Meow vs. Woof
If you want to get a conversation going, then just ask the question, “Which is a better pet, a cat or a dog?” People definitely have an opinion as to their preference. It could be the care involved in taking care of the animal, the exercise required, the time that you need to be around the animal or the even how social that the animal is to other people. Before you start this discussion, you should arm yourself with some of the basic facts to support your preference. Here are some starters to help you:
- Cats don’t maul your guest the minute they enter the room. Dogs like to jump on your guest, lick their faces and leave them covered in dog hair. Cats on the other hand tend to leave your guests alone. They size them up while not leaving their hiding spaces (under the couch, windowsill or even from the back of a chair). Cats will visit your guests when they feel comfortable. They will visit your guest, not the other way around.
- Cats are very concerned about their appearance. Cats spend about 1/3 of their time grooming. This doesn’t mean that they are constantly looking in the mirror; it’s a sign of keeping themselves healthy, their well-being and hygiene. Dogs, on the other hand, love to roll around in just about anything. That smell comes into the house by way of the dog. They seem to always have an odour that you can’t seem to rid your home from no matter what method you use.
- Dogs need to be walked. Day or night, bad weather or hot days, a dog need a walk to relieve themselves. You might begin to feel like the mailman; neither snow nor sleet nor dead of night, you will be out walking the dog. When you own a cat, there are no late night walks; the cat does his business in privacy. The only task that a cat will ask is that you clean the litter box on a regular basis.
- Dogs, no matter how small, need exercise. They need to run and play. If they don’t get enough attention, dogs like to chew on your shoes, pillows, books or anything else in its path. You can try to play with a cat, but it doesn’t last very long because the cat will become bored and just watch you. Most dogs will hound you until they get the attention that they want. Cats will let you pat them and then walk away. If a cat wants more attention, they will come to you to snuggle or just watch you.
- Either pet needs attention if you plan a vacation. A cat owner can leave a cat at home with enough food and water for a night or two, plus some entertainment like a cat tree or toy. A dog owner will need to hire someone to feed, walk, and play with the dog. Of course, if you plan a long stay, you will need to send your cat to a pet-care facility. So, while you are enjoying the trip, your animal will be safe and have its needs fulfilled at one of the cat boarding London. Another thing to remember is cleaning out the cat litter box and purchasing one that you cat will like and has odor control.
It does not matter what animal you prefer, owning an animal is a responsibility. They do give back, however. They provide a sense of companionship, a source of comfort and a feeling that someone understands you. There is no right or wrong answer to this age old question. The answer lies within you as to how much time and effort you are willing to invest in the animal.