Sep 14 2008
Cat versus dog: which one is right for you?
If you are new to the pet-owning arena, then you may be trying to figure out exactly what kind of animal you want to take home. The possibilities seem endless, since you can choose from fish, to birds, to reptiles, to cats and dogs. For the purpose of this article, the dog versus cat dilemma will be examined. There are a thousand in-depth reasons for choosing one over the other; but for the sake of your sanity (and mine), let’s stick to a few of the main, more obvious things to consider: time, family, housing, and well, “other.”
Time: Pets can take up lots of time but some require more than others. No matter what type of animal you bring into your home, you need to be able to provide enough of your time to feed, groom, and exercise or play with the pet. If you don’t have much extra time, then a puppy may not be a good idea. Like small children, puppies require lots of attention and training. However, an adult dog that is already trained will not be as demanding as a puppy. Cats, on the other hand, are more independent than dogs. You will still need to play with your cat, but you will not necessarily have to take her for a daily walk.
Family: If you have other members in your household, then take them into consideration. Small children will have to be monitored when they are around the pet, so this could make a difference in what type of animal you want (a small animal may be more easily injured than a larger one). An older family member may enjoy the soothing therapy of petting a cat, while not liking a rambunctious dog. Also, if you will have help caring for the animal, then consider the limits. Your child may be able to feed a cat, but may not be able to exercise with a dog.
Housing: Where you live can have a lot to do with what type of animal you choose. If you live in an apartment, then your choices may be somewhat limited. Don’t get me wrong, a dog can easily live in an apartment, but you will have to carefully select which breed you want in the small space. You must also consider how the pet will act when you are away from home. Since neighbors are in such a close proximity, they may not tolerate a yapping pooch. But, cats are not always ideal in a small space, either. If not cleaned at least once each day (sometimes multiple times depending on the cat), the litter box can release foul odors that spread through the apartment.
In addition to your living space, you must think about where the pet will live. If you want the pet to stay outdoors, then you still must provide it with housing. Cats and dogs can both reside outdoors, so that may not be a problem. However, will you be able to handle a dog digging underneath the fence or a cat destroying your garden? There are additional precautions you must take when you keep pets outdoors.
Other: There are a number of other things you must consider when it comes to a pet. Perhaps you, or a family member, are allergic to pet dander. Sometimes, a person can experience an allergic reaction around a cat but not have a reaction around a dog. There are also “hypoallergenic” pets that cause little or no reaction in allergic humans; you can find hypoallergenic cats and dogs. If you have a child in the home who is allergy sensitive, then this may also affect your decision. Until recently pets have been thought to cause allergies in young children; now, studies are showing that animals in the home can actually prevent asthma.
If you want a pet for security or for social reasons (i.e. alerting you when someone arrives or going to the dog park), then a loud cat probably won’t be your best choice. But, if you are looking for an animal that will enjoy your company without being entirely dependent upon you, a puppy may not fit that mold. There are tons of reasons why you would want a cat over a dog and vice versa, so try to think things through.
So, maybe this article didn’t make the cat versus dog decision for you, but hopefully it helped put a few factors into perspective. Deciding what type of pet to get involves more than just money; you have to take time, family, housing, and other matters into consideration. Cats and dogs are both great pets to have; it’s up to you to decide which best fits your lifestyle.
This article was provided by pet-super-store an online pet shop featuring aluminum dog crates, dog doors and dog carriers.