Sunday, January 16, 2022

Dogs and Cats: Why dogs are the better pet

 



*This blog post is based on an assignment, it is not my actual opinion.*
    

          Cats and dogs are to pets, as oranges and apples are to fruit. They are both trendy choices in their categories, but people will always side with their preferred option. Dogs and cats are great pets for anyone out there, but I am here to tell you that dogs should be your choice.



          Let us start with food expenses. The yearly cost of food (this does not include treats, vitamins, et cetera) for cats is not cheaper than for dogs, and it is the same amount. What? Yes, I know. According to a report from GoBankingRates, the annual cost of dog and cat food is the same. The cost of both types of food comes to "$235.00 per year", stating that "[i]t costs as much to feed a dog as it does a cat." So, while it may seem that cats should be less costly food-wise compared to dogs, there is no significant difference in cost. Get the dog you have always wanted!



      Cats are known for being an indoor kind of animal, whereas dogs are keener to being outside running free, but are dogs happier outside? Dogs need exercise and walk time, but dogs tend to do better in an indoor environment. Why you may ask? According to a report from Everyday Health, dogs are more prone to health issues derived from changes in the weather. In addition, they are more likely to "develop behavior problems such as barking, digging, escaping, and being overly aggressive" while being outside. Dogs face more potential dangers being in an outdoor environment. Dogs love to be with their owners, and they need that constant affection and love from them. Dogs tend to feel isolated when they are free outdoors; the appreciation they need comes from the comfort of their own home. We think dogs need to be outside, and because of that, they are high maintenance. What do you feel now? They say dogs do better inside. An inside pet could equal less maintenance. Imagine having an energetic, loving dog in the comfort of your own home. This notion puts them in favor of a house cat. 


    Let us talk about cleanliness and training your animals to end off. First, I have to respectfully disagree that cats are the preferred animal to clean up compared to dogs. Yes, we teach them how to use their litter box to go to the bathroom, but we have to remember that cats "tend to enjoy scratching furniture," which can leave a massive mess for their owner. To continue, dogs and cats can both shed vast amounts of hair around their homes, causing people to experience the sensation of allergies. Yes, dogs may be harder to train than cats, but you can take the time to train a dog to obey rules, especially when it comes to not chewing up furniture. One part of training that is indeed harder for cats than dogs is obeying their owner's demands. 


     So, there you have it! Dogs do have attributes that make them better pets than a cat. 

     Dogs should always be the first choice, period. 

 


        My title is search engine optimized because while comparing the words "better" and "preferred", Google Trends showed me that the word "better" (86),  scored significantly higher than the word "preferred" (6). I used the word "pet" (78) in my title because it was widely more popular than the word "companion" (4). Lastly, the word "dogs" (79) scored much higher than the word "cats" (36) in Google Trends. That is why I put the beginning of my title as "Dogs and Cats" instead of "Cats and Dogs". 

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