Even if you love both — which you should, since they’re all amazing — you must have a preference.

Studies show that 38.4% of American households have a dog, whereas 25.4% share their home with a cat, but it isn’t always as simple as pitting felines against canines. Some landlords only allow one or the other, allergies can be a factor, and some people’s lifestyles are simply more conducive to dogs than they are to cats (or vice versa). If you’re a hiker or runner who loves the great outdoors, there’s no companion like a high-energy pup; homebodies may be more comfortable chilling on the couch with a purring cat. If (some) cats and dogs can get along, so can the rest of us.