Recently, while I was browsing the Net, I stumbled upon the questions, “Why are dogs so faithful? Why are cats so selfish?”
That sparked my curiosity, and I decided to do a little research on my own to find out what pet owners have to say about the integrity of cats and dogs.
Have you ever wondered about why some dog breeds are faithful to the death or if your cat really is a selfish creature?
Let’s find the answers together!
Why are dogs so faithful? Why are cats so selfish?
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Dogs are brave, while cats are cowardly. You have heard this statement and many similar ones, right? People often compare dogs to cats, which is like comparing salt to sugar.
A cat is not a dog and vice versa. They are two different species, so you can’t expect them to act in the same way.
Unfortunately, cat people and dog people often come at each other wanting to prove their pet’s superiority. But what’s the truth behind these statements? Well, read on to find out!
Are dogs faithful and why?
I’m sure that you can come up with thousands of stories where dogs do amazing things for their families and show remarkable courage and faithfulness. And we’ve all seen Lassie
Some might say that dogs are loyal to their owners because we provide, food, shelter, and entertainment. They would be wrong.
In the wild, dogs live in packs. They do everything together – hunt, raise the cubs, defend their territory, and chase away intruders. A lone dog/wolf won’t survive long without its pack because it will fall victim to a predator or starve to death.
Of course, people and dogs have a long history together, but Lucky still has some of its wild instincts, including the desire to be part of a pack. And a pack has a hierarchy, which allows every dog to know his place and his responsibilities.
When you adopt a dog, you step into the shoes of the pack leader – the alpha, who defines the rules and keeps the rest of the pack safe. So, naturally, your dog will feel the responsibility of protecting and taking care of you in turn, and he would expect that you treat him fairly.
Are cats selfish?
Many people consider cats to be selfish because they seem indifferent most of the time and do not show much affection towards their owners. But are they truly self-centered?
Well, some studies conclude that cats don’t demonstrate the same level of attachment as dogs. Moreover, they might be using purring to manipulate us and trigger our parental instincts.
In addition to this, a Japanese study concludes that cats recognize their owner’s voice, but they don’t care enough to respond. That’s why they sleep soundly while you roam the neighborhood in a frenzy calling them for supper.
However, we have to take into account that we didn’t domesticate the cat species. They chose to hang around the mice-ridden villages, and people encouraged them to stay to take care of the pests. They self-domesticated, so they still share a lot of common genes with their wild cousins.
In the wild, cats are lonely creatures. They have their territory and don’t share it with anybody, except during mating time. They don’t form packs or pride (like lions), and they don’t have the same hierarchy as dogs.
So, they don’t feel the same need to obey their owner or make him happy. What’s more, they are perfectly content to be left alone for hours, and they find ways to entertain themselves. In the best possible scenario, they see you as a friend or a companion, but not somebody whom they ought to “worship.”
Nevertheless, cats have a way to show that they appreciate having you around. It’s by bringing you dead or alive prey. Or maybe they want to say that you are a lousy hunter and will die if they don’t take care of you.
Dogs vs. Cats – the eternal debate
People like dogs, people like cats and some like both species. That’s perfectly normal, and there is no need to go to “war” to defend your favorite pet.
So, why are dogs so faithful and why are cats so selfish? It’s all about different personalities.
- Dogs are by nature affectionate. They are loving, sweet, and gentle. Behavior problem such as growling, biting, or aggression are often the result of a person’s actions or inactions.
- Some might say that they are too faithful because they will rarely abandon their owner even if he is abusive and cruel. In fact, abused dogs will often stand by their owner and defend/protect him.
- Cats, on the other hand, seem cold and insensitive because they are loners by design and like to be well-cared for. So, they won’t hesitate to visit your neighbors for food, petting, or entertainment.
- What’s more, if they are not happy with their living conditions and they can leave, they will find a better place to live. So, they are faithful to you as long as you treat them well and provide the best possible source of food.
As a conclusion, I would like to say that faithfulness and selfishness are human concepts. We can’t know what’s really happening in our pets’ heads. What’s more, every animal has a unique personality, and that’s what makes them fun to have around.
