Dog-Person & Cat-Person Converts

[Beryl]

Which do you think is the more common conversion?

From a "cat person" to a "dog person"
or
From a "dog person" to a "cat person"

A guy I work with was raised with cats and his last cat lived with him for over 20 years! He married a "dog person", however, and now he is a "dog person". He told me that since he was raised with cats, he never knew what the fuss was about. He now "gets it" and is really into his 2 dogs.

Is this conversion more common than the reverse. If so, why do you think so?

FYI - I am "dog person" but I really like cats too and plan to add one or two to my family within the next 3 years.

[britishbandit]

I wouldn't know, I love both dogs and cats, I'd never not have both. Hard to picture people who aren't "dog and cat" people.

I guess if you've only ever had cats, you could become a "dog person" if you suddenly got one, but same goes the other way around.

I think people that are "cat only" or "dog only" people just have their reasons. Maybe the independent less trouble cats are what specific people like, but other love the interactivity they can share with a dog. I know some dog people that think cats are just "no fun, they don't do anything".

[IceyBlueSibes]

I'm with BB. I'm a "dog AND cat" person, and I don't ever see myself without both. I love my kitties to snuggle up with, and my doggies too, but all of the cats I have ever had like attention and will "hang out" with you. Most of my friends don't like cats because they say they aren't as social as dogs. I guess I've been lucky. Haha.

My brother is more of a "cat person" than a dog person. He, however, loves both dogs and cats.

I've noticed though that I'll fall for a kitten much faster than I would a puppy. I have no idea why, but I think it's that little meow that kittens have that grabs me

[TribalRats]

Yup, I am with BB as well. I love them both. However we do not have any cats, just the dogs.

[Swiftwind]

I think I've always been a dog person (even before I had dogs). I grew up with cats but I remember wanting a dog so bad, but my mum wouldn't allow me until I was 9 years old. I still like cats, but lean a little more towards dogs.

[Cassiepeia]

I'm the same as you Swiftwind...I grew up with cats and wasn't allowed to have a dog (my dream pet) until my mother remarried and my stepfather brought his dog into our life.

I love cats, but I would never claim to be a 'cat person'. Only because my definition of a 'dog person' is quite specific and doesn't include people who just 'like dogs'. I'm a bit of a snob about that term actually. So I won't use the 'cat person' term to describe myself.

Although I probably have more interest in them then you're average cat owner (which I'm sure is true for most everyone on this forum).

As for which conversion is most common...probably cat to dog. Although I have no idea myself since I've never converted. lol Been a 'dog person' since I was born. Even my first word was 'dog'.

Cass.

[c0_re]

I don't have anything against cats I like them, I just have my hands full the way it is with 2 young dogs, maybe when the entire yard is fenced in and I expand the house.

[roman]

i am a mixed breed...i am a dog-cat-bird-fish person

[Rivsky]

I'm a BIG dog person and always have been but I've never been into cats at all. I think this is mainly because NO ONE in my family has ever had a cat so I never grew up around them. With my mum and sister both allergic to cats it was something that was never going to happen in our house!

[briarlow]

I'm a dog person and have to admit cats do nothing for me. Was put off when my mum was attacked by a cat when i was young. Sorry would never do them any harm but really can't see me being converted into a cat person!

[rmci]

I've always considered myself more of a cat person that wanted to own a dog. Now I have one cat & two dogs and love them all dearly. I guess I'm an "animal person".

[trainingrixie]

i am in the same boat as you rmci...i'm an animal person. and i must say, cats, like dogs are all different...i've had a moody cat (Precious)that would only let you pet her on her demand, another that was just as sweet as could be but very independent (Tifany)(would go for days without seeing her sometimes), and my poe, the one I have right now is a snuggle buddy. She crawls under the covers with me at night and is under my feet ALMOST as much as the dog. Poe is probably the most dog-like cat I've had...if that makes sense. She almost seems pack oriented in an odd way. And IMO dogs are just awesome....you all already know that otherwise you wouldn't have joined this discussion board!! hehehe Anyway, I love all animals! Thank you and good night!

[SmilingDogs]

Although we've taken in stray cats, our family has always been "dog" people and it was never quite the same with cats. Cats are more "aloof" and just not as endeared to us as dogs, IMO.
Of course there are exceptions. I once had a cat who acted a little more like a dog, and "Doggie" was my favorite :>) But most of my sister's (all strays) seem to just barely tolerate any human connection -- even when they've lived in her house for years.
I think for a dog owner going to a cat, I've found myself trying to see/look for dog-like characteristics in them.

[rmci]

britishbandit:I think people that are "cat only" or "dog only" people just have their reasons. Maybe the independent less trouble cats are what specific people like, but other love the interactivity they can share with a dog. I know some dog people that think cats are just "no fun, they don't do anything".

. I don't know about cats being less trouble or not wanting to do anything. My cat is 10+ years, loves to be chased by me, chase the dog and gets very vocal when he wants to play. He wakes me up every morning and if I ignore him, he'll jump on my dresser and knock items off of it until I get out of bed. He also loves playing with Baxter, chasing him around the house. I can't have any privacy in the bathroom, my cat has scratched the doorframe trying to get in. If I am gone overnight all my plants are destroyed unless I place them in areas where he cannot get to. He never touches them as long as I come home every night.

[britishbandit]

I agree rmci, I guess I didn't phrase that particularly well. I meant meaning cats don't need as much from us. I personally have found dogs to be much harder task, and going on vacation (things like that), you can have someone come in to feed/water the cats, dogs are more tricky, they need more than food and water while you are gone. Usually to have someone watch them, board them, walk them, play times...etc. My cats are pretty spunky as well, so I understand what you are saying, and although I love both animals, dogs require a lot more work. Some people don't have the time/money/energy to keep up with dogs, and prefer the more laid back independence of a cat. Plus the only training that seems to be on the list of cat owners is litter training (which they seem to do fairly naturally), dogs need a lot more when it comes to training, and if they do classes, again, more money.