotten. But I don't dislike any any animal just because it does what it's meant to do. I've been stung, bitten and poisoned by a lot of beasties but I still love them.

Mozzies, however, serve no functional purpose on this planet, so I do openly hate them. (Science will back me up on this one).

 

[Keroin]

Darn, I have so much I want to add to this. I'll have to come back later.

 

[midwestyankee]

I had a gecko once and he wasn't even greedy.

Were I to live alone, apart from the current dogged family, I might choose a colorful pet rock. Maybe.

 

[Netzach]

I had a gecko once and he wasn't even greedy.

Were I to live alone, apart from the current dogged family, I might choose a colorful pet rock. Maybe.

NSA relationships with the critters only, eh?

 

[midwestyankee]

NSA relationships with the critters only, eh?

I don't even do one night stands with critters - well, I suppose a few mosquitoes might have slipped in for a quiet night supping on me but that's different.

 

[Cattypuss]

What about dogs that *like* crating? And yes, some do, actually. They feel more chill and more protected and more secure.

Just like some people.

Yes, some dogs love being crated. It fits with their den-instincts and allows them to feel secure and relaxed. I used to crate mine and I only weaned her off her crate for purely selfish reasons- I wanted my new kitchen-diner to look nice and a dog-basket in the corner looks better than a wire cage in the corner. She is happy now with her basket but she was very happy with her crate. I would lock her in it when I went out or at night and leave the door open at other times and she would often go in there to sleep in the day out of choice.

The only problem with crates is that so many people abuse them - leave the dog in them for too-long periods etc.

PS re. training/breaking...... I am a firm believer in positive-only training (ignore the bad, reward the good). I started with an extremely defiant, dominant, hard-edged puppy (the like of which I have never seen before or since) and gradually, through patience, kindness, consistent rules, positive reinforcement and consistent benign leadership, I got to the point where I had a well-behaved, happy, respectful, odedient... DELIGHT of a dog. Did I mention patience?

 

[JMohegan]

What about dogs that *like* crating? And yes, some do, actually. They feel more chill and more protected and more secure.

Just like some people.

Haha, true.

If the door's left open, I don't see anything wrong with a crate for a dog.

I've seen so many dog-mauled bunnies around here it's not funny, simply because dogs seem to outnumber ourtoor cats a million to one. You can be walking the nicest dog on a leash and in 2 seconds find out that you've got White Fang if a young squirrel gets too close.

True, though a well-trained dog won't turn into White Fang with it's owner on the other end of the leash.

From a personal yard perspective, the difference is that a fence keeps out the canines but not the cats.

 

[Netzach]

Haha, true.

If the door's left open, I don't see anything wrong with a crate for a dog.

True, though a well-trained dog won't turn into White Fang with it's owner on the other end of the leash.

From a personal yard perspective, the difference is that a fence keeps out the canines but not the cats.

This totally happened with my friend, A, and her dogs. I'd trust my hand in Sophie's mouth any day of the week even though she's half malamute. The other dog is a hound mix - nice dog, too. They made fast work of a squirrel before A even knew it was happening or could pull them back. These are very well-trained dogs, but they're still animals.

But yeah, you let your cat out and it's out.

I did see one cat tied on a long lead like you would with a dog, and he was fairly happy to snooze like that, though. I also saw someone walking her cat on a leash in my old 'hood and it's the only time I've ever seen a cat walk along like a dog on a leash, slightly out in front, and trotting along.

 

[Keroin]

You don't strike me as an aquarium type of person. I'm hoping this is a joke!

Or maybe you're talking about fish as "pets" in the same way I talk about the cottontails in my yard? Love watching them, feel protective of them, but would never lock one up.

Yes to the bold. No to any any wild animals in captivity, ever, unless it is for the protection of the animal. All the swimmers in the lagoon, like the cottontails in your yard, are my "pets", lol.

Birds in cages blows my mind. We call it the "gift" of flight for a reason. Taking that away seems beyond inhumane.

*Stopping myself before I rant *

 

[CurlyKat]

I did see one cat tied on a long lead like you would with a dog, and he was fairly happy to snooze like that, though. I also saw someone walking her cat on a leash in my old 'hood and it's the only time I've ever seen a cat walk along like a dog on a leash, slightly out in front, and trotting along.

We've done that with my cat. He likes to think he's all independent and an outdoor cat (interpretted as: escape artist and trip hazard), so whenever we're eating dinner outside or spending any other significant amount of time within our yard he's harnessed and then put on a leash tethered to yard furniture within the fenced yard. He gets to think he's free, we get to have silence from the constant begging to be out, and everyone's happy. He's not one to be walked, though.

 

[dearc]

Cat person big time. You can buy a dog's affection but a cat must accept you.

 

[Keroin]

My background = 5 years as a vet assistant in a small animal hospital, pet owner, nature freak.

The biggest problems with dogs tend to be noise and aggression; the biggest problem with cats tends to be environmental. Both problems stem from humans and also our overpopulation.

In the early days, when we were still nomadic or semi-nomadic, dogs functioned as hunters and protectors, cats were used to kill vermin. It was a symbiotic relationship that worked well because dogs had a clear position within the "pack" and healthy ways to burn off energy; cats, thanks to humans stocking food, had plenty of rats and mice to eat. Today, with population density what it is and the role of cats and dogs relegated to primarily companions, things have changed.

In my experience, most, (at least 70%), people who own pets should not. Period. They do not have the knowledge, skills, patience, or commitment it takes to care for a domesticated animal.

I have three responsibilities as a pet owner and I take all seriously:
1. To the animal
2. To anyone who might interact with the animal
3. To the environment

As these responsibilities relate to my cat:

1. She was spayed at six months, I feed her quality food, all her vaccinations are done on schedule, she receives regular deworming and de-fleaing and I do not hesitate to take her to the vet if she has any problem.

2. I trained her diligently with the litterbox; she will only not use one if she has no access to it. (Cats can be trained but it's a lot of work). If someone comes to stay with me who is allergic to cats, I clean the house thoroughly and keep my cat confined to a small area during the visit.

3. I keep a collar and bell on her at all times and her access to the outdoors is dependent on the environment. (In Mexico, for example, there was no shortage of mice and it was to both our advantage to have her roam free).

What I saw, continually, during my work at the animal hospital was the "Cute" effect. Most people are very enthused about their pets for the first year - though this enthusiasm translates primarily into affection and not good training - and then the novelty wears off and they come to view the pet as little more than a piece of furniture.

Put down the rocks, I'm not saying you are like this, I'm saying most of the pet owners I came into contact with, (and this was in a decent part of suburbia), were like this. My boss at the hospital gave the SPCA free services, so we dealt with them frequently. Abuse was not the most common problem - it was neglect. So sad.

 

[CurlyKat]

My background = 5 years as a vet assistant in a small animal hospital, pet owner, nature freak.

The biggest problems with dogs tend to be noise and aggression; the biggest problem with cats tends to be environmental. Both problems stem from humans and also our overpopulation.

In the early days, when we were still nomadic or semi-nomadic, dogs functioned as hunters and protectors, cats were used to kill vermin. It was a symbiotic relationship that worked well because dogs had a clear position within the "pack" and healthy ways to burn off energy; cats, thanks to humans stocking food, had plenty of rats and mice to eat. Today, with population density what it is and the role of cats and dogs relegated to primarily companions, things have changed.

In my experience, most, (at least 70%), people who own pets should not. Period. They do not have the knowledge, skills, patience, or commitment it takes to care for a domesticated animal.

I have three responsibilities as a pet owner and I take all seriously:
1. To the animal
2. To anyone who might interact with the animal
3. To the environment

As these responsibilities relate to my cat:

1. She was spayed at six months, I feed her quality food, all her vaccinations are done on schedule, she receives regular deworming and de-fleaing and I do not hesitate to take her to the vet if she has any problem.

2. I trained her diligently with the litterbox; she will only not use one if she has no access to it. (Cats can be trained but it's a lot of work). If someone comes to stay with me who is allergic to cats, I clean the house thoroughly and keep my cat confined to a small area during the visit.

3. I keep a collar and bell on her at all times and her access to the outdoors is dependent on the environment. (In Mexico, for example, there was no shortage of mice and it was to both our advantage to have her roam free).

What I saw, continually, during my work at the animal hospital was the "Cute" effect. Most people are very enthused about their pets for the first year - though this enthusiasm translates primarily into affection and not good training - and then the novelty wears off and they come to view the pet as little more than a piece of furniture.

Put down the rocks, I'm not saying you are like this, I'm saying most of the pet owners I came into contact with, (and this was in a decent part of suburbia), were like this. My boss at the hospital gave the SPCA free services, so we dealt with them frequently. Abuse was not the most common problem - it was neglect. So sad.

I totally agree with this. When I worked for the humane society (with a vet on staff at our site), we saw way too much of the people who shouldn't own, ever. Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. You need to be responsible for it, for it's environment, and for everyone's quality of life around that animal.

One of my previous dogs was adopted from that shelter while I worked there, and was one of the serious neglect and abuse cases. He didn't trust men at all after his previous owner, and needed much more psychological care than anyone else there could give him at the time since we were so understaffed. I was the only female working with the dogs, so I spent the most time with him. It would have been terrible to rip away from him while trying to teach him to trust people again, so I had to take him home. The immense change in his quality of life and health definitely made all of the hard work in retraining him and caring for his needs worth it.

 

[Keroin]

I totally agree with this. When I worked for the humane society (with a vet on staff at our site), we saw way too much of the people who shouldn't own, ever. Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. You need to be responsible for it, for it's environment, and for everyone's quality of life around that animal.

One of my previous dogs was adopted from that shelter while I worked there, and was one of the serious neglect and abuse cases. He didn't trust men at all after his previous owner, and needed much more psychological care than anyone else there could give him at the time since we were so understaffed. I was the only female working with the dogs, so I spent the most time with him. It would have been terrible to rip away from him while trying to teach him to trust people again, so I had to take him home. The immense change in his quality of life and health definitely made all of the hard work in retraining him and caring for his needs worth it.

I bet you have some horror stories? I know I sure do.

How about the elderly lady who came in with her two, young, healthy Dobermans and asked them both to be euthanized because she was moving to a place that didn't allow dogs and she didn't trust anyone else to look after them, so she preferred to kill them instead.

Just one of hundreds.

 

[CurlyKat]

I bet you have some horror stories? I know I sure do.

How about the elderly lady who came in with her two, young, healthy Dobermans and asked them both to be euthanized because she was moving to a place that didn't allow dogs and she didn't trust anyone else to look after them, so she preferred to kill them instead.

Just one of hundreds.

Yikes!!! We didn't do euthanizations unless the animal was terminally ill. Every animal we took in stayed until he found a new home. We did have a lot of abandonments, though. Nearly every day when we'd come in there would be a dog chained to the fence or a cat in a box right outside the gate. It really was heartbreaking work, and made the term "righteous anger" come to life for me. I always wished I could do more for them, but at the same time felt like being there did make a difference.

 

[Keroin]

Yikes!!! We didn't do euthanizations unless the animal was terminally ill. Every animal we took in stayed until he found a new home. We did have a lot of abandonments, though. Nearly every day when we'd come in there would be a dog chained to the fence or a cat in a box right outside the gate. It really was heartbreaking work, and made the term "righteous anger" come to life for me. I always wished I could do more for them, but at the same time felt like being there did make a difference.

Oh, my boss refused to do the euthanasia and spent a long time trying to convince this woman to seek other options, but I have a feeling she just ended up going to a less scrupulous vet.

You definitely did make a difference, never doubt that. And the dog you adopted was able to enjoy the rest of its life in a loving, healthy environment, thanks to you.

All of my pets have been "rejects" and they've all been wonderful.

It does boggle the mind, though, how can humans treat helpless animals so abysmally? Righteous anger, yeah, I know all about that.

[/rant]?

 

[Keroin]

Cats seem to be nature's nurses.

Maybe they're just hoping I'll die of the flu so they can eat me faster, but it's really sweet how they just know when you're feeling like crap and come and purr on you, even the more asocial ones.

There's no definitive answer, yet, to why cats purr. They purr when they're happy, they purr when "family" members are ill or distressed and they also purr when they're in a great deal of pain. They certainly can sense illness, though. They have nice, tear absorbent fur, too.

Dogs seem to express sympathy with licking. Interesting.

 

[FurryFury]

What about dogs that *like* crating? And yes, some do, actually. They feel more chill and more protected and more secure.

Just like some people.

I had a cat that liked his transport case. He felt safe there. He'd retreat to it when he felt overwhelmed by things.

OTOH, he was terrified of and hated the vacuum. Hey! I hate the Vacuum too! Smart cat!