Cats or dogs?

I, like many people, love animals; I always have. Because of this, I’ve always loved having pets and obviously, I’m not unique because of that. Millions and millions of people around the world have a pet, the most common being dogs and cats. But, sometimes people rush into buying a pet that they aren’t ready for, and this can be really harmful. 

It’s important to do your research when buying any animal. Realize that it’s a commitment, and although your pet will just be a part of your life, to your pet, you are their entire life. This is especially true for animals that show more affection and need attention. 

I have had experiences with a wide variety of animals, but before I comment on my experience, please remember that every animal is different and unique. They are all individual lives that have personalities formed by both their natural disposition as well as the experiences they’ve had. Please also note that I’m from the United States, and this means that the pets available to me are different than what may be available in other countries. 

Okay, so now that all the disclaimers are done, Let’s get to it! 

Dogs: Dogs are very popular pets, and for good reason. If the dog was raised right, they’ll be loving and even protective of their owner. There are a lot of different breeds and mixes, making them have some very unique looks and personalities. It’s the dream of many children to get their very own dog, but there’s plenty of responsibilities to consider. 

• Will you be able to give the dog the love it needs? Even dogs that are purchased for protection still need affection.
• Are you willing to clean up when they poop, or are sick? 
• Will you socialize and train them so that they never have the potential to be a danger to a person or animal? And if you can’t, will you take the responsibility of making sure they’re never in a position to harm someone? 
• Can you take them for a walk, or do you have a big enough space or land for them to run around? Dogs need exercise to be healthy. 
• Can you afford vet appointments, food, and preventative medication (to avoid things like fleas, ticks, or worms)?
• Are you prepared to trim their nails, brush them, and give them baths? If they have teeth issues, you may need to actually brush their teeth every so often. 

If you’re okay with all of these, then great: you’re prepared for a dog. Make sure to be careful of kennel clubs, as they often inbreed dogs to get that “purebred” look. Purebred dogs often have more health problems as well, despite how cute they may be. Oftentimes, mutts and mixes are the healthiest and happiest dogs. Consider buying from a shelter, and give them a loving home! 

Cats: Cats are also very popular pets and, like dogs, they have a wide variety of personalities. Some are very cuddly, and some are very playful! Cats are different than dogs, however, in that they don’t always want to be with you. They tend to have more of their own will, and if you aren’t prepared to respect their wishes, you probably shouldn’t get a cat. It can be said that cats are like an exercise in consent, because they’ll make it clear when they feel that you’re being overbearing. As I mentioned earlier, they have a wide variety of personalities, so if you want a cat to cuddle with, make sure to meet different cats and find the best fit. Responsibilities for cats and dogs can be very similar, but there are some key differences as well. 

• Like dogs, you need to be sure that you can afford vet appointments, food, litter, and toys. Cats don’t need to run around outside like dogs do, but they need different types of enrichment to keep them entertained. This likely means having cat toys scattered around your house. 
• Cats need to scratch! If you don’t have scratching posts and/or mats, they will almost definitely destroy carpets and furniture. It’s fairly easy to train them to start using specific scratching materials, and if they start scratching in an unwanted place it can be solved by putting an approved scratching material there. In our house, we have a post near the couch and a mat near the stairs, and now they use those instead! 
• Cat nails need to be trimmed more than dogs. Otherwise, their nails will get long, sharp, and curved, because when they use scratching posts, it takes off the outer layers of the nail, making it thinner. Depending on how fast they grow, you may have to trim them every week. If you don’t trim their nails, they can easily make you bleed by accident because of how sharp they are, and they can get caught on things. 
• Cats mostly groom themselves, but every few months, they still need baths. Most cats don’t like water, so this can be difficult. 
• Medium to long haired cats need to be brushed! Because they groom themselves, hairballs are very much a possibility. Brushing them reduces the risk of hairballs, and prevents mats in their fur. 
• Cats are sick more often than dogs, whether it’s actually sick, a hairball, or just spit up. You’ll need to be ready to clean it up. 

    
With both cats and dogs, adopting from a shelter could give a home to an animal that really needs one. And, although you may be tempted to get a cute puppy or kitten, getting an adult animal means that you already know their personality and you’re adopting a slightly less adoptable animal. The same goes for cats and dogs with disabilities. These animals will almost always make just as wonderful a companion as abled animals, but they aren’t adopted as often and go large parts of life without a loving home. 

    With all this in mind- knowing your goals, knowing the responsibilities, and being ready to give a home to a cat or dog- I’m sure you can make the right choice. ​

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Ellery

(She/Her)
Ellery writes articles because she want to make a positive difference in other people's lives.