Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat?

Dogs are loyal companions who love their masters and can get very protective. People are said to feel safer around a dog and more protected knowing that no one is going to break into your house with a dog there. Dogs also get on really well with children and can give your child a new companion and friend – especially if he or she is an only child.


I just love dogs – my boyfriend is a cat lover but I really don’t see a point to cats. I mean ok they are pets and they can cheer you up and keep your lap warm, but you have to buy litter trays, food and cat litter and what do they return? At least you can exercise with a dog, know that he will protect you and your home and have a loyal companion to be around.

Dogs not only make good pets but also are useful to Emergency Services around the world; fire fighters, police, paramedics and many more. They can help search for people in a wreckage, sniff out drugs on drug dealers, chase down criminals – what can a cat do? Blind people’s lives are changed by guide dogs; it’s amazing to think that a dog can change someone’s life and allow them to do things that they would struggle to do before like going to town alone.

Huskies are a way of life in places like Alaska, where sled dogs are used as transport to get around the city with ease. Without dogs it would be very difficult and very expensive for people to get to town. Sled dogs can travel over 90 miles in a 24 hour period while pulling 85 pounds each – now try walking that far whilst carrying the same amount of weight and see how far you get!

Dogs are very intellectual animals and it amazes me that people can treat them as badly as they do. Even though some dogs go through hell with their owners, they never stop loving them. A dog is a companion for life – but sometimes people forget this and don’t really think about the extra work or money and space needed to home a dog and it’s the dog who truly suffers.

As the saying goes – dogs are a man’s best friend – not just because of their loyalty and fun loving personalities, but also because of the effect that they have on people’s lives on a daily basis.

Just remember, it takes space, time and money to care for a dog. They might be little as puppies but they grow, they take time and patience to train. They need care and attention, as well as exercise. Dogs are not just for Christmas!

Posted in: Debates