should we get a cat dog or rabbit first as our new pet and why?

Answer 1

What you should get depends on a lot of factors. How often will you be home? Does a lot of fur (shedding) bother you? Do you want to clean a litter box, a cage tray, or piles of feces with a plastic baggy? Do you have enough money to cover regular vaccinations and maintanence care? What do you want out of a pet?

Dogs are very loyal companions but require training. Training requires TIME and MONEY. Dogs also require regular vaccinations and medical maintanence (licensing and so on)---this can add up. Dogs require constant supervision, daily excercise consisting of a long walk or plenty of play time in the backyard. Dogs need continuous social interaction---they are VERY dependent---but they can and will go with you anywhere you want, and will be happy to do so. Dogs are the equivalent to having a toddler for 15+ years. Dogs dig, bark, bite, scratch, whine, get in the trash, pull on the leash, jump on people, steal food, shed, and so on. Are you ready for that kind of commitment and responsibility (financially and emotionally)?

Cats are independent but affectionate. They too need regular vaccinations and medical maintanence, which can be expensive. They can be kept entirely indoors (which is recommended--don't listen to people who tell you to let your cat outside---it can be ran over, killed by dogs, ect.). Cats are very content when kept indoors---they don't need a lot of space and are excercise is easy with just a few toys and your participation. Downside? Cats can claw, bite, meow, shed profusely, be unaffectionate, jump on things they're not supposed to, and be over affectionate to the point where they are a nuisance. Most don't travel well either---so you can't take them anywhere. They require a litterbox (which, if you live in an apartment, stink up the ENTIRE place) that requires daily scoopings and thorough cleanings at LEAST once a week. Are you ready for all of that?

Rabbits..well, rabbits certainly aren't for everyone. Rabbits don't need regular vaccinations...just a yearly check-up. Unfortunately, rabbits are also considered 'exotics' so any medical treatment you may need will probably be far more expensive than it would be for a cat or dog (neutering and spaying, especially). Rabbits can be kept indoors just like any dog or cat. Instead of having free-roam of the house, they get a cage (one of sufficient size, of course). This means you can put them away when you don't want to supervise anymore. You can litterbox train a rabbit, as well as harness train them (to take them on walks). They can be very affectionate and will gladly sit on your lap while you watch TV. They can play with toys as well, and be taught to respond to their name. The downside? Rabbits can be very unaffectionate too. Most dislike being picked up. A rabbit needs a large cage and daily 'out-of-the-cage' time for excercise. Rabbits shed, and can be messy UNLESS you house them in a cage with a wire bottom floor---in which case cleaning is much easier. A rabbits' cage smells about as bad as a cats' litterbox---with regular cleaning it should smell less, given that cat urine is far more potent than a rabbits'---male rabbits especially can smell if they're unneutered though---but that applies to ANY unaltered animal... unaltered animals just smell more. The cost of owning a rabbit, otherwise, is far less than that of a dog or cat, and they offer about the same companionship as a cat.

So keep all that in mind when making your decision. Perhaps you should consider a rat? A well-bred rat (from a reputable breeder) is very affectionate, clean, trainable (litterbox trained too), and entertaining. They're very cheap to obtain and care for compared to the other 3 types of animals you've mentioned. Just a suggestion to look into.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Rabbits are nice, but they DO stink, and they are a lot of hard work. Cats are also very nice, and are easy to take care of. The only bad thing about getting a cat is that they are very independent and thus don't usually spend as much time with you just being a pet. Where as dogs are usually more friendly in that they will usually want to spend every minute with you and will totally love you. And dogs aren't all that hard to take care of ether. Don't get me wrong, they all have there down sides as well as ups, but whatever you do, if you are planing on getting other animals in the near future, don't get a cat first. They are extremely Territorial, and bringing a dog (or other pet) into the house when there is already a cat would not be wise. (Trust me, I've had more than one experience.) Well have TONS of fun with your new pet!!!

Answer 3

Depends on the enviorment you can put them in. Allergies and stuff too. You need to have enough room for the dog like, a big backyard and enough room inside. A cat, more of an indoor pet, so it'll probally shed alot, rabbits, you keep in a cage. Overall, a rabbit would probally be the best, but if you have the requirements for a cat or dog, you should go for them.

Answer 4

It depends on where you live and what the rules are. If there are none you have to figure out what would be best for you. What pet would be easier for you to take care of?

A rabbit stays in a cage, but can be let out....then you have to clean the cage all the time

A cat can stay in or out, in they must have a littler box unless trained otherwise. Then you have to deal with letting the cat in/out or cleaning the little box

A dog has to be let out and taken for walks. A small dog can be trained to go in a littler box or something like that. Or just get a doggie door and if you have enough space no need for walks. But you will have to pick up the doggie doo.

What works best for you?

Answer 5

Rabbit because if you get a cat first, the cat will see the rabbit as a food source. You see, if a kitten sees a rabbit and lives with a rabbit, he won't think as the rabbit as a food source and will respect the rabbit because the rabbit is older that the kitten. If you get a cat first, the cat knows that your home is his domain and the rabbit is the intruder. Cat's are predators. This is how they think unlike rabbits. The rabbit won't attack your kitten because she knows that the kitten is small and harmless so she will ignore him and she won't realize that the kitten is growing bigger and more powerful than her and the kitten won't realize that he's bigger than the rabbit and will still have that respect for the rabbit. It's like buy a Labrador Retriever before a German Shepherd or buy a goat before a tiger. It's all the same. Remember, cats and dogs are predators. So, rabbit, than cat, than dog and get them when their babies. (the predators)

Answer 6

actually, I would recommand hamster, but within the 3 pets you name, I think the rabbit would be better

1) its not as expensive as a cat or dog
2) its lifespan is not as long

since this is the first time you are owning a pet, better to get a pet you like but doesnt have a long life to test are you able to handle a pet. Having a pet is not as easy as many thinks, so an investment like a dog and cat should be kept for later when you are more ready and sure you are able to commit.

Answer 7

It depends. Is this your very first pet? Whats your schedule like - are you away from the house more than a few hours everyday?

If the answers are yes to all of the above, I'd say go with the cat first. They're relatively low maintenance. As long as you provide a clean litter box, food, and water, they can be left to their own devices while you are at work / school / whatever. They need very little training, and even then its nothing a stern voice and a spray bottle of water won't fix. Also, most cats require very little attention, but will give lots of love when its given to them.

Unlike dogs, who will require most of your time and attention for at least its first 6 months. It will need to be housebroken, taught not to chew things, walked, and trained besides the basic needs of food and water. Training takes time, patience, understanding, and consistency and it depends on the breed / personality as to how fast they'll catch on. But, dogs can be rewarding and bests friends for life.

As for rabbits... I had a couple once, and no matter how clean I kept that cage, they always smelled. They leave little presents on the floor when you let them out, they are not trainable. Some bite, and they aren't loving like their domesticated brethren farther up the food chain. One had babies, and killed them all herself. It was horrible. Not recommended.

In the end, the decision is yours to make, just weight the pros and cons before you make it, and make sure you're expecting and ready for the responsiblities they hold.

Answer 8

Get a Minerature Dachshund they are the best. I have had mine for two months and it is personally my first pet. It is very friendly and it does well around children. They don't eat too much because their stomach is small (Saves you money). They are very smart and they are very loyal. You won't be disappointed. Don't get a cat because they think they are the King of the world and could care less about their owner. The litter boxes also stink to high heaven. Don't get a rabbit because their cages smell and they really aren't all that fun to have. Trust me... my family has owned all of these animals. The minerature dachshund is the best.

Answer 9

Do not get a rabbit, they are so messy. They poop constantly. Try to let them out of the cage, don't do it. I had two rabbits, and I will never have another. Dogs, they are alright, I guess, have a dog too, but, the ultimate pet is a cat. They give so much emotion, if they like you, if not, well I guess you're screwed. I love animals, and have all kinds, but cats are my favorite.
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Answer 10

It depends on your life style. All animals need to be clean up after wards everyday. Litter boxes need to be changed daily.

Many people love cats because they claim that they are indepenant. You still have to train the cat not to scratch where you don't want it to, clean its litter box everyday, and remove shedding hair from your coach.

People who own dogs say they are loyal. Depending on the size and type of dog you have to get it groomed, walk it, train it or take it to obediance school, maybe more vet visits if they need to have its baby teeth pulled, vaccinations, and no matter what type of dog you have you have to pick up it doo doo. A dog can cost alot .

Rabbits are very intellegent creatures. I have one and she is very sweet. I have to clean up after her everyday, she needs to be cuddled, have regular exercise, and groomed. A rabbit will naturally use a litter box. You can teach them tricks and they will respond to you. Every rabbit has there own personality and free will. The cost of feeding my rabbit is $10.00 a month. It depends on the size of the rabbit. A 5 pound rabbit will eat 1/2 of food a day and 4 handfuls of hay. Starter cages are not that expense. I suggest that you keep your rabbit in a cage because like chew( any animal will when your not around).

My rabbit doesn't live in shavings. She has a towel on the floor of her cage that she loves to move around and has a litter box containing yesturdays news(yesturday news last me about 2 months). I do sweep up food and hay off they bottom of her floor cage and clean her litter box everyday.

One thing you might have to do is spay or neuter your rabbit, it all depends on it temperment. I had to do that to mine because she was aggressive. Her behavior changed when she was spayed. That cost me $200.00 Cdn to do.

You can go to an animal shelter and get a spayed/neutered rabbit or depending where you live you can go to the house rabbit society and abopt. I would do this instead of going to the pet store. They will know more about the rabbits personality.

I think rabbits make wonderful pets. They don't cost alot to feed and they can live up to 7 to 12 years.

I've listed some links below to help you out.