One of the biggest dilemmas that first-time pet owners often deal with is the decision of which pet to get. Most of the time, it boils down to two of the most popular candidates: cats and dogs.
Sometimes it’s easy to call oneself a “dog person” or a “cat person,” but what if you happen to love both? To better determine which of these two best suits your needs, here’s a short guide to help you decide whether to get a pooch or a kitty of your own.
Why You Should Get a Dog
Dogs are known as man’s best friend, and there are plenty of reasons to justify humans’ love for canines. A dog may also be the right pet for you if the following things apply:
You Have a Yard or Ample Space in Your Residence
Dogs, especially the larger breeds, usually require tons of space to play and move around. Unlike cats, dogs typically need more than just a litter box and enough indoor space to lounge around in. Most dog breeds benefit from having a yard or outdoor space for exercise and potty training.
If you live somewhere without a lot of open space, such as an apartment block, it will help to be near a park or other open spaces so that you have somewhere to take your dog for playtime. Conversely, if you’re lacking in outdoor space, you should either get a cat or get a smaller dog whose need for space isn’t as urgent. Regardless of your choice of pet, you’ll need to make sure you have enough room for your future fur baby’s essentials, such as their stainless steel bowls, pet beds, toys, and other items.
You’re an ‘Outdoorsy’ Type
As mentioned above, dogs need enough free space to be active. As a general rule, dogs need regular walks or at least 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise to stay physically fit and mentally stimulated. That doesn’t mean that cats don’t require physical activity entirely—they just don’t need as much of it as dogs do, and they don’t need to be outdoors to do it. Hence, it would help to be naturally attuned to the outdoors if you want to own a dog.
On top of being able to take your dog on regular outdoor walks, you should also be willing to spend on the necessary equipment such as leashes and collars. Having the requisite equipment will allow both you and your dog to be safe and in tune with each other’s movements whenever you’re outside.
You’re Willing to Invest Time in Training
One of the main reasons cats are considered more “low-maintenance” pets than dogs is that the latter often needs a lot of training. Most of the time, training is most effective when pups are young enough to strengthen their muscle memories.
Apart from potty training, your dog may need to be trained for matters such as good behavior and car travel, among others. Only get a dog if you can commit to both the time and the resources needed to train them.
Your Finances Can Handle Grooming and Other Upkeep Costs
If you want to have a healthy and well-groomed dog, you need to be prepared to spend some cash. Dogs are typically more expensive to keep than cats, both in terms of ownership and upkeep. Dogs can cost up to USD 3,000 to own while cats can cost around USD 300 to USD 1,000 to own, depending on the breed.
Even if you adopt a dog instead of buying one, you still have to worry about recurring expenses such as vaccinations, veterinary care, grooming, and pet accessories. Dogs also require more looking-after when you need to go on a long trip, which requires you to spend more upfront on pricey services like dog walking. Take your budgetary constraints into consideration before you say yes to owning a dog.
Why You Should Get a Cat
If the criteria mentioned above don’t fit your needs or lifestyle, a feline might be the better choice of pet for you. Cat parents are among the most enthusiastic pet parents, and if the following apply to you, you may be just as fulfilled as they are when you become a cat owner:
You Have a Small Living Space
As stated above, dogs require plenty of outdoor space and activity. Cats, on the other hand, are fine with limited indoor space as long as they have their food, toys, and other items such as scratching posts to keep them occupied. They also get enough exercise and mental stimulation from climbing and utilizing vertical space, so you don’t have to worry about anything other than the fragile items in your residence.
You Lead a Busy Lifestyle
Dogs require lots of attention in the form of play, exercise, and training. By contrast, cats are often perfectly fine on their own and won’t need much looking over. This can be a good thing for busybodies who want pets but also need time to focus on other things.
On a related note, this is also the reason cats are well-suited for those who travel a lot. Unlike dogs, cats don’t really need to be walked or played with. If you’re out of town, you can get a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your cat regularly. There are also specialized places, like catteries, that can handle the job, which often isn’t that overbearing.
That said, you should only get an animal that you’re still willing to spend most of your time with. Even if they don’t require as much hands-on attention as dogs do, domesticated cats are still their owner’s responsibility.
You Prefer Low-Maintenance Grooming
In general, cats tend to be better at self-grooming than dogs. Dogs tend to be messy, with many getting their fur matted with mud after a playful tumble in the yard. Cats, on the other hand, typically spend hours licking their fur, and they are usually tidier than dogs.
You can still opt for grooming services for your cat, especially when trimming their claws, cleaning their eyes or ears, brushing their fur, and bathing them. For everyday grooming and maintenance, however, they will mostly take care of themselves.
You Have an Independent Personality
There’s a good reason cats are associated with introverted personalities who like to be left alone. Cats tend to be more independent than dogs, and that kind of disposition naturally favors owners with an independent spirit. Felines also tend to be quite temperamental rather than outwardly clingy or playful, so if you’re not the type who likes to snuggle or play fetch, you could be the perfect owner for a cat.
What Else Should You Consider before Getting a Cat or Dog?
All that said, it’s also important to make certain considerations that will come with owning any type of pet. For instance, you need to take note of any pet-related allergies that you or the people you live with might have. You also need to bear in mind that some people are more sensitive to animals than others, and that your housemates or neighbors might not take to constant barking or meowing.
Lastly, you need to do your research on different cat and dog breeds to determine which ones have the best characteristics (e.g., fur thickness, size, temperament) for your lifestyle and the environment you live in. These are just a few of the responsibilities you have to stay on top of, whether you ultimately choose to get a dog or a cat.
Overall, having a dog or cat can be a very rewarding decision given the kind of companionship you can only get from a furry, four-legged friend. Whether you opt for a canine or a feline, the most important thing is that you can give them the love and attention that all fur babies deserve.
