Differences between dogs and cats

The difference between dogs and cats is given by behavior, physical characteristics and metabolism.
What differentiates cats from dogs? Why can a cat go out without problems while dogs need constant attention? The difference between dogs and cats is given by behavior, physical characteristics and metabolism.

The first big difference is behavior. Cats in nature are solitary hunters and much more connected to the environment. This makes them very self-sufficient. While cats are happy alone in their environment, dogs are pack animals that are happy in many different environments, as long as their pack is with them. This pack mentality allows us to train dogs to do tricks. They want the attention they receive for their performance.

Pack behavior also refers to how a dog is physically designed. In the wild, they were created to run towards prey. This means that dogs were created to run long distances. Cats, on the other hand, are designed to chase prey. Their instinct leads them to sneak up and then attack. They are more like sprinters than long-distance runners.

Another substantial difference between dogs and cats concerns their diet. Cats are strictly carnivores. In the wild, they must eat meat to survive. Additionally, cats need to eat more often than dogs. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can live on both animal and plant sources. In a survival situation, dogs can feed themselves entirely on plant-based foods.

Other interesting differences between dogs and cats are:

• Dogs can go longer without eating than cats. They are able to use their own body fat for energy more efficiently than cats.
• Cats have retractable claws. This allows them to keep their claws sharp, while dogs constantly wear them down.
• The cat's body is designed for jumping, climbing and leaping. This allows them to hunt or escape predators by climbing trees or other objects. Dogs are more terrestrial. They cannot jump or climb like cats.
• Dogs need to be potty trained. Training a puppy takes a lot of time and effort. For cats it is not necessary, just provide a litter box. Instinct will take care of the rest.
• Cats only have 30 teeth, compared to dogs who have 42.
• Cats metabolize drugs differently than dogs and humans.
• Cats have better memories than dogs. Kittens can remember for up to 16 hours, compared to 5 minutes for dogs.