also, how much do they cost to look after and will it be compatible with my cat?
2006-10-09 22:55:02 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
No, do not get a dog until you can spend time with it.
2006-10-09 22:59:05 · answer #1 · answered by dogwarrior2001 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My wife and I both go to work and we have a dog. We adopted her from Battersea Dogs Home two and a half years ago, and she's nearly 16 years of age with plenty of life in her yet.
At Battersea, all prospective dog owners have to go through an interview, and it's likely that there'd be a home visit before they let you take a dog home. All factors are considered and they would probably want to see how the cat and dog got on before they would make a decision.
Battersea would not let us have a dog under 7 years of age, as they would need exercise and stimulation in the day when we are both out at work. However, as our dog is old, she has her breakfast in the morning, then a walk, then she sleeps for the majority of the day until we get home. Even at weekends when we are home with her, she's asleep the majority of the time - we still have our mad hour around 5pm, but that's it for the day.
We have also installed a dog flap so she also has the run of the garden (for curiosity & toilet!) when we are not around.
Our dog is happy, content, very much loved and very much spoilt - how different the story would have been if we did not adopt her and she remained in a home.
With all that said, I can see there no trouble in you having a dog that is suitable to you - obviously puppies are a big no no!
With regards to cost, ours is a medium size dog (retriever/collie cross) and I would imagine costs us about £5 per week for food as we buy in bulk which is alot cheaper.
2006-10-10 10:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by mpr7274 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work all day too and have a dog. It is a small breed, Maltese. I get up early every morning and walk him for half and hour and a again as soon as I get home. He has 2 cats for company though and I am considering getting him a female companion. One cat was a kitten when I got my puppy so they are like brothers, the other cat was a few yrs old and was bummed a first but now she follows us on walks and they all get along. I know many people will disagree but I wasnt going to get rid of the dog cuz the kids went to college! I have a cage but we only use it for travel.. He costs me about $45.00 a month to advantage all 3, $30.00 a month for grooming, but he is a high maintenace breed, $150.00 per year for vet checkup and shots and of course food which is maybe $30.00 per month. Go with a small breed and spend quality exercise time with your dog. I also got my dog at 6 months, he was rescued from a home where he was caged 20 hrs a day so he came pretrained and very greatful for his new freedom
And to whoever gave me a thumbs down 2 bad you cant be open minded. If you are willing to get up early and walk your dog and take the time to walk and play with your puppy when you come home from work NO MATTER how tired you are, just as you would care for your children if you worked all day, it could work. Would you rather see an animal destroyed in a shelter than get what you would consider a less than perfect home? Do you think I should give my dog away because I have to work? That is not happening! It all depends on the commitment of the owner and the type of dog selected.
And to those that say dogs are pack animals and cats are not, how much experience do you have with different animals? My dog and 2 cats play together, sleep together and run together. They play fight and the 15 lb tabby always lets the 5 lb maltase win. They groom each other. They even eat together but must be supervised because of the difference in food-cat food is bad for dogs and visa versa. This cant be a fluke because I have a neighbor with a beagle and two cats and they follow her on her doggie walks.
Its easy to say no. Is it a perfect scenario? Of course not. Is life perfect? Never. But the joy of dog ownership for a working person is doable for a commited individual, absolutely.
2006-10-10 06:18:23 · answer #3 · answered by Dee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cats are territory animals. They get stressed if you move house and often try to go back to the place they consider home.
But dogs are pack animals, and another word for pack is 'family'. Being alone all day would stress a dog, and it makes them behave in ways that owners consider 'bad'. It makes them chew and mess.
It also can make them howl from loneliness; or bark endlessly when the postman calls, because you're not there to tell them thats enough barking.
I don;t know why anyone gave your question a thumbs down, its a sensible question. At least you thought to check instead of just going out and getting a pup, then finding out it wasn't a good idea.
2006-10-10 07:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been having similar thoughts but have come to the conclusion that dogs require full attention, not just evenings and weekends. As you know, cats sleep most of the time, thriving on feeling independent and being free to wander off. But dogs go mad left on their own because they're pack animals and want company. The'yre not really more expensive than cats, depending on the breed but i'd wait till you can be home all the time or get someone to share the load.
2006-10-10 06:08:25 · answer #5 · answered by peeve 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would be fair to get a dog if you are out of the house all day. Unlike a cat, they can't let themselves out through a cat flap so would have nowhere to go to the toilet - apart from on your carpet. They also need a lot more attention than a cat or they could end up with behavioural problems.
If you did get one I'd advise hiring a dog walker so it has company in the day - but then it becomes extremely expensive.
2006-10-10 05:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Oakesy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your at work all day then its not a good idea to get a dog to leave on its own, they get bored stupid and then start to chew and wreak things, lots of cats hate dogs and vice versa and leaving them alone together during the day wouldn't be a good idea really, if you really do want a dog then see if your local kennels do day boarding, its not that expensive and your dog with get a walk or two during the day that way.
2006-10-10 08:58:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fact you live alone a dog is a fine companion but unless you can make provisions for his care while your at work is hardly fair is it. Yes after a while your cat and dog will be great pals and cost well i would say £3/£5 weekly depending on size and breed but again it all depends what and how you wish to feed your pal, but yes go ahead and get one you wont have any regrets
2006-10-10 07:07:58 · answer #8 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother-in-law had a dog. She lived in a small upstairs flat, with no garden. She worked 9 hours a day. The poor dog was on her own all the time. It was cruel. She **** and pissed all over the place. She chewed and scratched everything. In the end she had to give her away which was heartbreaking for her. So i suggest you use your loaf and don't get a dog. Cats can take care of their-selves but dogs need company.
2006-10-10 06:45:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs aren't really like cats - they need more one to one attention and to be taken out for walks and stuff.
Living alone and being out all day - perhaps not the best environment for a dog, perhaps you should stick to cats until there are more people in your family.
2006-10-10 06:02:00 · answer #10 · answered by london.oval 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Stick with a cat. I think it is unfair to the puppy/dog to leave it alone all day.. I don't sell my pups to people who work full-time and do not have a back up plan..
I have sold to several who have someone come in (sitter) or take to doggy daycare.. Some are able to bring their dogs to work with them, other's are able to go home for lunch and breaks...
A puppy cannot be trained if nobody is there to train it.....
2006-10-10 06:36:02 · answer #11 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋