Throughout the course of time, one ultimate question has been a topic of great contention: Dogs or cats? However, despite the raging debates, an obvious answer lies before us all: Dogs are, indeed, quite a bit better than cats.

To start, happiness surveys display that dogs lead to higher levels of joy and pleasure than cats. Online platform and community Tracking Happiness surveyed more than 12,000 respondents to gauge their happiness on a 1-10 scale. On average, cat owners had a happiness level of about 6.9, being the 8th happiest type of pet owner, whereas dog owners came in at 2nd place, with an average happiness level of about 7.3. Clearly, owning a dog leads to a greater level of happiness than owning a cat, and is, therefore, more beneficial to keep. In fact, a survey conducted at the University of Chicago determined that 36% of dog owners reported being “very happy,” while only 18% of cat owners reported the same. A clear trend can be noted, signifying that the simple act of owning a dog makes you statistically twice as likely to be very happy than owning a cat.

While it may be true that cats require less attention and training than dogs, there are direct consequences of such. For example, cats are not as social and do not form as strong of bonds with humans, directly causing lower happiness levels among cat owners. Additionally, cats are well-known for their tendency to scratch furniture, doors, and whatever they can get their paws on, making them a risk for many, especially those trying to keep their household pristine.

Dogs are also highly trainable, which makes them suitable for taking care of various roles throughout society, such as assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue operations, and providing security. The ability to be trained is due to their high levels of intelligence, with dogs having twice the number of cerebral cortex neurons as cats- or twice the intellectual capacity- and a strong ability to understand and follow commands. In comparison, cats act far more independently and are less likely to be trained to complete specific tasks.

Moreover, dogs have a unique ability to detect certain health conditions. To most, this might come as a surprise, but dogs are able to perceive cancer and low blood sugar levels through their highly advanced sense of smell. This makes them valuable companions for those with certain medical conditions, as dogs will be able to alert them to potential health problems, serving as early detection before anything occurs.

In conclusion, the age-old debate of cats vs. dogs has been put to rest, as the evidence clearly shows that dogs are superior. In all aspects, dogs have proven themselves to be more capable than cats and an invaluable addition to any household for a variety of reasons. This should greatly simplify the decision of whether to buy a cat or a dog, as the latter is clearly the superior candidate.

Sources:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/people-dogs-happier-cat-owners-21739776

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/dog-owners-much-happier-than-cat-owners-survey-finds/