Should You Date a Cat Guy or a Dog Guy?

Most men can be categorized by the pets they own. So the debate I raise is: Men with Cats (MWC) vs. Men with Dogs (MWD).I should have known Ian wasn't the one for me after the first date, when he told me he had cats, two of them.

Look, I have nothing to add to the much-documented debate on the virtues of cats versus dogs. But based on my extensive dating experience, I do know that men can be categorized by the pets they own. So the debate I raise is: Men with Cats (MWC) vs. Men with Dogs (MWD).

I can say with veritable certainty, after dating said cat-guy for a tumultuous year (if you include our three breakups), that I should not date men who have cats.

I'm in no way deeming MWC undate-able. And I'm not saying that all MWD make great boyfriends. However, MWC and MWD exhibit specific characteristics that make them compatible with different types of women:

Men With Cats (MWC) are sensitive.

If you don't hear from a cat guy for a day, it's probably because he's mad at you for something you said. Reconciliation will entail a long conversation about what you really meant, how he felt when you said it and how sorry you really are.

On the plus side, making up with an MWC will be romantic and intense.

MWC are emotional.

These men are not heartless. They might cry during fights, but they'll also shed a tear or two at sappy movies. But hey, they will go with you to sappy movies.

Men who have dogs won't be caught dead at a chick-flick (unless it's the first month, when they will do anything.)

MWC need connection.

They want to stay in touch with you throughout the week, the day, the hour. They want to know how you're feeling, what you're feeling, why you're feeling it. They want to always feel connected.

The plus side is that you never have a doubt where you stand with them. The only one to take space will be you!

MWC are inflexible.

MWC love their neat little cats who do their neat little business in a litter box and don't have to go outside and muck about in the dirt like dogs. MWC are often more Type-A people who like things just so. (One of my exes had to arrange his books according to their height). Even if the MWC is not necessarily organized in the home, his outlook on life doesn't often leave room for much spontaneity.

But they'll be great at making long-term plans and commitments.

On the other hand...

Men With Dogs (MWD) are free spirits.

They have to walk their dogs two or three times a day, and who knows what kind of adventure this will take them on? But they may not be so good with type-A women who like to plan things out way in advance.

MWD are passive.

If they don't call you back, it's never, ever because they're upset at you. It's probably just because they forgot, or were too busy at work, or don't like you. You'll never have to wonder if MWD is mad at you, holding a grudge about something you said a month ago, or plotting an elaborate revenge fantasy.

On the other hand, his lack of drama might set you off kilter.

MWD are independent.

They take their space. They zone out. They're laid back and don't sweat the small stuff. It might be hard to know where you stand with a dog-man.

Of course there is an exception to every rule (especially a man who inherited a cat from his ex-girlfriend, or a man who loves both dogs and cats.) But the real reason that I don't date MWC, and really like MWD, is because each resembles the animal they room with.

Bottom line:

MWC are too finicky for me but MWD are refreshingly simple. MWD just want to be played with (you know what I mean here), occasionally snuggled and otherwise left alone. That's the guy for me.