Why Are Dogs More Sociable Than Cats?
If you ask a person who has a dog why he prefers dogs to cats, the answer might be: dogs are more sociable. But, is this true? We will see below the reasons for this statement.
Are dogs actually more sociable than cats?
First of all, we want to reaffirm that we like all kinds of animals, whether they are dogs, cats or anything else.
This article only intends to inform about the results of studies carried out between the two most common pets in the world: dogs and cats.
We cannot deny that dogs are more expressive and show more affection. When we get home, when we give them prizes or when we take them for a walk.
These are the superficial and obvious reasons why many people claim dogs are more sociable than other pets.
However, there are deeper arguments that demonstrate this, such as the existence of genes that play an important role in a disease that also attacks humans, Williams-Beuren syndrome.
It has been shown that humans who have this disorder have extreme and indiscriminate sociability as a result of the disease.
This study was done by the University of Oregon, Princeton and a few others. During the research, these genes were found, which have to do with the human disorder, and which in dogs presents itself as a genetic mutation.
How was this study done?
To analyze the matter in depth, the behavior of 18 dogs of different breeds, pure or hybrid, was taken into account.
In addition, 10 captive bred wolves were added to the experiment. In conclusion, it was proved that, even with both species living with humans, dogs demonstrated a high level of sociability, much higher than wolves.
Even with similar genes, only people and dogs were equal in level of sociability. In people, for example, this disorder also gives rise to a different physical appearance, like an elf. It appears to be caused by a missing part of chromosome seven.
However, among dogs, these mutated genes are found on chromosome six, and the animal does not undergo any change in its physical appearance.
In addition, they are present in all dogs, regardless of breed or age, and this gives them this ability to sociability.
However, there may be variations depending on the specimen. Thus, some may undergo changes in these genes, which make them more sympathetic than normal.
Or, on the contrary, some can be altered to the point of showing a lesser sociability than usual.
Furthermore, it is believed that the existence of these genes has to do with the relationships with humans, as it is estimated that this alteration in the genes made the wolves feel fear and become more gentle.
Thus, humans and dogs could gain each other’s trust and pave the way for the pet-owner relationship we know today.
Does this mean that cats are not sociable?
Of course not. As we said at the beginning, we are in favor of all pets and animals. The cats are very apt animals to live with us. Even though they have a reputation for being more independent, they are still good companion animals.
The difference lies in the fact that cats “are more their own”, with nothing else that matters to them but themselves.
They like us, but when they want. They give affection, but when they want. They come to us, but when they want.
That’s the main difference with dogs. Also, cats generally do not interact in the same way in the presence of unknown people or animals. That’s something you can’t deny, but it doesn’t mean they’re looking down on us.
Is that you? Is it more dogs or cats ? Surely you have already noticed this difference… but did you already know the reason?
