In general, cats are pretty quiet and I enjoy their mostly serene nature. In addition to my olfactory sensitivity, too much chaos triggers some of my anxiety issues. Time spent with cats is relaxing to me. Just watching them eat, play or birdwatch calms me to no end. Dogs are naturally more excitable and active than cats are. Their barks make me jump, and untrained dogs really scare me. I was attacked by a German Shepherd when I was five, and so I think I deal with a touch of PTSD. My cats are like gentle, weirdo little therapy animals for me.