Dog Owners Are Healthier Than Cat Owners

Oops, I meant that I have never seen someone try to make a small dog an outside dog.

I had a dog up until a year ago that would have loved to be outside most of the time! He drove me CRAZY barking at the door every hour or so when I was home. I could never tell if he wanted to go out to do his business, or if he just wanted to play. His brother likes being outside at times, but I have to be at his side or he’ll carry on big time. Needy little boy! They’re small breed dogs, though, so it is different. I have not seen anyone try to stick a small 16-lb dog outside, lol!

I have a fenced-in backyard, and Midnite has plenty of room to roam around. He has a doghouse where he can find some shade from the sun. He is somewhat of a guard dog as well. I bring him inside almost every night during the winter. He doesn’t like being cooped up. When I keep him inside during the day, he will whine after a while, becasue he wants to be outside.

Robert – I’ll bet he’s gorgeous. Please don’t take this wrong… but what made you decide to make him an outside dog?

I have a dog now that would MUCH prefer to be outside most of the time – but I’ve always been of the opinion that if you own a dog – they should live in your house… but I wonder if he wouldn’t be happier outside. Curious as to the thought process you had to decide to keep him outside….

Wow! I’ll bet he’s beautiful. Please don’t take offense to this question… it’s mostly out of curiosity…
What made you decided to keep him as an outside dog? Was it your decision or his? Did his size play into it?
I have a beagle/golden mix who has been taught to ring bells to go out. He is almost a year old. He spends probably 85% of his time outside – he loves exploring and running in our back yard. At times, I feel guilty calling him in because he likes being outside so much. He drives me crazy ringing the bells while he’s inside. I would put a dog house out there and leave him outside if I hadn’t always been so adamant that dogs are family members and so-being deserve to be inside.
Just curious as to your thoughts…

My dog is an outdoor door, but he spends the nights inside during inclement weather. He’s a big dog, half lab/half chow

Darn… I’m late on this one… oh well, posting anyway.

I’ve never understood the affinity for cats… not that I would ever want to see one hurt – but I can’t say I’ve ever had the desire to own one. I guess as the sold female in my home, I want to reserve the right to be the only “prissy” one around. I am, however the owner of 2 dogs. Not just dogs, but Beagle mixes. So, I have 2 very energetic, goofy boys who crawl over one another to get to me… ahhh… what a wonderful thing! LOL!

Robert – am I reading correctly that your dog is an outdoor dog? What breed do you own?

Robert, that is horrible! lol! I am sure you dogs… err, men, would like that! LOL!

I had a feeling someone would compare cats to females and dogs to men.

Polish Knight wrote:

“Try this experiment: Next time your cat doesn’t want you to pay attention to her (I suspect it’s a female cat, they tend to be more bossy) try lavishing attention and praise on the OTHER cat immediately. Give it treats and take it into another room and play with it. The standoffish cat will QUICKLY notice and come around. Make HER compete for YOUR attention. ”

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In comment #6 I posted a story comparing dogs to males and cats to females.

It would be wonderful if a guy could do this with his girlfriend/spouse. Bring another female into the guest room and play with her, so that his girlfriend would join them in the guest room and compete with the floozie he picked up for his attention.

Cat tips

Tsk tsk tsk, picking on poor cats. Couldn’t you stick to picking on someone your own size, like Judge Judy?

Seriously though: There may be a variety of reasons for this stat. Correlation is not causation. For example: Apartment owners and the elderly may find it more practical to own a cat than a dog hence dog owners may appear to be “healthier”. Or in other words, dogs require more work requiring healthier owners. In the dog vs. cat wars, cats have won since more people own cats. It doesn’t take a lot of money to buy the food, set up a cat box, and they can be left alone for a day or two with a bowl of food and water without a problem.

Cats have a wide variety of personalities by breed, gender, and even litter. They also adapt their personality to their owner. In other words, that reflects on YOU!

Negative personality traits such as scratch attacks can be dealt with a similar manner to unruly small children: Put them in a timeout area such as the bathroom if they act up. They will quickly calm down and want to be reintroduced into the room. Make them wait a few minutes (it will seem like an eternity to them and you’ll know it from the loud meowing!)

If your cats are tearing apart the drapes, it sounds like maybe you should buy them a scratching post and put some catnip on it. You may need to try a few models. Strangely, the cheapest ones are usually the best. Also, clip their nails (this will last a few months.) If their nails hurt them due to length, they are trying to shorten them on your furniture. The poor creatures may actually be in discomfort. Also, buy some CHEAP cat toys or even just ball up some aluminium foil. That will keep them occupied and away from expensive things. If they INSIST upon bothering something expensive, put a few lemon peels near them. They’ll avoid those areas like the plague.

But the neat thing is that cats usually do possess self-awareness and consciousness to manipulate and train their owner. Unlike dogs that learn tricks, cats actually experiment and observe what works in getting what they want.

Try this experiment: Next time your cat doesn’t want you to pay attention to her (I suspect it’s a female cat, they tend to be more bossy) try lavishing attention and praise on the OTHER cat immediately. Give it treats and take it into another room and play with it. The standoffish cat will QUICKLY notice and come around. Make HER compete for YOUR attention.

“What is a Cat? Cats do what they want. They rarely listen to you. They’re totally unpredictable. They whine when they are not happy. When you want to play, they want to be alone. When you want to be alone, they want to play. They expect you to cater to their every whim. They’re moody. They leave hair everywhere. They drive you nuts and cost an arm and a leg. Conclusion: Cats are tiny women in little fur coats.

What is a Dog? Dogs lie around all day, sprawled on the most comfortable piece of furniture in the house. They can hear a package of food opening half a block away, but don’t hear you when you’re in the same room. They can look dumb and lovable all at the same time. They growl when they are not happy. When you want to play, they want to play. When you want to be alone, they want to play. They are great at begging. They will love you forever if you rub their tummies. They leave their toys everywhere. They do disgusting things with their mouths and then try to give you a kiss. Conclusion: Dogs are men in little fur coats.”

The chief difference between dogs and cats: Cats have no shame, dogs have no pride.

The chief difference between dogs and cats: Cats have no shame, dogs have no pride.

DOG: Wow! look at all the things this man does for me. He feeds me, keeps me in clean water, gives me a place to live in warmth and saftey. He must be God.

CAT: Wow! look at all the things this man does for me. He feeds me, keeps me in clean water, gives me a place to live in warmth and saftey. I must be God.

YES…DOGS RULE!

YES…DOGS RULE!

I am a healthy neurotic, too! And I love it!

I can definitely believe that dogs are more healthier to have around than cats! My cats only snub me sometimes, but my dog greets me faithfully when I come home. Although he is a small breed dog, hyper, so he does make my blood boil at times!

That is a sweet essay, Robert! If anyone makes a bad comment about this one, let’s stick our dogs on them! Hahaha!