The cat is a more elegant animal than a/the dog.

[Snappy]

"The cat is a more elegant animal than a dog."

Is the above sentence acceptable if I want to say that "cats are more elegant animals than dogs" or "the cat is a more elegant animal than the dog (in collective terms)."?

[konungursvia]

Either "cats..... dogs" or "The cat.... the dog."

[sunsunmoon]

Either "cats..... dogs" or "The cat.... the dog."

Is "cats..... dogs" more common?

[konungursvia]

Yes, the other is more French in style.