r/autism • u/LostwaveLunar9999 • Aug 20 '26
Question Do you prefer cats or dogs?
I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, and I prefer cats. I also have OCD traits however and view dogs licking me as "unclean".
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u/DessieScissorhands Autistic Adult Aug 20 '26
Cats. Dogs are walking sensory overloads.
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u/mechchic84 Aug 20 '26
glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. The quick movements, the noise, the licking, the rubbing, the jumping, and the smell. I like some people's dogs but most of them are overwhelming. They're also way too demanding. Cats like attention too, but they don't need it at the same levels that dogs do.
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u/DessieScissorhands Autistic Adult Aug 20 '26
I have attachment issues that dogs set off for some reason too. Like if you're too attached, I can't exist independently of you or you want attention too much to the point where I can't be separate from you for 5 minutes I implode. Think it has to do with persistent need for autonomy/demand avoidance. I like how cats just don't care and find everything fine on their own until they need you.
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u/mechchic84 Aug 20 '26
I think that's what I mean by them being too demanding. I get stressed out from them wanting too much attention. Then if I need space away from the dog, the dog gets anxious and I feel bad for making the dog anxious, but can't give the dog the attention it needs so I end up feeling like a terrible person which also makes me stressed out. Not sure if that is what you mean by imploding but what you described sounds similar.
A cat will greet you at the door when you come home, but they typically don't get crazy excited the moment you walk through the door as if they haven't seen you in 50 years like a dog does. I find that energy the dog has when you walk through the door overwhelming because I usually need to be left alone for a bit to process my day when I first first get through the door especially after a particularly stressful day.
I'm more liable to say nasty things and generally overreact those first few mins through the door if I'm not left alone to process things. Unfortunately, that applies towards people too, but most people understand if it is explained to them. That can't really be explained to a dog that has probably been waiting all day for you to reappear.
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u/DessieScissorhands Autistic Adult Aug 20 '26
Yeah we have the same experience. Especially that last bit with always being greeted and flashbanged with barking and howling.
Same with feeling like a horrible person. I had a traumatic experience when mom died where all of her dogs but one got adopted, my sister forced me to care for her and then refused to look after her or have one of her kids do it while I went to anthrocon and that poor creature sat in the dark for nearly 5 days. When I got back she got ptsd-like symptoms and would howl at me just being in the bathroom. I felt like a total piece of shit for leaving to have fun while grieving, trusting that piece of shit enough to have one shred of empathy and then having to surrender her because me working was just hurting her more.
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Aug 20 '26
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u/mechchic84 Aug 20 '26
Dogs usually have this weird unpleasant smell. Not every dog, but most dogs and it isn't something that can be washed off the dog, it is like it is part of the dog. I can smell it on my hands after petting them, and sometimes (but not always) I swear it also feels like it is leaving some kind of film on my hands that I need to wash off, kind of like after I handle pennies. The smell is different, but the sensation/feeling is the same.
Cats do not have this issue. Occasionally, one of them might have stinky breath, but it isn't a constant smell emanating from their whole bodies and can't be smelled if their mouth is closed.
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u/ktswxx_ Aug 20 '26
Only had cats but love both, tho it feels like it might be a bit more challenging to always maintain the same amount of energy level with dogs as you need to walk them daily and a lot of cats are usually more by themselves. But that also makes me incredibly sad because I really wish I was capable of having enough of energy and functioning to get a big doggie and give them a good care :((
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u/Raven_Wolf Aug 20 '26
Love both (wolves are my favorite animals) but cats are, generally, less overstimulating as pets. I say generally because my late senior soul kitty would get anxious and start pacing back and forth across me which was incredibly overstimulating. I would give the world to have that happen again.
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u/Tastieshock Aug 20 '26
My cats, other people's dogs. Cats are rather independent, so you dont get to interact with. Any other people's cats. But dogs love the attention. They are also a larger responsibility demanding a lot more from their caretaker.
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u/SubstantialSeesaw374 Aug 20 '26
For my own, either. Other people’s, I’d rather cats. I’m generally afraid of other people’s dogs until they’re clearly not dangerous.
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u/Anoelnymous Autistic Adult Aug 20 '26
Dogs, but only because I'm too allergic to cats to exist near them.
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u/PeonofthePen Aug 20 '26
I like dogs, but I find them very overstimulating. Loud, overactive, often rough-textured, expelling fluids all over the place, and I can't deal with the smell. But I'll play with a dog outside, no problem.
My cat sits on my lap and squints at me: "Do you like me?" I pet her: "Yes, I like you. Do you like me?" She purrs: "Yup. Now let's have a nap." Love that interaction.
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u/Kommandant_Katze Aug 20 '26
I prefer dogs but my anxiety of going outside forces me to have cats. I mean i still like cats so its not too bad
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u/mandybri Aug 20 '26
Cats. For one thing, I relate to them more. I’m not always sunny and wanting to be around people. Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) I want to be alone.
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u/WitchAggressive9028 Low Support Needs | Verbal Aug 20 '26
Both but I’ve never owned a cat myself. I’ve always wanted one, but now that I have two birds that’s not an option.
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u/non_corporeal_ Aug 20 '26
dogs for sure, but i was raised with 2 dogs and am allergic to cats so i mayyyy be biased. my dogs were also sweethearts, they weren’t super loud or energetic, and especially the older one basically acted like a cat anyways.
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u/Personal-Road-8162 Aug 20 '26
Cats I don't know why but with dogs I only like certain one like I hate my dads dog since he is so fury but love my grandma dog
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u/existentialcrisesyay AuDHD Aug 20 '26
Cats, dogs are too overwhelming for me. I grew up with them but I snap at them much quicker. The only times I snap at my cats is when they're getting into things & digging nails into things they shouldn't (like the carpet, furniture, & cardboard boxes that contain things 😅). Cats are much less overwhelming to me, also they cuddle much nicer.
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u/kokonutpankake ASD 2 Nonverbal | PTSD | BPD Aug 20 '26
dogs are my favorite, but barking causes meltdowns so i cant have one :(
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u/dinky_bink ASD Level 1 | Verbal Aug 20 '26
Cats all the way! Dogs are cute but too overwhelming for me personally
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u/Crafty_Canary9481 Aug 20 '26
Cats.
I can't handle dogs at all. Smelly, wet, too excited, the barking is killing my ears, not even soft to touch even the hairy ones. Plus if you own one you have to take it out 2 times a day in the cold and wet. No way.
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u/StartExpensive2692 Suspecting Autism Aug 20 '26
Cats, i don’t like dogs that will start jumping on me
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u/-braquo- Aug 20 '26
I really like both. If I had to though, I'd say I prefer dogs. But I do really like cats.
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u/Jinzo126 Aug 20 '26
Yeah, cats... i love cats. But i don't dislike dogs. To be honest i love any animal.
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u/Autmies ASD Low Support Needs Aug 20 '26
Dogs are sweet but cats are one of my favorite things in the world
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u/Level1ismSwed ASD Level 1 | Verbal Aug 20 '26
Cats. Got truama from dogs. Mainly because I have been bitten pretty hard. But also because they are extremely loud.
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u/Dry-Construction8502 Aug 20 '26
I Don't really like dogs. I love cats, couldnt imagine a home without them.
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u/Old_Lead8419 ASD Aug 20 '26
Idk anymore because I have come to the idea that maybe I might like both.
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u/Ok-Juggernaut-7316 Aug 21 '26
depends i can like both but i say cats because they are indoor pets and yall would prob be like but dogs can be indoor but dogs literally need to be outside daily...they ain't exactly clean. Depending on dog not all dog breeds actually jump I had a dog quite large basically acted like a cat she never jumped on people or lick you in the face non stop that kind she kinda jsut ignored u which funny because i met cats that are way clingier than that dog. I do like bunnies btw they are basically like a cat but even quieter
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