Cats and Dogs have been our best friends for ages, and because they are so close to our hearts, most of us are fiercely protective of them. The majority of people these days have divided themselves into categories, one being the ‘dog people’ and the other being the ‘cat people’. The war called ‘Cat People vs. Dog People’ is believed to be popular due to our online presence, but actually, this war started long before the internet was even a thing.
Table of Contents
Introduction
There have been endless numbers of online and offline discussions, debates, and even fights on how dogs are better than cats and vice versa. In this article, we will not take sides but let you know that even though our tastes may be different, in the end, we are all looking for the same thing.
We will discuss some surprising similarities between cats and dogs, and how they both possess the same level of affection, intelligence, curiosity, and much more. They just have different ways of expressing themselves. So let’s have a look at 5 surprising similarities between cats and dogs that can bring a little peace to the “Cat People vs. Dog People” war.
5 Surprising Similarities Between Cats and Dogs
1. Affection
Let’s start with the most popular topic that mostly leads to a heated discussion. Most people will disagree that affection is one of the similarities between cats and dogs. When it comes to affection,the dog people usually get the point, and the rival party tries hard to defend their loved and loving cats.
It has been noticed since forever that dogs usually show more affection towards their owners, this is just a myth. Even though dogs and cats show affection differently, they do feel the same affection towards their owners. Here is how and why:
3 Reasons Why Cats Are as Affectionate as Dogs
1. Imprinting
Imprinting is a phenomenon that occurs both in cats and dogs. During the very early years of their lives, they build a very strong bond with their caregivers, be it an animal caregiver or a human caregiver. This phenomenon occurs at the very initial and sensitive stage of their lives and has a very deep impact on them throughout their lives. Both kittens and puppies form a very deep and lasting affection and attachment towards their caregivers, and this affection just grows as they grow.
2. Different Evolutionary Backgrounds
Dogs
- Dogs are descendants of wolves, which are highly social pack animals.
- Wolves rely on close cooperation and communication within the pack for hunting and survival.
- This social nature has carried over to domestic dogs, helping them develop better ways of expressing their emotions.
Cats
- Domestic cats are descended from solitary hunters.
- Unlike wolves, their ancestors did not rely on social groups for hunting or protection.
- This solitary nature has influenced the way modern domestic cats interact with humans.
- They are more independent and self-reliant by nature, and that did not help cats develop better ways of expressing their emotions and affection.
Which is why even though cats and dogs might feel the same level of love, care, and affection towards their owners, their ways of expressing it can be completely different.
3. Different Body Language
When it comes to expressing emotions, it is more than fair to say that cat’s and dogs say the same thing, just in different languages. As it’s clear from the last point, both cats and dogs have a completely different historical background, which does mean they have evolved with different ways of expressing themselves.
Cats
- Rubbing Against You: This way, cats show their affection. When a cat rubs in opposition to you, they are depositing their fragrance on you, which is a way of marking you as their territory.
- Purring: Purring is an expression of happiness. When a cat purrs, it releases endorphins that have calming and pain relieving effects. Them purring around you means your presence makes them happy, which is one of the finest expressions of their love and affection for you
- Blinking slowly: This is also called “kitty kisses.” When a cat blinks slowly at you, they are displaying that they love you and feel comfort around you.
- Tail Up and Curled Around You: This is a sign of love and acceptance. When a cat’s tail is up and curled around you, they are displaying that they are happy and secure with you.
Dogs
- Wagging Tail: A wagging tail is mostly a sign of happiness and excitement. However, the way that a dog wags its tail can also mean other things, such as fear or annoyance.
- Licking: Licking shows affection and submission. Dogs will lick their owners, different dogs, or even themselves as a way of showing their love.
- Cuddling: Cuddling means that they are happy and secure with you.
- Following You Around: This is a way of showing their affection for you.
- Bringing You Gifts: Dogs may additionally, once in a while, bring random objects that they like as a gift for you. This is a way of showing their love and admiration for you.
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From the above, it is evident that a dog’s ways of showing affection are more prominent, and a cat’s ways are more secretive, which are usually only understood by those who know about their secretive nonverbal cues.
A dog could be jumping on you, cuddling with you, and licking you out of their love for you; on the other side, a cat could be calmly looking at you, slowly blinking, and purring out of the same amount of affection for you. Both are saying the same thing, just in different languages. Which makes ‘affection’ one of the biggest similarities between cats and dogs.
2. Intelligence
Intelligence is one of the best similarities between cats and dogs. They are both highly capable of being trained for specific tasks. There are a lot of working dogs who are even useful in forensic and military fields, while cats are capable of working in therapy and emotional support, detecting medical conditions, Pest control, and even detecting contraband items, drugs, or hidden currencies.
3 Types of Intelligence Similar in Cats and Dogs
1. Problem Solving and Learning Abilities
Both cats and dogs have incredible learning powers. It is proven by the fact that they are not just pets, but they also contribute to the world on a larger scale by working in the military, therapy, pest control, hidden currency detection, hidden drug detection, and even explosive detection.
Even without being trained, they possess natural learning abilities, as dogs can not only learn commands but also figure out on their own how to open doors, retrieve objects, and perform other multitasking functions.
While cats are experts at strategically planning their own patience, agility, stealth, and quickness while hunting for their prey.
2. Social Intelligence
This is one of the best similarities between cats and dogs. Both dogs and cats possess high levels of social intelligence, and that is pretty evident from the fact that 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog, followed by cats that are owned by 46.5 million households.
They are one of the most loved and liked pets from all over the world due to their nature of being socially intelligent.
Both cats and dogs are expressive and very sensitive to their owners emotions. They can feel when their owner is happy, sad, or angry, and they act accordingly. Loving gestures and comfort from a beloved pet is something that can cheer up anyone when they are having a bad day. Their intelligence is a proven boon for us.
3. Memory
This is one of the most evident similarities between cats and dogs. Memory is a major part of intelligence when it comes to working dogs and cats. Their abilities to detect drugs, explosives, or even hidden currencies are phenomenal, and we can only imagine the level of memory power that works along with their powerful sense of smell, which makes such difficult tasks easily possible for them.
Even without being trained in normal daily life, we can observe remarkable memory power in dogs and cats. Dogs can recognize people they met just once many years ago, while cats can very strongly link people and their surroundings to good and bad experiences and behave accordingly.
3. Curiosity
Curiosity is one of the most famous similarities between cats and dogs. Still, this is one of those arguments in the cat people vs. dog people war where the cat people usually get the point. They are both very curious; they just express their curiosity in different ways.
Dogs
- Mostly, the purpose of a dog’s curiosity is to have fun.
- Dogs are usually fearlessly curious; they will go to great lengths to explore new things and have fun.
- They will sniff around new places and objects and may even try to play with them.
Cats
- Cats are more intense with their curiosity.
- They are curious and cautious at the same time.
- They will first watch a new person or object from a distance, and after that, with caution and patience, they will start to go closer and investigate.
- Cats are more often seen using their curiosity to find new ways to get what they want.
- They might also bat at something with their paw, or they might try to climb on it.
Both cats and dogs are very curious in general; however, don’t forget that different breeds exhibit different characteristics; some cat breeds can be more curious than some dog breeds, and vice-versa. Their curiosity is what makes them quick learners and helps them benefit the world with their remarkable intelligence.
4. Playfulness
Playfulness is one of those similarities between cats and dogs that most of us can agree upon. One of the best parts of having a cat or dog as our pet is that they are very playful and fun. Some breeds can be more playful than others, but they both need physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Even when we are not playing with them, we will often find cats and dogs playing with random objects and having fun. It’s normal for both cats and dogs to run around in the house, run in circles, scratch, chase, and retrieve random objects. They are perfectly capable of having fun all by themselves and uplifting the mood of the whole house with their playfulness.
5. Sensitivity to Owners Emotions
This is definitely one of the best similarities between cats and dogs. Sometimes dogs and cats are observed to have higher levels of emotional intelligence than some humans. A cat or dog owner is extremely fortunate to have these selflessly innocent and loving creatures who are so sensitive to their sadness, happiness, and anger.
They jump with joy when they see you happy, sink in guilt when you are mad, and feel empathy and the need to comfort you when they see you sad. They have no hidden motives, nothing against you, just pure love and innocence. Both dog and cat people win in this area.
FAQs
What are the main similarities between cats and dogs?
Even though their ways of expressing themselves can sometimes be completely different, there are many similarities between cats and dogs. Both cats and dogs are extremely affectionate, intelligent, curious, playful, and sensitive to their owners emotions.
Are the similarities between cats and dogs common in all breeds?
The similarities between cats and dogs can largely vary from breed to breed. Even though dogs are known for showing affection, some breeds of cats can show more affection than some dog breeds, and some specific breeds of dogs can show more curiosity than some cat breeds.
Are there cat breeds that act more like dogs?
Yes, there are some cat breeds like Ragdolls and Maine Coons that exhibit characteristics that resemble those of dogs more than those of cats.
How do I choose between cats and dogs?
Choosing between cats and dogs can be confusing sometimes, but at the end, what matters is whose characteristics resemble your personal preferences and give you the most happiness. Understand that adopting a cat or dog is a lifelong commitment, and you should carefully consider all the parameters before making a decision.
Are dogs better than cats?
Both cats and dogs have their own set of characteristics, similarities, and differences. Which is better for you will completely depend on your lifestyle, likes, dislikes, and other personal preferences. That is why some people prefer dogs over cats, and vice-versa.
Do cats love their owners as much as dogs do?
Both cats and dogs equally love their owners, but their ways of expressing their love and affection are different. Cats display their affection through slowly blinking and purring, while dogs are more expressive and show affection through licking, cuddling, and tail wagging.
Why do cats show less affection than dogs?
Cats and dogs have completely different historical backgrounds. Dogs are descendants of wolves, which are highly social pack animals. Wolves depended on their social groups for hunting and survival, while on the other hand, cats are descendants of independent hunters who were very self sufficient and independent and never worked with or relied on groups for their hunting and survival.
That is why dogs evolved to have more advanced ways of expressing their emotions, while cats evolved to be more independent and have more secretive ways of expressing their emotions.
Who is more low maintenance, cats or dogs?
Cats are more low maintenance as compared to dogs. cats don’t need to be taken out for regular walks; they clean and groom themselves more than dogs and they have cat litter boxes set up so they don’t need to be taken out for toileting
Can I adopt both cats and dogs?
The old perception that cats and dogs are enemies is now proven to be a myth, as there are real life examples of so many families that have both cats and dogs that live together with love and have fun like best friends. But even though there are a lot of similarities between cats and dogs and they are perfectly capable of becoming best friends, make sure to introduce them to each other and observe their responses before you make any final decisions.
Who is more intelligent, cats or dogs?
Even though intelligence is one of the most proven similarities between cats and dogs, both cats and dogs have different forms of intelligence. With training, they can excel in many areas, but even without training, we can observe their natural intelligence. Dogs can figure out on their own, how to open doors and windows, retrieve objects, and perform other multitasking functions. On the other hand, cats are experts at strategically planning their own patience, agility, stealth, and quickness while hunting for their prey
Conclusion
In the end, the war of cat people vs. dog people will continue until we understand that our choices may be different, but what we are all looking for in the end is the same thing. Both cats and dogs are equally affectionate, sensitive to our emotions, intelligent, playful, and curious.
These qualities may vary from breed to breed. Some specific cat breeds can be more affectionate than some specific dog breeds, and vice-versa. Not all qualities are equally present in all breeds.
The greatest similarities between cats and dogs are that they all love us deeply and care about us. They are both selflessly innocent and loving, and they are one of the most loyal friends that one can have in their lifetime. Their love for us is never going to change with time, and we will never have to worry about their true intentions. All they are going to give us is constant, selfless, pure love. Therefore, in the end, they both say the same thing, but in different languages.
