The choice of whether to have a dog or cat may be a simple one to make for some first-time owners. If you are a potential
owner that is struggling with whether or not to purchase a dog or a cat, then you are in the right place. There is not one
best pet in general, so your choice of a cat or dog is completely based on what you are looking for. When choosing, it comes
down to whether you want the playful, affectionate nature of a dog, or the independence and companionship of a cat.
You might be able to find a more social cat who does well in a smaller apartment, or a more independent dog who loves your
larger home. If you live in a smaller apartment and you do not have the time to walk your dog every day or take him out
running. Your living situation might be better suited to a cat. If you are not getting a kitten, think about whether you want
an indoor cat or outdoor cat. And make a choice based on that, since some cats are trained to handle a variety of situations.
Depending on the breed of the cat, you may get a cat that likes to perch on your lap, or a Shadow that follows you everywhere
you go.
If you do not want much fuss, but want companionship. Cats may be the pets you are looking for. If training your own pet is
not something you are willing to commit to, a cat may be the best choice for you. If you have limited indoor space, an active
lifestyle, or just want a pet that is a little more independent, then a cat might be better for you than a dog.
When choosing between a cat or dog, you need to think about how much time you can devote to your pet (dogs need more time
than cats, and they do not like being left home alone), how much money you can afford to spend (dogs are more expensive than
cats), and the type of personality the animal has previously had (dogs are more needy and affectionate compared to
independent cats). When choosing a pet, it is important to find an individual cat or dog who will best match your personality
and living situation. While the independent nature of cats often helps them cope better with being left alone than dogs, it
is important to keep in mind that all cats are not the same.
While cats are typically more independent than dogs, they are not autonomous loners.
They offer companionship, but they can
be quite costly, need lots of attention, and need lots of space to run around. Cats tend to get bored or overstimulated a lot
easier than dogs, and by then, want to escape for a bit. Because dogs require more one-on-one attention than cats, they are
not well-suited for people who travel frequently or work long hours.
Cats do require attention too, but are not nearly as active as dogs, and certainly do not require the same amount of exercise
and care. Unlike cats, well-trained dogs are not naturally solitary animals, so they do not need to be left alone all day —
if you are working long hours or you have a highly demanding job, consider if you will be able to provide the complete
attention that they deserve. Cats do like human attention, but like it in smaller doses than dogs, and on their terms.
We have all seen the cat versus dog personality memes, and even if your cat is more of the social variety, they still enjoy
having their own space to call their own, where they can go and rest whenever they feel like it. While cats and dogs are not
necessarily always enemies (as often depicted), they are quite different temperamentally, which, in turn, draws different
types of pet owners.
For this reason, you should find out whether any of your frequent visitors are allergic to dogs or cats before choosing a
pet. As with all pets, you will want to be judicious in doling out treats to cats, too, to avoid health problems associated
with obesity. The biggest thing to think about is that you want to introduce wet foods as soon as possible, since cats can be
pretty fussy with consistency. If you are concerned about how it is going to impact your budget, then a mixture of wet and
dry cat food may be appropriate.
One of the most important things you can do is make sure that your initial encounter is in a controlled environment.
Which
means that you will want to use leashes or some kind of barrier to ensure that both cat and dog are safe, DiCicco says. If
your dog is digging into a separation barrier or barking incessantly at your new kitty for more than a day or two, an
introduction probably is not going to work without the right training. Whether you are getting a new cat or dog, that initial
introduction between your existing animal and the new one is an extremely important part of the process.
Once your dog is quiet (or at least does not become obsessed with your new kitty) and the cat is quiet, eating, and using the
litter box as normal, you are ready for the next steps. Sometimes, you need to keep your dog in a crate or in another room
(or bring him somewhere else if he cannot stay outside) so that the cat has some time to run around freely and explore the
dogs scent. Unsupervised time together may happen once both cat and dog have been around each other under supervision. for a
considerable amount of time (a month or more) and you are certain that both animals are not going to harm one another. If the
cat you are adopting is your first in the house, you will want to take Cats Eye View of the house so that anything
potentially dangerous is removed.
