I read an article this week in the Pussington Post that debated whether cats or dogs are more loyal. The writer made some great points (in favor of us kitties, of course!), but I felt the topic deserved a deeper look — because I believe our kind of loyalty is richer and far more valuable than dog loyalty.
Dog loyalty is a very simple and uncomplicated thing, because it comes from instinct. Dogs are pack animals that work together in a hierarchy that makes loyalty a necessity of life. To go rogue and stray from its pack means a dog becomes less effective in providing for itself. So it is in a dog’s best interests to cultivate loyalty and to have it become part of its make up. Dogs don’t put any real thought into their loyalty. While dogs and humans can establish very tight relationships, at its very base, the beginnings of a dog’s loyalty is pretty meaningless.
Loyalty for a cat is a matter of choice. Yes, feral colonies do establish hierarchies, but it is more a matter of keeping things organized and avoiding fights rather than working together. Cats mostly work on their own, making plans and catching prey without answering to anyone or soliciting help. To gain a cat’s trust and loyalty, you must earn it, and unless she intuitively senses your goodness, the cat may take a good amount of time deciding. A cat makes a conscious decision to become loyal, and offers it as a gift that goes against her natural inclination.
So tell me, which do you think holds more value: the kind of loyalty that is ingrained and indiscriminate, or a loyalty forged by careful consideration?
Discuss.
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While we KNOW that we kitties are superior to woofies overall, we have to admit that they have a very powerful loyalty to their Beins and each other that is differnt from ours. Theirs is formed on group structure and dependence, ours is formed from constant adjustments, a natural politeness, and mutual respect.
As much as we try to think of really killer proofs, we can’t. So we conclude (more rational creatures that we are) , that kitties and woofies are both very loyal, just in their own very differnt ways.
Cat loyalty rules!
Really interesting post Sparkle and great food for thought. Loving the comments as well, very thought-provoking. Yes the loyalty of cats definitely seems to be earned for the most part compared to most dogs. We also found what you said about cat intuition and quicker connection to be quite true.
Good thinking! i so agree with you.
BTW, love the new blog organization. Do much easier to navigate.
Not sure if Charlotte is going anywhere. She seems so calm, happy and settled here that we don’t want to move her back to cramped inner city living. Her mom can’t afford any place other than a small apartment.
Cat loyalty is far better. It has to be earned, slowly, over time. However, once it is earned, they are loyal for good.
This is perfectly true. Anyone who has rescued cats to rehome them knows this. When the cat is brought into the foster home it takes nearly all of them a while to settle their poor jangled nerves, then onto the trust issue of the foster parent. It can ‘click’ or not. Not every cat is right for every person.
Then there is that most sacred of all cat/human relationships, the soul mate. Nearly every single cat owned person I know has had at least one. That cat that owns you, loves you, trusts only you, needs to be with you, on your lap, in your hair, in the same room with you.
During times of human stress the cat intuitively knows what you need and in their singular way provides a level of comfort only they can. It makes your heart and soul sing and the song resonates with their spirits and you two become something so much greater than the sum of your individual parts.
There simply is no better pet, guide, advisor, friend, or muse than a cat.
xoxo
Ms. Stella O’Houligan
O. PeeSsss: I think Oliver just has loyalty to the can opener. MOL!!!
Most dogs, though not all, are pretty indiscriminate. When held up in judgment by a cat, a human may be deemed wanting or unworthy, but the cat will give the human a chance to prove worth or redeem him or herself. Cats are discerning. If you have earned the loyalty of a cat–consider it a precious gift. I know that I do. I have major health problems and whenever I have to take my blood pressure I usually freak out because I have had to go to the hospital so many times–but my Bean kitty knows this and always comes to sit with me whenever he hears me take out the unit. He tries to get me to calm down. Bean is also training another cat (Iggy) to do this because he knows he is getting older and wants someone to be there for his Mom. Cats can be very self-serving, but once a bond is forged…it is like no other.
BOOM! No discussion. Airtight case. Loyalty from us is far superior. Not that we’re prejudiced or anything. Nope, not us.
Our sisfur Sadie was very loyal to our mommy but she liked everybuddy. We’re loyal to whoever has a free lap or who is available to feed us or play with us but our loyalty is like a prize! š
We agree….kitty loyalty is the best!
The Florida Furkids
The Human and I rarely discuss loyalty because she knows that really, I have none.
I enjoy being played with, and petted, and brushed (and FED of course), and she is the only person I allow to touch me, but really, it’s all just self-interest.
So, what does she get out of this relationship? Well, I’m very easy on the eyes and I purr a LOT when I get petted and brushed. So there’s that.
I still haven’t found the goodness in TW, that’s for sure. Cat’s loyalty is much better cos we’re actually smart. Heh heh. A dog is all like “yes maam” “yes sir” but we cats do as we please. If I don’t wanna drink water I won’t.
Dear Sparkle,
We has both cats and dogs in our house. Mommy says dogs is like little kids, they loves yous unconditionally and they is a constant companion. They follows yous everywhere and the constant kissing can be a little annoying.
Cats love just as much but there is a more emotional element to the loves. Cats sense feelings and will try to makes yous laugh or comforts yous. If yous treats them bad, they treats yous bad.
Kisses
Nellie
Our Mommy works hard to earn the trust of any kitty that wanders by our house..she likes to get close to them to see if they need any help and she likes to hold and hug kitties so they know that not every peoples is mean and wants to hurt them or throw them away..she has made friends with lots of kitties..she says she guesses it is her job to help kitties that need someone..We are all loyal to her cause she loves us so much..and when she feels sad about something we take care of her and give her hugs and snuggles..
mom says that earning someone’s trust makes her all warm and fuzzy….
Sparkle
Mom knows my loyalty to her was forged through bites.
I kept biting her until I realized she wasn’t going to throw me away like my two previous families did.
Once she earned my trust I quit that “hard” biting and now I only nip her. Gotta keep her on her toes.
But she’s learned when i am going to do it and she calls me out on it now and I get a very
sorry look on my face and I don’t bite.
hmmm…interesting dialogue Sparkle…we think it is more difficult for a cat to ‘trust’ peeps than a dog…but loyalty…all depends on what your definition of loyalty means. I guess most dogs would go to anyone holding something to eat, while most cats would not…is that being disloyal to their peeps? Don’t know. Bottom line is that if either a cat of dog has given its trust to a peep, then they are gonna be loyal to that peep…na’mean??
Of course we catĆĀ“s are moore loyal if our humans deserve it !
Happy Easter weekend š
XOXO
We’re for the cats!
Although, pets raised without love or good role models are naturally going to be harder to win over. Look at our Scouty–he still fears the peeps, even though he trusts them.
Kitties win paws down. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
I have to agree with you, Sparkle. I think we totally have to earn a cats trust. That’s why it’s especially rewarding to work with the shy and scared cats at PAWS.
Eqrning the trust is soooooo impawtant and should never be taken for granted!
Great post. We never did a lot of thinking on this subject, but I’m in agreement with you because it makes good common sense.
Austin here! Good post, Sparkle. My rule of thumb errr claw is that it is up to the human to earn our loyalty. Once bestowed it is never rescinded!
Overall I think you are correct but I don’t think it can be classified in a general manner. I think it also depends on the BREED of the dog.
I have a Shetland Sheepdog who is far more reticent with strangers and allowing people into his world than Cody is. Cody is our “people cat”…he will go to anyone, our dog will not.
Shetland Sheepdogs tend to stand back and survey the situation (based on being 6th out of 100 dogs on the intelligence scale). He decides who he will or will not go to.
When we first got Dakota it wasn’t a case of instant loyalty at all.
That being said, the stereotype for most dogs is true.
There is a fine line between loyalty and opportunity, Cats are opportunists while dogs are blindly loyal. We agree about earning trust. Usually. As always there are exceptions to every rule š
Very interesting post and I totally agree we have to earn it to gain trust from cats. But then it is so rewarding and I think it makes our bonds stronger.
The publicist knows that her Farm cats always knows when she doesn’t feel well and they come and sit with her.
We goats are pretty loyal too.
As long as there is grain.
Apples help too
Sparkle what a great post. Mom has a quote on her signature which reads
“There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat”, Tay Hohoff Mom says my question mark tail greeting and hungry meow every morning a music to her ears.
We all know cats are very selective about who gets to join their colony so once you are in it is an honor.
Hugs madi your BFFF
More proof that cats rule & dogs drool! Happy Easter!
I think loyalty, whatever it’s source, is a thing to be cherished and nurtured.
Cats are also generally more secure in our loyalties, since we don’t have to have our human reassure us all the time by begging for attention. Now there are some cats…
I’ve never had a dog, but I think a cat’s loyalty is far more valuable. Loyalty to a dog is the same as peeing on horizontal objects and turning around three times before lying down; it’s just a thing they do. Cats form bonds with other cats or humans because they want to, not because it’s a genetic mandate.
Cats don’t just give loyalty to their human together with trust – the human has to earn both from their cats before they can feel secure.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Dogs are loyal no matter what…it’s expected. What’s better is the loyalty and trust from a cat…you gotta earn it…and that means so much more!
I have had a dog and two cats… Cats are way more loyal. You have to really earn their love and trust. Dogs let everyone into their hearts much easier!
Very smart, Sparkle!
I’m going to show this to Gloman. He could stand to learn a LOT about this topic…especially given his slant towards dogs.
; ) Katie
We totally agree with that post. That is why our person loves to work with the feral cats, because it is so rewarding when they do decide to trust and love you. And some never do totally learn to trust you.
Dogs are more dependent on their owners and so it is easy to be friends with them. Like you said, a cat can survive out in the wild so to speak but most dogs could not. But then most dogs are not born out in the wild so who knows how they would do.
Good discussion. Take care.
I don’t think my boys are loyal to me, per se, but I just happen to be the one who is feeding them. LOL. But maybe “loyalty” isn’t quite the word I’d use. I definitely think it’s harder to earn a cat’s trust and friendship. But I suspect a cat is loyal only to its own interests. š
Wishing you all a happy Easter weekend, whatever you celebrate.
Great post as always, sweetie, we totally agree and while our Mommy loves dogs too, kitties make their humans work for it, so it is definitely a relationship of mutual consideration…Happy Easter weekend, lovely friends…xoxo…Calle, Halle, Sukki
Yes! We choose to be loyal. You make a very good point here! The dog is much friendlier and is ready to please anyone!