The cats vs. dogs debate has been going for what seems like forever, but the winner has always been obvious to me. Dogs are better than cats.

Even though both pets are adorable, dogs are still the obvious winners in my mind.

While cats seem to deliberately ignore you unless they want something, dogs will always be a friend you can count on. Who wants a cat that will ignore you when you can have a dog who will give you limitless love and attention? Dogs will lick your face when you’re having a bad day. Cats will glare at you from across the room and lick themselves.

Cats aren’t as active as dogs are, which makes dogs perfect companions for your exercise routine. Dogs promote a healthy lifestyle for their owners, while cats typically refuse to go on walks, unless you drag your feline out of the door.

Additionally, many dog breeds can be trained to become service animals, help the police or the military, and participate in search and rescue efforts. Cats participate in ignore and abandon.

Okay, some people may like the idea of litter boxes, but they’re just disgusting to me—who wants that in the house? I’d rather let my dogs out into the backyard or take them on a short walk. You can even install a dog door where your dog (or even some cats) can leave when they see fit.

On the other hand, admittedly cats are generally much quieter than dogs, especially when your dog likes to bark at nothing like both of mine do.

Comparing dogs and cats is like comparing the sun and moon; they’re both completely different. Your preference depends entirely on your personality and the kinds of pets you grew up with.

Don’t worry though; if I ever visit, I’ll greet both your pets with pets.