Where you live also plays a big role in the decision â or even makes the decision for you. Some apartments or condos have restrictions on the size or type of pet you can have. If your building doesn’t permit dogs, don’t break the rules and get one. The worst thing to do is to adopt a loving puppy, and then return him to the shelter.
And the cat’s famous independence is also a consideration. Because she doesn’t feel the need to please, a cat will approach you for affection when she wants to be petted and stroked. Can your ego stand catering to your pet’s whims?
When you do get home, you can lie on the couch and vegetate; she’ll probably be happy to curl up with you for a nap. Cats do need play time, but the effort is less taxing on you because she’ll do the running and jumping.
All pets require love, attention, play time, some grooming and regular veterinary visits. How much differs between a dog and a cat. The choice comes down to what you want out of a pet and how much energy you are prepared to devote.
Vacations or business trips add to the complexity. You will need to find someone to dog sit because he will get very lonely without you. If you can’t find someone to housesit, then you may have to find a good kennel. Finding the right kennel can also be time-consuming, not to mention expensive.
What breed of cat should I choose?
There are many different breeds, some of which will require extra care and attention, for example if they have a very long coat or even no coat at all. (See our A-Z of cat breeds). Some pedigree cats are more people orientated and may not like to be left alone for long periods. If you are out all day at work it may be worth getting two kittens together for company – do your research about the breed you are interested in. Always make sure that health comes first, no matter what the ‘look’. How to choose a kitten
Is there a type of cat which doesn’t hunt?
You may have a great aversion to your cat hunting outside. Perhaps you are a bird lover, or are simply unable to deal with small carcases on the floor. Hunting is normal behaviour for cats. Keeping a cat indoors may prevent it actually killing anything, but it will still need an outlet for this, its most instinctive behaviour, and not all cats will be happy with an indoor lifestyle. Likewise, if you’re simply getting a cat to keep vermin at bay, you won’t want to find yourself with one which isn’t especially interested in huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ and prefers being a couch potato! Older cats are likely to hunt much less than younger ones and some cats don’t bother at all, but there is no easy way to know how a cat will behave.
Top 10 Reasons Why Cats are Better than Dogs
Cats vs. dogs – as long as they’ve been domesticated our population has been divided into those that prefer cats and those that prefer dogs. We think that both make for great companions, but if you’re strongly on “team dog”, read on. This list of 10 reasons why cats make great pets may just change your mind.
If noise levels are a concern in your living situation, cats are a great choice of pet. Even the quietest bark will likely be much louder than the most insistent meowing. Depending on the cat, you may need to worry about other sounds such as them knocking things off of surfaces or running around at top speed, but they are still likely to be more quiet overall.
Compared to dogs, cats are a low maintenance pet. They don’t require formal training, they don’t need to be taken out multiple times a day, and they’re even able to take care of basic self-cleaning. Of course, long-haired cats will still require regular grooming, but it will likely involve less regular grooming than long-haired dogs.