Compare And Contrast Essay On Cats And Dogs

Although cats and dogs are both animals they are different in many ways from, showing love, grooming, vaccinations, food, and vet care. To me dogs are more loveable than cats. However, cats are cheaper when it comes to grooming, vaccinations, and food. Owners treat and take care of their dogs better than their cats. I have always been more of a dog person even though they are expensive.

Cats and dogs are different in the way they bond with their owners. While I have always been more of a dog person, I do like certain cats. My favorite cats are Himalayan and Siamese. I have always thought that dogs were more affectionate than cats until I found out I was wrong. According to the Study Cats Bond Differently than Dogs, cats show affection to their owners, but they do not get attached like dogs. Also,

cats are more independent animals because of their unique personalities and will mark a person by rubbing on them. Cats do not attach to kids like dogs. In addition, researchers evaluated when dogs bond with people they get really attached to their owners and will have anxiety attacks when they are away from their owners for a long period of time (Johnson). While I do love dogs more, cats are less trouble when it comes to attachment to their owners.
Though cats and dogs are both four-legged animals, they have different requirements for grooming. Cats are cheaper than dogs when it comes to grooming. According to the Grooming Manuel for Dogs and Cats, the first thing you look at is the coat type and breed. When you start to groom a cat you just look at the coat type. Cats have five toes and each toe has a nail. Their nail occasionally needs more attention the older the cat gets. When grooming cat it should not be took lightly, and could be difficult if the cat is not eased into and introduced to the tools. In addition, you should use your hair dryer before bathing a cat to make sure they can handle the noise if not you will have a wet cat. When bathing a cat, you should use certain shampoo (Dallas et al. 3-103). Dogs to me are very different when it comes to grooming. The book states when grooming dogs, look at their coat type and breed. Looking for their breed type like working, utility, and toy dogs will help with knowing how to clean them. Bigger dogs with thick coats have to use a long tooth comb. Dogs have double coats and have pads under their four toes. Healthy dogs do not need frequent toenail clipping. When grooming a dog you should hold them the correct way. Have the dog free from fear, stress, and pain. Also, protect their feet and belly. You can dry dogs with moist cloths, towels, and a dryer. When washing your dogs, you should use five main types of shampoo cleansing, mild, medicated, veterinary, and insecticidal. (Dallas et al. 3-103).
An important thing cats and dogs require are vaccines, but they need different types and amounts. Small dogs require more vaccines than bigger dogs and cats. I always thought the only vaccines a cat and dog needed was, parvo and a worm pill. Until I read the magazine article All about Vaccines for your Animal, I learned that cats and dogs both need different vaccines. Cat and dog vaccines start at different ages. Only give your cat and dog core vaccines. Core vaccines should be given three to four weeks apart. You should only get shots that are in high protection against diseases. The rabies booster shot is the only booster you should get annually for your cat and dog. The rabies booster is to be given when your cat and dog is one-year-old. Other boosters are not needed because, core vaccines have longer duration of the immune system. In the article All About Vaccines for your Animal states, the core vaccines for cats are three different vaccines. The first vaccine, for felines is panleukopenia, this will help stop the attacks of growing cells in kittens. The second one the article states feline herpesvirus, by giving this vaccine should prevent your kitten from the virus that spreads by contact and sneezing, kittens will often die. The last vaccine is; feline calicivirus this vaccine will prevent the disease spread by contact in younger kittens. Kittens’ core vaccines should start at eight weeks. There are also three-core vaccines, dogs need but they need different types. The first vaccine for your dog is; canine distemper this vaccine will prevent attacks against the respiratory. The second one you should give your dog, canine parvovirus by giving this vaccine should prevent the virus from attacking your dog. The final one; canine adenovirus this vaccine will prevent the virus associated with kennel cough. Puppies should start core vaccines at nine weeks (Brightman).
Also, cats and dogs require different types of nutrients and foods.

I have always thought it never mattered what kind of food animals got. Once I read Cat and Dog Food Differences Explained, I learned many things about the nutrients and foods that cats and dogs need. According to the article, cats will not eat food off the floor. A cat will paw and sniff at the food on the floor before rejecting it (Viegas). Dr. Allan Paul states, cats have higher protein needs than dogs do. He also states, cats use protein for an energy source. Cat food contains more than 30 percent of protein. They need extra protein to satisfy their requirements for energy. Vitamin A is a key ingredient for a cat to have in their food. Watson says, meat is the only source cats can get their acids. Cats like food that has a texture to it (Viegas). From what I gathered, dogs are very different when it comes to food. Dogs will eat off the floor and right out of your hand. Dr. Allan Paul says dog food contains 20 to 25 percent of protein. Dogs can get their acids two ways. They can get their source through meats and vegetable oil. Watson states, dogs can convert beta-carotene for their vitamin A

(Viegas).
I always thought cats were taken to the vet just like dogs. Once I read the Veterinary Practice News, I learned many cats in America will not get took to the like dogs. Owners will betray their cats and will leave them to live on the streets. While dogs are taken to the vet just for any little thing (“Half of American Cats Don’t Get Regular Veterinary Care”). This is a horrible thing for people to do. I see more stray cats at places nowadays than I see dogs. People have to be sick to just throw an animal out to starve. I could never do such a thing, there are many places that would take in animals. Why get a pet if you know you are not going to take care of it? In Veterinary Practice News, half of America’s cats have not been to a vet in a year. Owners do not know the care cats need for their health. Cats are good at hiding their injuries and sickness. People usually get cats for free or off the road. Seventy percent of cats in the United States are free and has not had the proper vet care. Also, cats are low maintenance and independent. Cats get half as many checkups as dogs (“Half of American Cats Don’t Get Regular Veterinary Care”). On the other hand, dogs are the opposite. Dogs are taken care of much better than cats. Although, owners betray their dogs it is not as often as cats. My outlook on dogs and veterinaries was right on with the Veterinary News Practice. Dogs are thought of differently from cats when it comes to going to the vet. Dogs usually are adopted or purchased from someone. If a dog is adopted, they usually go home with vet care instructions. Dogs have a care label and are high maintenance (“Half of American Cats Don’t Get Regular Veterinary Care”).
Both cats and dogs do and require different things like, showing love, grooming, vaccinations, food, and vet care. I learned many things by doing research on cats and dogs. My outlook on both these animals was completely wrong. Dogs show love more and are higher priced animals. Cats are usually free and independent. Each animal requires more vaccines and nutrients in their food, which I had no clue about. Maybe I am taking care of my dog incorrect. I also learned how badly cats are treated in America. Dogs have it much better than I even knew.