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A 2021 report from Animalpatient.com compiled information from each state to determine which pet each state preferred in the dog vs. cat debate.

According to the study, Illinois leans toward dogs in the debate:

• 31% of Illinois households own a dog compared to 21% of households owning cats.
• In Illinois, there are 2.23 million dogs compared to 1.84 million cats.
• In Illinois, 72% of dog/cat health searches on Google are for dogs.

* The Question: [Revised at commenters’ requests] Dog, cat, both, no pet, other? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

online polls

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:02 am

Comments

Backyard chickens

Comment by DS Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:04 am
Dogs listen. Cats don’t. Simple as that.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:09 am
Could you please add a ‘both’ option?

Comment by Loyal Virus Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:10 am
Dog is much less likely to cause family members asthma attacks.

Comment by Ann Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:11 am
Seconding Loyal Virus’s request, LOL. We have both and I couldn’t do without either.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:11 am
I have both, but I couldn’t vote both. Cats are great because they’re low maintenance. Just put out food and water and clean the litter box weekly. Our cat is really affectionate and likes attention (unlike many cats). Dogs are great because they’re loyal and have great personalities. They’re higher maintenance since they have to be taken out to do their business many times a day but I love going for walks in the park with the dog. The dog and cat get along great, btw, and even nap together.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:12 am
Dogs love me regardless of old and frumpy I am.

Comment by Frumpy White Guy Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:13 am
Correction: 21% of households are owned by cats

Comment by Uptown Progressive Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:13 am
I grew up with dogs and love them. Currently just have cats, and gotta say cats are way better.

Also, side rant (a bit tongue in cheek btw): we have gone way too far in allowing dogs in public spaces. Obviously not talking about service dogs. But every single restaurant, coffee shop, workplaces, and even grocery stores or convenience stores are filled with everyone’s misbehaving dog.

We’ve gone too far too fast. I don’t need your “fur baby” slobbering all over my hand while I wait in line at 7/11. Enough.

Comment by Creed Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:14 am
Partner is allergic to cats so dogs it is. We’ve had a number in the past 30 years. Sometimes at the same time. Right now we have one middle aged one that we love dearly. They have all been different, some smarter, some sweeter, etc.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:15 am
Dogs will save your life, cats their own.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:17 am
Both. Dogs outside. Cats inside.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:17 am
Logistically and allergy-wise, a pet would have been a problem, we did have the granddog in town over the weekend.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:18 am
I prefer dogs but my wife has a cat. The cat hates me. The feeling is mutual.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:20 am
Cat, because I live in a 3rd floor walk-up and cats don’t need to be walked several times a day.

Comment by skutt Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:24 am
what Uptown Progressive said.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:27 am
Right now we have five cats - mom and her three grown kittens that weren’t socialized enough to be adoptable, plus one other that was dumped on a snowy and cold February day. Lost two last month within two days, so hard.

Comment by FormerGOPer Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:32 am
Love both. Grew up with both. Currently just have a cat. Will probably get a dog eventually since we now have a yard. But it is nice being able to leave town for 2-3 days and not have to arrange for someone to come over.

And yes, the house belongs to the cat, but she is magnanimous enough to let me pay the mortgage.

Comment by DHS Drone Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:34 am
Have had both over the years, currently neither. Each is rewarding in its own way.

But I have to say I did miss my last dog when he passed more than any of the cats.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:35 am
We have always had a dog. No cats as my wife is allergic to cats.

Comment by Pacman Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:37 am
Both. I like all kinds of animals. In my old farmhouse, cats keep the mice at bay. Dogs chase off the raccoons. I often wonder how they perceive us.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:38 am
Both. Love both dogs and cats.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:39 am
Exactly same as Friendly Bob Adams.
Wife cried lots when cat passed; my tears were for the $ replacing the carpet due to the cat throwing up numerous times.

Comment by Interim Retiree Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:43 am
We adopted a senior dog “Lady” who is a Dalmadoodle. We have two cats, Nina and Nimbus. Saturday I get my grandkitty Nora as my daughter is being forward deployed in the Navy.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:43 am
We are a house divided. The Dogs are mine, even the one she had to rescue because it was so cute, the cats are hers and I’d give them to you for free.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:43 am
I have Trixie and she is a mix Schnauzer/Terrier. Getting up in age at almost 13 very active will still chase rabbits. She was my son’s dog but he moved to take a job so I have her now. I do not like cats though they are just too independent.

Comment by clec dcn Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:44 am
dogs, cats, cattle and horses. The cycle of life is good for the soul.

Comment by flea Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 10:55 am
Had dogs over the years, but too painful to have to put them down. Took me a few years as a kid to realize that Rusty really didn’t go to a farm like my mother told me.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:04 am
Cats. We live with 5: 3 inside & 2 outside. I love their cattitudes.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:05 am
Dog. Because it’s nice that someone in the family is happy to see me.

Comment by Mister Whipple Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:09 am
Dogs - Helps me get out of the house for walks which helps with my health.

Comment by snowman61 Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:10 am
Cats.

They are low maintenance. Unlike dogs, you do not need to take them for walks when it is pouring rain, -10º, or you’re just too darned tired. And for a lot of dogs, living in an apartment is just not enough space for them!

It is not true that cats are asocial. Mine snuggle up on the sofa with me when I’m reading, I’ll get up from my desk to see them just hanging out in the room with me, they really do like my company.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:13 am
There are a gazillion reasons I love dogs, not the least of which is the unconditional way they love people. Cats are okay if they are somebody else’s.

Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:13 am
Grew up with dogs and cats. Spouse and I are on our second dog. We would have cats, too, but cat allergies….

Comment by workingfromhome Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:13 am
The cats belong to Sheba. I deny all ownership of them.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:18 am
I will always hate cats.

Comment by dog lover Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:21 am
Dog! We’re on our 3rd yellow Labrador…the greatest dog breed ever! I am addicted to their positive, forgiving ways. They also keep you moving with several walks a day!

Comment by weary Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:27 am
TY for adding both.

Comment by Loyal Virus Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:32 am
Both currently.

Grew up with all of the farm animals except cattle but none of the cats and only one dog was allowed inside. As a grown-up, it’s been all dogs all the time but the kids clamored enough for a cat that we caved at Christmas.

The funny part is that for some reason this kitty bonded with me more than the other people in this house who actually wanted one. And she’s cute. Bonus: turns out the MIL is allergic to cats.

Someone previously mentioned the pain in putting down a dog. That’s the reason this one will likely be our last.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:33 am
Voted cat. Would have been both, but had to euthanize my little girl on Monday. Heartbreaking.

Comment by Papa2008 Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:34 am
7 dogs over 45 years.

High intelligence, sweet temperament. Great companions. Down to one senior dog. Grateful for U.of I Ver teaching hospital.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:34 am
Dogs. They are always happy to see you, loyal to the end.

If there is a heaven, it is where all of my dogs are waiting for me.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 11:41 am
Love dogs but our last one passed away 25 years ago. We never got another first because of the heartbreak but now because we’re retired and frequently travel.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:01 pm
Voted no pet. If we had one, it would be a dog. But, like -Stones-, we didn’t get another one because we travel frequently.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:09 pm
Cat. They’re more self-supporting.

Comment by In_The_Middle Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:40 pm
Want a dog, or cat, or possibly a few of each. Spouse not on-board, but working on it.

Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:40 pm
We have two cats, a mama and son, we adopted in 2021.

We don’t object to dogs at all, but our lifestyle suits the independence of cats better.

Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 12:58 pm
I’ve had cats all my life, never went and looked for one, never went to a shelter for one, never bought one. They find me, or sometimes their pregnant moms find me.

Right now I have 2 that were born here, one stray who comes in at night, and one feral who stays outside and has the run of the garage. Everyone has their claws and is spayed/neutered, chipped.

The stretch goal is for the feral to want to come in at night.

Comment by We've never had one before Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:10 pm
Both. We currently have two cats and a dog. The cats, aside from litter box duty, are lower maintenance and show more affection is generally supposed of them. I’ve never had a mean dog, but this one we have now is a sweetheart. She’s good with people and kids. But a dog always has to be accounted for if we want to do something where we’ll be away fore more than a couple of hours.

Comment by Jaguar Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:13 pm
We had both but our two cats passed away and my wife isn’t inclined to get another one. I was the dog person, she was the cat person, but once we got our dog, she fell instantly in love with him

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:15 pm
Dogs, because they are pack animals.

Comment by Ward Heeler Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:25 pm
I love both but cats match my lifestyle and personality better. Yes, cats are generally less social but it also depends on the cat. My cats are very affectionate and do know simple commands such as “eat” or “come.”

Comment by CentralILExpat Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:32 pm
Dogs. Dogs have owners, cats have staff.

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:49 pm
I grew up with dogs and love them, but I’ve had cats for the past nearly 20 years and they’re much easier to take care of, especially if you’re an apartment dweller. Of course, my first cat was quite dog-like, which made it easier to adjust

Comment by Tony DeKalb Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 1:50 pm
Dogs identify humans as a separate species, cats think you’re a cat. Dummies.

Comment by ThatOneGuyinBlono Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 3:17 pm
My wife and I love and have had both dogs and cats, but are at the moment a two cat family b/c circumstances just don’t allow for giving a dog the care it needs. Both cats are rescues and suitably spoiled. One is a diabetic elderly grande dame diva, the other a gorgeous Maine coon kitten found lost in some woods when about three months old. Now at ten months, he busies himself testing every boundary in an effort to destroy the house. He has no sense or fear, except of his “sister” who can freeze him in his tracks with a single hiss.

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 4:14 pm
Two cats! I grew up with cats in the house my entire life and my current two are basically my kids. I hope to own a dog as well eventually, but cats are the perfect combo of affection and independence. Dogs are needy.

Comment by Shibboleth Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 4:34 pm
Grew up with both dogs and cats. Right now we don’t have any sonce our beautiful yellow lab. It’s just not time. The time will come and we will probably get another rescue dog who chooses us.

On another note, the backyard squirrels seem to enjoy our company. They come and sit a few feet away from us in the backyard and don’t seem intimidated or scared if we stand up to go back inside. I think they miss the dog too.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 4:43 pm
Dogs are friendly, great for walk companions, good protectors for kids with two working parents (which I was growing up). Cats are just sneaky.

Comment by Interested Bystander Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 5:00 pm
Cats are way easier.

Comment by someonehastosayit Thursday, Jun 15, 23 @ 5:35 pm
Animals are like humans in the fact that beauty is only skin deep. When you go to a shelter let your new best friend, cat, dog, rabbit, whatever, pick you instead of picking them. I’ve never been disappointed doing this.

To the question, both. I have a car and a dog and they are both loving, affectionate companions.

Comment by Da big bad wolf Friday, Jun 16, 23 @ 5:48 am