Another Dog vs Cat Debate

[AKKuya]

In the very near future, humans will colonize Mars.  When the industrial, technical engineering and scientific advancements finally establish a workable and livable outpost, humans can bring domesticated pets.  Which animal would be the best and why?

Fish, mice, snakes, or anything kept in an enclosed tank or cage would be exempt.  The animal needs to have free roam throughout the facility. Larger animals are open for debate and those reasons would be very illuminating.

Myself, I choose the cat due to me being lazy and knowing the cat can be cared for with some food, water, and kitty litter.  The cat is very independent.  The low upkeep keeps the cat a very low risk.   

[Devil 505]

Cats all day. Not just for the reasons you mention. If history has taught us anything it is that wherever humanity travels, mice and rats will follow.

[eagl]

If there are threats to humanity that can be dealt with by a pack animal with teeth, then by all means bring dogs.  If you're concerned mostly with pests like the inevitable mice and rats, or want to provide relatively independent companions for people, then cats.  Big cats that aren't afraid of rats.  If the rats get too big, bring dog breeds that like chasing rats. 

If you're talking humans around a campfire with apex predators around though, you need some big dogs around.

[1stpar3]

If there are threats to humanity that can be dealt with by a pack animal with teeth, then by all means bring dogs.  If you're concerned mostly with pests like the inevitable mice and rats, or want to provide relatively independent companions for people, then cats.  Big cats that aren't afraid of rats.  If the rats get too big, bring dog breeds that like chasing rats. 

If you're talking humans around a campfire with apex predators around though, you need some big dogs around.

CATS are....uhmmm Dogs....HECK YEAH! Your gonna be on MARS...pretty sure "Herding" Cats will be a bigger problem there! The way I see it...it will be the Homosapien "CATS" that would be the acceptable 

[BuckShot]

Dogs for protection. The grey's mind control does not work with them. No tin foil required.

[Nypsy]

Why not both?

[Greebo]

I'd think the early years of any Mars colonisation would have to be very careful with air, water and food allocation. Although these things can be grown or extracted on Mars you wouldn't want to waste them on animals that had no real use and I can't see rats being a problem for ages. More likely the first Mars colony animals would be something like chickens or goats as they aren't too big, can survive on leftovers and you can get milk, eggs and meat from them.

[Skuzzy]

Chickens can proliferate like crazy, so cats would have a constant food source.  Dogs cannot live on just chickens.  Dogs require a more complex diet than cats do.

Dogs need water.  Cats can live off the blood of their kills (i.e. the chicken).

Generally speaking, obligate carnivores will have an easier time, in a hostile environment, where there is a steady supply of fresh victims to kill.

As to which is more useful to the human needs.  That is up for debate.  A big dog is certainly a better protector than a small cat.  Then again, cats are the consummate hunter. 

Cats are a solitary animal, while dogs are pack animals. 

Cats also have a higher tolerance to heat than dogs.  Both are about the same for cold.

Both have advantages and disadvantages.  It will all depend on the specific need/requirement of the settlement.

[Zimme83]

Cats all day. Not just for the reasons you mention. If history has taught us anything it is that wherever humanity travels, mice and rats will follow.

How did you plan to get the rats to Mars?

[Wiley]

How did you plan to get the rats to Mars?

It won't happen at first, because it will be new and scary and they'll be checking every load that goes to Mars with a fine tooth comb.  Once it becomes mundane, a pregnant mouse or rat will get into some cargo and away they will go.

At first, anything that goes will need to be useful in some way.  Barring vermin, a cat or dog's usefulness in such a situation is pretty low IMO.

Wiley.

[Shuffler]

Aliens hate dogs.

[BuckShot]

Once rodents get into the settlement you could always close some airlock bulkheads and vent sections to the martian atmosphere.

[Skuzzy]

Once rodents get into the settlement you could always close some airlock bulkheads and vent sections to the martian atmosphere.

Then they evolve to be able to live in the martian atmosphere and they attack your solar panels and you die.

[Drano]

Aliens hate dogs.

Yeah look what they did to that poor puppy in "The Thing"!

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[Ramesis]

How did you plan to get the rats to Mars?

How was the black plague initially brought to Europe?