I loved my cats for what they were. I've had 5 during my life and they were all very sociable and part of the family. I find them very interesting to watch. I see the wild side of them which is different from what I see in dogs. I found them easier in the way that they could be left alone for longer periods of time, even over a week end as long as they had plenty of food and water and a couple litter boxes. I usually had more than one at a time and they all got along great.
Priscilla, my mama cat would follow me like a dog to my neighbors where we use to live when I went for a cup of coffee and a chat. She'd sit on their porch and watch me through the window, waiting for me. Then she'd follow me back home, up our long driveway.
My cats were all very sociable and never did that sudden biting or scratching things some do. They were just lovely. There was one exception to that loveliness and that was that they began peeing in the house...in closets and such. I can't tolerate that so I will not ever take a risk by getting another cat. It's just the worst thing as it ruins a house. Unless it's a really big house where the litter box can be far away from the living area, no thanks...no more cats. Cat excrement is really the
most odoriferous, revolting thing ever.
I think they're more territorial than dogs and as we added cats, that's when it started. Their litter boxes were cleaned every day more than once. They loved affection and sitting on laps. But they were also content to be left alone and just hang out on a window sill or sleep on a couch.
Dogs....no, my dogs could not be left alone for as long as I could my cats. They're much more dependent and need more involvement from their people. I think it all boils down to the fact that humans and dogs had a convergent evolution. We're attached at the hip as far as our development. Dogs understand many of human social cues. Phenomenally, we are both really designed to live with one another through evolution.
Some say cats are still in the process actually, of becoming domesticated. If they are already domesticated, then it hasn't been nearly as long as dogs have been. Most felines are solitary (not lions) and dogs are not. So, dogs train up easier imo, being so linked to the niche provided by humans.
I guess in some ways, cats are easier than dogs but in other ways, cats can be harder. I guess it depends on the beholder as to what chores or living style one considers to be easier or more difficult. lol. For me, cats are more independent and less time consuming. But the litter box business! Yuck. They both can cause some destruction to a house or belongings. But puppies usually grow out of that. Not sure about cats. My cats weren't too bad regarding that sort of thing. They just weren't mischief makers in too big of a way. But cats aren't as easy to train imo. They're independent compared to most dogs...more of a solitary animal. Dogs are by design use to working with humans.
Okay, enough rambling.