Dogs V.

Cats

Did you know dogs are able to smell 4x farther than humans? Dogs have 225 million

scent receptors in their noses. Dogs are better than cats because dogs are smarter than cats, dogs

are better family pets,dogs are better for your mental health, and dogs are more active than cats.

Dogs have been domesticated for 30,000 years, as cats have only been domesticated for 12,000

years. Despite this the topic dogs vs. cats is still being debated.

Warrant #1 is Dogs are smarter than cats because they are able to help people with

medical conditions, can be trained, and scientists have done studies on it. Service dogs are

trained to perform work or tasks to assist an individual with a disability. Service dogs can be

trained to help with mobility, visual or hearing impairments, they can be trained to retrieve items,

open doors, and alert for alarms. Service dogs are crucial to some people in their everyday

lives.“Dogs can be trained to smell things such as diseases, bombs, guns, drugs, or dead bodies,

and a persons sent.” (Wag 19). Dogs help out in police work and in wars and are trained to do

these things. Dogs help us do the things we are unable to do and help our world by being able to

smell these things out. “The dogs are able to perform their tasks anywhere and are most

commonly searching airports and border entries for explosives and illegal drugs, large events for

explosives, and even civilian vehicles that have been pulled over.” (AKC 21). Dogs have to

perform difficult tasks anywhere and are trained not to get distracted; something cats could not

do. “Military dogs are also trained to detect landmines, in order to protect their handlers and

personnel from danger.” (AKC 21). once again is something a cat can not do. Dogs help our

people be protected by doing the things we can’t do.

that households with dogs are more happy and mentally stable. “48% of American households in

the United States own dogs and only 38% own cats.” “Scientists have actually found that

children who grow up with dogs are less likely to develop allergies later in life.” “Kids are less

likely to grow up overweight or obese with a family dog in the house” (Tractive 20). Family

dogs can have a huge impact on the child's well being. Having a dog in the household makes life

happier and easier

Warrant #3 is Dogs are more active than cats. Dogs can go for longer walks than cats and

can go on hikes and boat rides unlike cats. 80% of people with dogs are more active than people

with cats. It is proven that if you get a dog you will be more active. If you are trying to have a

more active lifestyle experts say to get a dog. Dog owners have a commitment to get their dogs

moving regularly. “Researchers have found people who walk their dogs get more exercise than

non-owner which can lead to more weight loss over time” (Fields 19). Fostering dogs and or

volunteering with dogs can help with being more active as well. Having a dog can trigger healthy

habits.

Warrant #4 is Having a dog improves your mental health. “Compatibility is the fit

between the animal and owner based in regard to physical, behavioral, and psychological

dimensions.” ”Companies such as Amazon and Google allow you to bring your dog to work with

you.” (Foreman 17). Often dogs are brought to psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and

courtrooms to decrease stress levels and to help. Police dogs are kept with their handlers and not
the office because they improve their mental well being. The police dogs also help their handlers

with their mental health by connecting work and home life. For the people living alone; people

owning a dog have better mental health than people not owning a dog. After 8 months of owning

a dog the humans have increased their emotional bond to their dogs. Dogs have served in the

United States military since the revolutionary war not just for their service, but as well as the

mental well being of their soldiers.

Some people might say cats are way easier to take care of because they use a litter box

and all they do is sit around. You can actually train dogs to use a litter box and depending on

your dog's personality some dogs love to lounge around. Litter training your dog allows them to

use the bathroom in a safe space.They don’t have to wait for you to use the bathroom outdoors;

which could cause multiple health problems. “Being able to use the bathroom inside the house

makes a dog happier.” (PetPlace 22). Research shows that dogs love to be trained and to have a

purpose. Others might ask what if you are allergic to dogs? When you are allergic to dogs, you

are just allergic to the fur that they shed. Anyone with allergies can own a hypoallergenic dog.

According to the AKC that list includes dogs such as the poodle, maltese, the shih tzu, and

yorkie. These type of dogs are perfect for people allergic to dogs and still want all of the benefits.

Dogs are able to assist us in everyday problems humans face. They are a huge part of our

everyday lives in our emotional health. As well as they help the disabled and help their lives and

make living life so much easier. Overall dogs are better than cats because they are smarter than

cats, dogs are better family pets than cats, and dogs are more active than cats.