Could This Be …. Caturday? Or Doggerday?

I know there are cat lovers and dog lovers reading along side each other this fine Saturday morning. Perhaps there are also those who prefer rabbits or fish …

But I digress.

I’m sure you all can identify with the similarities of the universe — and of cats and dogs. Here are a few facts that show that the two are not so different after all:

 

1.  They Rely on Body Language for Communication

Cats and dogs communicate through body language, although their signals are different. For example, a dog with a wagging tail and open mouth is likely happy. A cat with a wagging tail and open mouth, however, would normally be communicating anger.

2. They Have a Heightened Sense of Smell

Cats and dogs excel in scent detection. There are three types of scent receptors, and the one responsible for the ability to distinguish between smells is known as V1R. Humans have just two V1R receptors, dogs have nine, and cats have an impressive thirty V1R receptors!

3. They Hear Better Than Humans

Cats and dogs have a better sense of hearing than humans. Both use their ears to express emotions and have fantastic hearing. They also share the ability to move their ears into different positions, thanks to a large number of muscles that control ear movement. The only quirk is that this doesn’t apply to puppies, as all dogs are born deaf and remain so until they’re around three weeks old.

4. They Can Be Trained

While dogs often take the spotlight when it comes to performing tricks and training, cats can absolutely be trained and learn a variety of commands. The caveat is that cats are harder to train as they’re not as food motivated as their canine counterparts. The key to teaching cats commands and tricks is then finding the right motivation.

5. They Have Territorial Instincts

Cats and dogs can both be territorial at times, an instinctive behavior that aims to make sure they get their share of space, food, and mates.. However, how they respond to these instincts is different. Cats mark their territory by urine spraying and chin rubbing to leave their scent on things that are “theirs.” Dogs will also use urine to scent mark their territory, but are also more active about patrolling their land.

6. They Have Social Structure

Cats can be socially flexible, living happily and harmoniously with humans and even other animals. Dogs are highly social animals, especially when they’ve been properly socialized. One of the strongest similarities is that they both have a high affinity for people. It is believed that cats and dogs moved closer to a human settlement where they began their friendly relationship with human beings.

7. They Can Take Care of Themselves

Cats and dogs both possess strong survival skills and can hunt and scavenge for food. Both possess incredible hunting abilities. Cats are known for their agility and stealth. They possess sharp retractable claws, allowing them to climb trees and pounce on prey with precision. And dogs are excellent trackers and have a keen sense of smell. Their powerful noses enable them to track scents for long distances, making them exceptional companions for hunting and tracking activities.

8. They Eat Meat

Cats and dogs both eat meat. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal protein to survive. Though dogs have largely descended from carnivorous wolves, they have evolved into omnivores, meaning they eat both animal and plant material.

9. They Form Strong Bonds with Their Owners

Despite the stereotype that cats are aloof, studies have shown that both dogs and cats can form deep emotional bonds with their human caregivers. They seek companionship, comfort, and security from their owners, displaying affection through purring, licking, cuddling, or following their humans around.

 

Just goes to show you that cats can manipulate you just as much as dogs can. It’s in their genes….

 

P.S. I learned something from this blog today — I didn’t know that puppies were born deaf …