Which Makes the Better Pet for You and Your Lifestyle?
Some people are dog lovers, while others are cat lovers. Many people love both cats and dogs and find that they can have both animals happily co-existing in their home. Both animals make wonderful, loving pets. However, there may be certain situations in which one type of pet will work better for a specific individual or family. Let’s take a look at some instances where it may come down to cats vs. dogs and deciding upon the best fit for you and your family.
Dogs
Dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend”. They can be protective, loving, faithful, and playful. However, they do require daily care from their owners. Dogs will need to be walked and cleaned up after, so if you are someone who lives alone, works long hours, and rarely has any time to devote to your pet, a dog may not be the right choice for you. If you want to own a dog, make sure that you have adequate time in your schedule to meet the needs of your pet. If you have a busy, active family, perhaps put a certain family member in charge of a particular task on a particular day of the week. For example, on Mondays, Susie walks the dog and cleans up after him. This way, no one person is handling the all pet responsibilities and the pet has someone around much of the time.
When considering a dog, another thing to take into consideration is where you live. Many apartments or rented homes may not allow a dog, or at least not certain breeds of dogs. You will also consider arrangements for your pet for time when you and your family are away on vacation or away from home for any period of time. Some dogs will be fine under the short term care of a friend or neighbor looking in on them, while other breeds may require being kenneled during your absence.
For larger dogs, be sure they have sufficient room to run and play. Also, when choosing a breed of dog, remember that the larger the dog, the more he will eat. This can become very costly for some larger pets, so take this into consideration if it comes down to a cats vs. dogs situation.
Cats
If you live alone and are away from home during much of the day, a cat can be a nice companion to greet you and cuddle up to when you return home. Most cats are very affectionate to their owners and can be just as devoted as dogs. In many cases, a cat will also be allowed in an apartment complex or other rental community that will not allow dogs, because cats are much quieter pets and don’t bark and disturb neighbors. Cats may also be the better choice of you have little or no yard space.
Cats are also a good option for those pet lovers who simply don’t have much time to spend taking care of their pet. The cat will not need to be let outside to do his business, as he has his own litter box. As long as you are able to set out fresh food and water for your pet, and scoop out the littler box for a few minutes each night, this may be the perfect pet for you. Cats are also generally smaller than dogs and require less food to be purchased, saving you money. You can also usually find a willing friend or neighbor to stop by once a day in your absence.
Keep in mind that if anyone in your household is allergies to pets, a cat is much more likely to aggravate their condition than dogs, generally speaking. If this is the case, a hypoallergenic dog may be a better choice.
There are several factors to consider when it comes down to a cats vs. dogs decision. Deciding if you can adequately take care of the animal(s) is the most important factor. Keep in mind that proper pet care for either animal involves regular vet visits, attention, food, and plenty of love.
