Everyone loves dogs. They're energetic and always excited for no reason. They can turn your day around just by seeing their tail wagging as you walk in the door. Dogs make really great pets for experienced pet owners who have the time and income to care for them. Dogs can be pretty costly over the course of their lifetime between the food, bathroom bags (you know, for cleaning up after them every time), and vet bills.
Unfortunately, the larger the dog, the larger the expenses simply because the need more for their size.
If you've grown up with pets, its normal to continue wanting to have them. However, no one should adopt a pet before seriously considering the amount of time they will have to spend with the pet. If you don't enjoy going outside, a dog probably isn't for you since a dog needs to go out to stretch their legs and use the bathroom pretty often. The smaller the dog, the smaller the bladder, meaning more trips outside. If you're keen on having a pet, consider adopting a cat.
Adopting a cat is incredibly rewarding because cats have attitudes and choose who they like. After a few weeks, your cat should warm up to you. Dogs usually love everyone from the get-go, but cats are selective. It's nice to know your roommate can't easily steal your pet sometimes. Adopting a kitten is strenuous and time consuming, so unless you have time to bottle feed and deal with teething, look into adopting adult cats.
Cats do require attention, but not nearly as much as dogs. If you're not home all day, a cat would be a better option because they don't get as lonely as dogs. Catnip, food, water and a litter box will keep a cat happy and content while you're gone for the day at school or work. Cats also don't get separation anxiety like dogs, so it's easier and cheaper to go on vacations and get away for a little way.
This doesn't mean you can leave for a week and not have anyone check on your cat. If you decide to leave for the weekend, your cat could be okay for a few days, but it would be a good idea to have someone stop by halfway through the weekend to make sure everything is still okay.
The litter box is a savior because you only have to clean it as often as your cat uses it. Once a day is recommended, but cleaning it more may be required if your cat goes a little more often. If you're cat is a clean freak, you may find they even clean up the excess litter that falls out with their paw. You'll rarely need to clean your cat because they hate to be dirty themselves.
Just like dogs, shedding is inevitable. Cats do hate to be brushed, but at least you don't need to wash, dry, and brush them only to find you need to repeat the process in a few weeks. Lint rollers are your best friend year round, so if you see a sale, you better stock up.
Not everyone will be swayed that a cat makes a better pet than a dog. If it's your first time owning a pet completely on your own, I encourage you to seriously consider a cat for your happiness and your pet's happiness. Both cats and dogs live for a pretty long time. Make sure that you think about your future and where you'll be going before bringing someone new into the family.
If you're considering adopting a pet, always adopt and do not shop. Supporting breeders continues to support the neglect and abuse of animals. Don't just jump into adoption before going over all the details. Here are two checklists to go over to help you decide if your ready to become a furry friend parent for a cat or dog.
