What inspires one to get a cat or dog? Cats and dogs tend to be the most popular pets on the planet, but why would someone choose one over another?
I typically take my dog on five, one-mile walks per day, with the first one at five in the morning. The last few months, I was often bundled up in not one, not two, but THREE coats, But, anything to get the little guy to poop, right?
On many of these arctic Winter walks, I contemplated how owning a cat would mean a very different experience. Definitely less time exposed to frostbite and more time reveling in the warmth of my home.
Temperament
Dog owners tend to appreciate the enthusiastic loyalty displayed by their canine companions and seem to be of the camp that cats are merely treating their owners as slaves.
Cat owners, however, will emphasize how much their furry feline friends love to snuggle and cuddle. They often find the roughhousing temperament typically associated with dogs a bit annoying.
Both animals will display love and affection if we simply give them our time and attention. I agree, dogs are often more energetic than cats. That’s not to say cats don’t love to interact and play with their humans. They do.
On the flip side, not many folks take their cats on walks several times throughout the day.
Grooming
These are markedly different between cats and dogs. Short-haired dogs require a good brush every few days. Longer-haired breeds need daily brushing.
Since dogs are outside more often, they tend to get dirtier and definitely need some scrub-a-dub-dub in the tub!
Cats? They are masters at self-grooming. They can pretty much just lick themselves clean. However, long-haired cats do require regular brushing to avoid matting.
Your Living Arrangements
The needs here are different for dogs and cats. Cats can adapt to smaller environments. Dogs, especially the bigger ones, need a larger area in which to burn off all that energy.
Cats will happily opt for a nice cat bed or whatever cozy nook they can find to slumber in. Dogs enjoy a personal doggie bed, too, but some are content to just nap on the floor…particularly if it is near a warm vent in the Winter.
Are You Ready to Get Fit?
If you have a dog, especially a highly active one, be prepared to dive into some physical activity. As I mentioned previously, I walk my dog about five miles a day, which is in addition to the exercise I already do for myself personally! I appreciate the fact this keeps me healthy.
Cats tend to be lower maintenance in this category. There are some high energy breeds, such as the Bengal, that require a high degree of exercise.
Often, given a few toys, a cat will get some exercise on their own. Otherwise, they are probably sleeping.
How Patient Are You?
Both cats and dogs require some degree of training, but there are differences in the level of that training. Cats tend to be fairly laid back and really don’t have a lot of behaviors that need to be “fixed.” Even with potty training, cats tend to easily figure out how to use the litter box.
Dogs take a bit more work when it comes to “taking care of business.” Dogs are also capable of learning many things and do respond quite well to vocal commands.
There is no denying both cats and dogs are fun to have as companions. The items above are generalizations, and I know there are many exceptions. The choice of cat or dog often comes down to your lifestyle and what you prefer. Either way, you are guaranteed an awesome best buddy for many years to come!
Source: backyardchickencoops.com.au and Kassandra Smith
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
