Proof That Dogs And Cats Are Very, Very Different Animals
When they say people are fighting like cats and dogs, that usually means that they're fighting like two creatures who are just too different to get along. Cats and dogs are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to a variety of issues and factors. Of course, there are always cats who act like dogs and dogs that act like cats, but for the most part, these animals behave in very different ways.
Here is a completely unbiased and scientific list of hilarious times that dogs were caught acting exactly like dogs, and cats at their most cat-like.
Caught In The Act
When dogs do something that they're not supposed to do, they're not very good at hiding their shame. They wear their guilt all over their face. They tuck their tail between their legs, they look up at you with those puppy dog eyes, and they do everything they can to be forgiven.
Interestingly, some animal behavior researchers believe that dogs don’t actually feel guilt – they simply put on guilty expressions to please their owners! Scientist Elaine Henley told The Telegraph that “when [dogs] look guilty, they are reacting to their owner's behavior — the tone of voice, the gestures, maybe even the way their owner's smell.”
Cats Are Just Chillin'
Unlike dogs, cats don't really care if you're upset with them or not. They'll push a vase off a counter right in front of you and show no signs of remorse.
In his New York Times column, John Tierney said that one of the most common questions he fields from readers is whether cats feel regret or guilt. One reader provided an amusing answer to this question: “They regret not being large enough to eat their keepers.”
Rub My Belly All The Time
Dogs love human touch and human interaction. They love being pet all over and they especially love belly rubs. Dogs will do anything they can to get attention. Sometimes you have to teach them how to behave properly around humans. They have to learn not to jump up on people whenever they want to be pet.
You can even use pets and physical touch as a reward for good behavior when you're working with dogs.
Please Do Not Touch
Cats are quite the opposite. While some cats are starved for attention, most cats prefer to clean themselves and prune their own fur rather than have a human do it for them. They'll tolerate being touched, but only if you touch them in the exact right way.
Under the chin and beside the ear is fine, but don't go near their bellies or their paws. Cats are very particular about their scritches. They'll purr when it feels good to them.
Dogs Look To You For Guidance
Dogs are very dependent on humans and all they want to do is please their owners. Dogs are pack animals and they actually feel more comfortable when they have an alpha to fall in line behind. They don't want to be in control of the situation. They're happy to follow the leader most of the time.
Even poorly-behaved pups known that their owners call the shots around the house, and don't prance around acting like they own the place. Cats on the other hand? Well, if you're a cat owner, then you already know that's a different story...
Cats Think They're The Boss
While dogs know their place, cats like to think that they're in charge all the time. To a cat, it's their way or the highway. They don't really care about pleasing their human masters.
If you have a cat, you already know that it's a cat's world and humans are just living in it. Cats totally assume that because you feed them, pet them, and clean up their poo, they must be the boss! And you know what? Maybe they are.
Kisses All Over
Dogs absolutely love planting big, slobbery wet kisses all over their owners. They use their tongues to show you how much they love you. Dogs seemingly have an endless supply of love and affection to give, which mostly comes out in excited bursts where they will run in circles around you, jump at you, and of course, lick you like crazy.
While we appreciate the sentiment, we don't always appreciate having a wet face. Sometimes you need to teach dogs to keep their tongues under control.
No Kitty Kisses
Cats don't use their tongues the same way dogs do. They actually have little hooks all over their tongues that make their tongues feel like sandpaper. Those hooks act kind of like a brush to help them groom their own fur and their friends' fur.
If a cat really likes you, he or she might rub his head against you. That's a cat's way of claiming you for himself. He's rubbing his scent all over you so other cats know that you belong to him.
Time For A Bath
While neither dogs nor cats particularly love taking. a bath, dogs seem to tolerate baths better than cats do. We think of dogs as being pretty cool about baths, and cats as hating them. This picture seems to provide evidence supporting that theory. Here’s a cute golden retriever pup who looks like he’s loving his bathtime. He looks so adorable with all of those soap bubbles on top of his head.
He doesn't seem to mind getting clean.
Cats Aren't Cool With Water
Cats definitely don't like getting wet. While dogs tolerate baths, cats absolutely hate them. They make crazy noises when they get wet, and they'll do anything they can to escape the water.
This cat does not look happy. Can you blame her? Cats usually keep themselves pretty clean, so unless she really got into something sticky or messy she probably didn’t even need to take a bath. Don't give your cat a bath unless it's an emergency.
Time For A Ride
Many dogs are known to love car rides. What’s not to love about it (unless the destination is a veterinarian’s office)? A car ride means you’re getting to go somewhere instead of being left all alone at home. You can even hang your head out the window and bark at other dogs you might see along the way. The pup in this photo is clearly excited about the ride he’s about to go on. He’s even wearing special sunglasses, probably to protect his eyes as he sticks his head out of the window of the car as it flies down the road.
Cats Are Homebodies
Felines are definitely not known for their love of travel. In fact, many cats get downright stressed if they’re put in the car. Some of them even growl, scream, or scratch if they’re faced with the prospect of a trip in the car. Many cat owners prefer to sedate their pets before attempting to place them in an auto. This can relieve stress for both the cat and for the human companion. Other tips include talking to your cat in a soothing way and petting it as much as possible before loading it up in the car. The cat pictured here does not look psyched to be taken for a drive.
Sometimes Dogs Are Jerks
Our pups are our #1 fans almost all of the time, which is exactly why people choose to get dogs. Who wouldn't want an animal that is excited to see you all of the time? It's no mystery that most dogs are super nice, but even the sweetest of canines can be a jerk sometimes. While it's hard to believe something so cute can be capable of being bad, it happens to the best of pups. Whether they eat that pair of shoes you love so much, help themselves to your dinner on the counter, or pee on the heirloom rug, dogs do have their jerky moments.
Waiting For Humans To Come Home
Do you ever wonder what your pet does while you’re away? Some pet owners use surveillance cameras to track their pet’s every movement but most of us are clueless about how Fido or Whiskers spend their days when we can’t be there with them. Well, many people who have dogs say that their pet simply waits by the door until their human companion returns home. That appears to be what this dog is doing. He’s probably thinking “Mom! Come home now!” Then again, he might just be watching a bird outside.
So Much Fur
Cats are known to be more independent than dogs, so they don’t tend to be quite as stressed when they’re left alone. In fact, they might even like having alone time to do all the things they’re not allowed to when their human parents are home! Take this cat, for example. She’s just lounging around leisurely in her owner’s underwear drawer. Do you think she’s allowed to do this when her Dad isn’t home? Probably not... I mean, just think about all that cat hair that’s getting into his underwear. That sounds really itchy and uncomfortable.
Finally Together Again
We’ve all seen countless videos of dogs being reunited with their human companions after prolonged separations. You can find tons of YouTube compilations of soldiers returning home from overseas and being greeted by dogs who are almost frantically happy to see them. In the photo above, the man (named Rick) has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. He just got released and was reunited with his beloved pit bull Karma, who seems to return the feeling of admiration. This is such a sweet and touching moment.
Not Paying Attention
So you’ve been away for a week on a work trip? Or even in the hospital for a few days? Well, don’t count on this guy to give you any warm greetings when you return. Or even acknowledge you, if he doesn’t feel like it. Although some cat owners disagree, there’s no denying that cats tend to be more aloof than dogs. According to The Independent, Japanese researchers recently confirmed this: "Pet cats are more than capable of recognizing their owner’s voice they choose to ignore them - for reasons that are perhaps rooted in the evolutionary history of the animal."
Fun In The Summer
Many dogs are avid fans of swimming. Whether in a lake, pond, ocean, river, or pool, dogs can’t seem to get enough time spent playing and splashing in the water. The picture above is from a doggie pool party. You heard that right – these dogs love to swim so much that their owners arranged for them to have a swimming party together. Just look how much fun they’re having! Many pet resorts now offer swimming facilities as a standard amenity for this very reason.
Not A Fan Of Swimming
Cats would not even bother to RSVP to a pool party invitation. That’s how much most of them dislike swimming. Check out this sad guy in the above photo. He’s clearly miserable and wants out of that pool NOW. Although some breeds of cats don’t seem to mind water much, many are quite averse to the wet stuff. Cat expert John Bradshaw, Ph.D., told Mental Floss just why most cats despise being in water. “Domestic cats were descended from Arabian wild cats,” he says. “Their ancestors lived in an area with very few large bodies of water. They never had to learn how to swim. There was no advantage to it.”
Best Friends Forever
Dogs have always been pack animals. This might explain why they’re more likely to get along with other dogs than cats are to get along with other cats. Just look at this photo of two precious husky puppies. They look overjoyed to be together, and each of them has a huge grin on its face! Chances are, they’ve spent the day bonding by playing together, wrestling, and chasing each other around the yard. Fun fact: some dog breeds are even known to be friendlier with other dogs. Cocker spaniels, poodles, and golden retrievers are all on the top 10 list of dog-friendly dogs.
A Cat Fight
Talk about sibling rivalry! Whether these cats are actually related or not, it sure looks like they’re having some kind of major disagreement at the moment. As we can see, the brown tabby cat is cruelly trying her best to give the orange cat a thorough dunking in the toilet. Have you heard of a prank called a “swirlie,” where one person dunks another person’s head in the toilet and flushes it? Unfortunately, it appears that the poor orange kitty might become the victim of a swirlie very soon unless his tormentor changes her mind.
Getting Dirty
If you want an example of an animal that doesn’t mind getting dirty, look no further than a dog. Many dogs, like the one pictured above, are not afraid to get coated from head to toe in mud. And if you’re not paying attention, they’re just as likely to try and jump into bed with you while they’re completely filthy. In fact, it seems like some dogs prefer to be smelly and dirty. Whether it’s rolling around in the mud like this bulldog, digging holes in the garden, or jumping into stagnant pools of water, dogs are relentless in their efforts to get dirty.
Staying Clean
This is how a cat is more likely to spend its time outside – not rolling around in the mud like a filthy animal. Everyone has seen a cat clean itself. It’s one of their most recognizable traits! Sometimes it can seem like they’re constantly licking themselves. In fact, the majority of cats really do spend about 50% of their time cleaning themselves! That’s a lot of hours. Why do they do it so much? Turns out that cleaning has a few benefits: it cools the cat down, it wipes away food odors that could attract predators, and it improves circulation.
Always Loyal
The photo above shows a dog named Maya. Maya has a trait that many dogs are known for – a great sense of loyalty to her human companion. You see, Maya’s human had to go to the hospital for surgery, and ended up needing to stay there for six days. Maya refused to leave the hospital and kept a vigil for her beloved human. Efforts to bring her home were unsuccessful. It wasn’t until her owner was released that Maya left the hospital. “Whenever I go inside some place or another, she waits for me at the door,” Maya’s owner told The Telegraph.
Playing Hide And Seek
This cat is doing the exact opposite of what we just saw Maya do. No, this cat actively hiding from her doting owner. The poor lady probably just wants to snuggle with the kitty that she provides food, a home, toys, and love for. And this selfish cat wants nothing to do with her. Because what could be worse than being on the receiving end of a bunch of soothing pats and massages? And maybe even a fish-flavored treat? Nope, this cat wants none of that and prefers to hide out under the covers instead.
Cats Are Nice Sometimes
One of the biggest differences between cats and dogs is their overall demeanor. As we were saying, dogs are nice but can be jerks. Cats, on the other hand, are jerks but can be nice! Unlike our lovable canine friends, cats tend to be independent, moody, and at times, downright vindictive (anyone ever have their cat knock over a glass of water on purpose?!) Despite this fact, we still love cats and will forever seek their affection. Cat owners know that when their feline friend is being affectionate, they better enjoy it because it probably won't last.
Just One Bite
If one thing is true about dogs it is that they have absolutely zero shame when it comes to begging for food. Your food specifically. Even the most highly-trained pups have a hard time resisting trying to get just one little bit of their owner's scrumptious dinner. We can't really blame them either since a diet consisting of dry, flavorless kibbles would get a little bland after about, oh, a day. Dogs will do just about anything to coerce you into giving them a nibble. Whether it's barking or whimpering until it drives you nuts, or giving you that pitiful look like this pup, it's easy for owners to cave!
A Begging Kitty
Cats want their owners to know that they're independent. Heaven forbid your feline ever felt like they had to rely on you for their survival. While cats may think they're fine on their own, this doesn't mean they're strangers to the fine art of begging for food. Cats just have a different approach. Cats will not give you a pitiful look ever, because, like we said, cats want to make it clear that they don't need you. They're here, they're in charge, and they're ready for their snack. It's honestly best if you just give in now.
A Loud Bark
Ah, the joys of working from home. Enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee and breakfast at home in the comfort of your pajamas before you walk the 15 feet to your computer. Sounds great, right? Working from home definitely has its perks, but when you add a dog into the mix, things can get a little...unproductive. Sooner or later, your furry friend will grow tired of that peanut-butter filled toy and demand attention. Whether they're begging to go on a walk outside or they want you to throw the ball for the umpteenth time, dogs aren't always the best co-workers!
Cats Sit On Everything
Working from home when you have a cat can be just as unproductive as working from home when you have a dog. Sure, your cat might not bark and paw at you incessantly waiting for you to take them on a walk—cats do something that is arguably worse. Cats are obsessed with laptops and will make their way onto your keyboard at some point. Not only is this annoying but it can result in some pretty embarrassing and potentially unprofessional situations. Cat paws walking across your keyboard is a recipe for disaster!
A Cozy Sweater
Look at this little cutie all bundled up in her adorable holiday sweater. Since dogs tend to have such good temperaments, they're pretty much down for whatever. This includes, but is not limited to, dressing up on Halloween and, of course, donning a stylish sweater during the winter months. By the look on this pup's face, not only is she totally fine with wearing a sweater—she's embracing it and is probably forever grateful to her owner who works hard to feed her, pet her, and make sure she is the most stylish dog on the block.
Not So Thrilled
Uh oh. That is the look of danger. The look of what have you done? How could you have done this? When are you removing this atrocity from my body? I know where you sleep and I will revenge pee in your bed.
This little feline looks totally handsome in his red and orange sweater, but clearly, he's not into it and wants it removed, like, five seconds ago. No matter how cold it is outside or how much his owner spent to keep him warm (and stylish), this cat is not (and will never be) grateful.
Time To Snooze
Many of us who own dogs try our hardest to keep them off of the bed. But no matter how plush their dog bed is, nothing is more appealing to a pup than burrowing under the blankets and curling up next to their human. We have to admit, despite the drool, snuggling with your furry friend is pretty wonderful. Waking up in the mornings can be especially tough when your cute canine companion is still tucked in beside you. This can be even harder on cold mornings. Let's just hit snooze one more time.
A Wake Up Call
Ah, cats. Where do they go when they sleep? It doesn't matter if you fall asleep in your bed with your cat curled at your feet, it's not hard to imagine them sneaking off in the middle of the night to do secret cat things. While cats can definitely be super snuggly like dogs, we think this photo shows a more accurate representation of cats in the morning. Of course, cats need to remind us whenever they can that they're the ones in charge around here, so when it's time to get up, they let us know.
Eating Everything In Sight
Just take a second and look at the cute pup above. That slightly crazed look in his eye. His tongue hanging out his mouth. His paw reaching with all of his might to get to those three measly Cheetos. We have got to give it to dogs for being unabashedly committed when it comes to getting their food—and this canine is the perfect example of how just about every dog acts when food is on the line. Not exactly graceful or effective even, but it's pretty dang funny!
Graceful Eaters
Look at this cat eating her meal of white tuna and then think about the Corgi in the last slide. All it takes it two back-to-back photos of a dog and cat eating to show how hilariously different their feeding habits are. Sure, cats love a good meal, but they by no means will ever show that they're desperate for food. This is likely because they are so independent by nature that they know they can always go hunt for their next meal if they have to. Dogs on the other hand? They truly act like every meal is their last.
Proper Dog Training
Each year, dog owners spend hundreds (or thousands) to train their dogs. Dog obedience training is no joke and can get expensive fast. Despite the cost, training is a great investment and can help train your pup to walk while off a leash, commands, and more. Training ultimately lets your dog know that you're in charge and teaches them how to obey you and respect you and others. But what about cats? It's rare that we hear about a cat owner training their feline friend...
Cats Learn Quickly
It's rare that we hear about a cat owner training their feline friend because unlike dogs, cats train their owners! Whether you want to believe it or not, it's true—your cat has probably already conditioned you to act in certain ways without even noticing it. Take a minute to think about life pre-cat and now with your cat. How is it different? We bet you have made subtle tweaks to your life (like hiding hair ties and investing in cat-friendly furniture) all or your cat friend. You may not be catering to your cat's needs whenever they ring a bell, but it's only a matter of time.
Getting Good Exercise
This active pooch seems to enjoy a good workout. In the photo above, we see that he’s giving all he’s got to chasing and catching a ball – something that many other pets would see as a complete waste of energy. No doubt, there’s a person standing just out of the photo who will throw the ball dozens, if not hundreds, of times to this dog. And the pup will probably go after each toss with the same enthusiasm we see here.
Lazing Around
Here, we see an (extreme) example of a cat at its laziest. This heavy-set orange and white kitty does not seem to enjoy exercise, or movement of any type really. He appears to be too lazy to even stand up or lift his head at meal time, preferring instead to lay on his side and shovel the food directly into his greedy mouth. No wonder he’s a little thick around the middle! He could use a little bit of exercise in his life.
Not all cats are this lazy, we just couldn’t resist including such a hilarious example of feline sloth.
