We want a family pet what should I get??

Question

We want a pet to keep inside.But what would be best for a stay at home mom whose husband works long hours and a active six year old?? Dog or Cat? and opinions on breeds?

Answer 1

The question is what is your favorite pet? While a dog is less aloft it is also more demanding in attention. You 6 year old might help in that aspect to keep it busy but during school time you will be the one responsible for it. A cat is definitely less demanding of attention and can pretty much get along and is less work also. Remember a dog demands attention and you need to walk it regularly and take it out for poop and pee as for a cat clean the litter once a day feed it give it love and attention when it ask for it and that is about it. A cat can be very affectionate also and needy in attention but often not as much as a dog. I think it's a personal choice here of what you and your family would like to share your life with and also how much more work do you want to add to your work load?

Answer 2

If you are in an apartment, then by all means a cat. Cats can tolerate being inside all of the time better than most dogs. However, if you have a backyard which you can fence so there is some playroom for dog and child, then a dog, but not the tiny yippy high strung kind, the even tempered collie, labrador, weimeraner, german shepherd kind. Stay away from something like a border collie. They look good, are even tempered, but need LOTS of running space and something to do. Border collies are "working dogs" and need a lot of space and activity or they will go stir crazy. Any "working dog" breed will not be good if you don't have the space and time to make them work as they are inclined to do. My suggestion, visit your local animal shelter and look for a fat cat, a tabby, a who-knows-what breed who looks like it might have a nice disposition and a short hair, since long hair tends to mat and tangle. The people at the shelter get to know the personalities of the animals, so ask their advice and heed their guidance in making your choice, for either a dog or a cat.

Personally, I like the mixed weimeraners. My mom had a female half breed who was a half size but otherwise looked exactly like the bigger pure breed. What struck me was her soft chocolate brown color and blue eyes, and oh, so even tempered. Her name was Cocoa, of course, because she was exactly that color. She latched on to me when I came home to visit (I was in the Navy and came home for a few days or a week several times a year.) and not leave my side for the whole time I was at home and she looked into my eyes with what I can only call pure love and devotion. My mom got this dog at the animal shelter and relied on the people there to find a dog which had an even disposition, and they found my mom a pure gem. Skip the pure breeders and kennels who sell designer dogs, go for the adopt a pet program at your local animal shelter for pennies on the dollar.

Answer 3

well both cats and dogs can be playful
cats tend 2 use there claws a lot when playing especially kittens
but cats are easy 2 keep in the house as a house cat n cleans up after it toilet
while as dogs u would have 2 go for walks.play with it and everything
because u have a 6year old a think it might be better 2 get a cat they dont really use up much time

Answer 4

Depends what you are looking for. The best family pet we have ever had in my family (and we have had a LOT... we almost have a petshop of our own...) has been the gentil giants.
Most big dogs are very gentil. Bernes Mountain Dogs are very beautifull and also very well manered. They will let themselves be thrown on their backs no problem and would not harm a fly. They are loving and, although big, do not take up all that much space. Of all the dogs we've had, the bernese Mountain Dog is definitely top of the list as best family dog.

Answer 5

Although, I am a big fan of dogs as family pets, they need lots of attention, and it just isn't fair to keep them trapped inside all day. They need walks and the stimulation they get from the sights and smells of outside. I won't claim to know much about cats, but they tend to be better at entertaining themselves indoors and don't require obedience classes. Just remember that any pet needs love and attention so make sure you really have the time. As for breeds, ADOPT, mixed breeds are the best companions! Best of luck.

Answer 6

Absolutely hands down a Labrador Retriever....
We have had 4 in the past 15 years. Mostly outdoor, but they love to come in. We have six children, ours have always been so good, and gentle to our kids.
Cats seem to want attention on their own time. But a dog is always ready, willing and able.
The last two labs (pure bred) that we got were over a year old. They were in both listed in our local paper for free. You just can't go wrong with them.

Good Luck...

Answer 7

If you've got a good back yard definitly an Irish Setter. They are extremely good with kids and people but need their room to run. I have a 5 yr old irish setter and we had our 1 yr old nephew over and the dog was sleeping and our nephew pulled a clump of hair out of the dog's ear and the dog never moved. Same day we had our nephew on our bed and the dog got up there and layed down and our nephew went over to him and started pulling on his ear and poking his eye and the dog just layed there and took it. Very gentle.

Answer 8

Cats are typically lower maintenance because they don't need to be walked. I think short-haired cats are good because the hair does not mat and they don't need much special grooming.

If you prefer dogs, try www.dogbreedinfo.com. You can see pics and fill out some areas which will help determine which breeds might be good for you.

Answer 9

Go to your nearest shelter a cruise the smogasboard of animals needing a home. I'm sure whether you decide on a cat or dog, doesn't matter just that your animal and you are the right fit.

Answer 10

If you're home all day, I'd get a dog...rescue one from the pound. Don't get a dog with a herding breed in it, they need a job to do. Retrievers make good dogs and there are a ton of them needing homes.