What pet should I get?

Question

Within the next year I shall be moving out of my parents house, I am going to be really lonely, but also, I have wanted a pet since I was 8 and our cat was taken to the shelter by my dad because we moved away from our old house.
I have two hamsters, but I know a cat\dog (what I want) will be harder to care for and more expensive to. I have looked up generalised costs and am willing to budget for it. I was hoping to get a puppy\kitten and take all my paid vacation at once to accustomise it to me.
If I get a cat I really don't know what kind I want - most cats I have known I have liked for their personality not looks. I guess it will be hard to tell what a kittens personality will be in advance.
As for a dog, I was thinking a pug, pugs seem really funny and stubborn (in an amusing way). I'm not sure because I don't like their health issues,it seems cruel to create demand for something that is unhealthy intrisicly. Either way I want an animal that is small and I can cuddle up watching tv.

I tried to add details before but it didn't seem to work...

Anyway, I'll be working 20 hours a week.
I've had lots of experience with cats not with dogs, but I would maybe prefer something less aloof than a cat that I can give a lot of attention to.
I will hopefully live alone but maybe with others depending how it goes and will ajust my descisions accordingly.
I do intend to settle in first before getting my pet.
I don't really know how long I intend to stay where I go, depends how much I like it and what happens to me in my life (at the moment I feel like I never want to leave my town, but someday I may get restless and want to go traveling or something).

Answer 1

If you're moving out of your parent's house - are you moving into an apartment on your own? In with friends? Are you going to school, and is that going to interfere with a new pet? If you're working, are the hours going to interfere (for example, don't get a puppy unless you can be home a LOT for a solid month to really housebreak one)?

After that, I'd say think of some qualities you're interested in: friendliness, obviously, but do you want a pet that needs to be walked every few hours? How much of a walk, just a quick around the block or a few miles every day? Is cleaning a litter box daily okay with you? What if your pet requires a specified diet, can you put the time/money into one? Certain breeds (cats and dogs) are prone to congenital problems, research those thoroughly, even if you end up with a mix and know what to look for. Pugs have trouble related to the folds on their faces providing a nice breeding ground for microbes.

Drop by your loca humane society, get a chance to interact with the dogs/cats there. Explain your preferences to the staff. Many perfectly nice, small dogs end up homeless due to allergies, movings, new additions to the family, etc.

Answer 2

Surprisingly, many people are not necessarily prepared to own kittens or puppies. People who travel or work long hours should not consider a dog, but may be the perfect home for a cat (who does not really care what time you come back to her house). Even folks who provide good dog homes often err by selecting the wrong breed of dog. The differences between breeds go way beyond appearances.

The best thing you can do right now is buy cat and dog books, read through them, and then determine from the information which one would fit best into your lifestyle.

Answer 3

Sounds to me like you have really thought this out and have planned ahead for getting the animal used to the home without getting it and immediately leaving it. Good for you, nice to see that for a change!!

That being said, since you only work 20 hours week and want something to cuddle with, a dog really is the best way to go. Once cats get full grown, most don't like that stuff anymore. And if they do, it's only for short stints. Dogs are more loyal and loving. Like you did with pugs, just look at health issues when deciding. If you want abreed that has issues, make sure you start a pet svaings account so you have money in the event of an emergency. Smaller breeds in general have more health issues. I always wanted a dachshund but after finding out that their backs break easily and are prone to spinal diseases, I decided against it. I have 3 kids and that's not the best idea for them. I ended up going with a black Lab. Not a large dog (around 50 lbs full grown) but so loving and affectionate and wonderful with kids. I have 2 cats as well but we barely see them. lol

Answer 4

how much time will you have at home? How much space is there? What sort of personality do you want your pet to have? Will you be allowed pets where you live? I have heard that kittens get most of thier personality from thier father. Cats are best if you have less time, but they might not give the level of affection you want. I reccomend you get used to your new routines first as you will have a better idea of what you need and what you can provide. It is best to get a cat only if you know you wont be moving for 15 years or more because they have difficulties adjusting to new places. I know most people don't like them but I think rats make great pets as they are cheap, easy to satisfy, portable,can keep each other company, and males are quite placid and love cuddles.

Answer 5

honestly, its good that that your thinking of the expense, since their are so many people that don't before they just get an animal... really like you were already saying, how much time do you have? puppy need lots o time, you really should not get a dog under 6 months if your away from home for more than 5 -6 hours at a time you can't properly house train a puppy this way and you have to make sure you socialize them..don't get me wrong puppy's are great but it's alot of work and alot of extra time,,, like you said again kittens are cute but you don't know what your getting until the grow up and they grow so fast, and adult cat would be good, because you can already see their personality,and they make wonderful companions and think you could save a adult cat that most people dont want and give him a good home.... please remember what ever your choice that about 5 million aniamls where killed in the U.S. alone (2005) do to the extreme popultaion problems, so please get them fixed and try NOT to get them from a breeder,, dont shop, adopt.... and besides mutts live longer than purebreds!!!! :)

Answer 6

I've had really good luck with cats. I, too, had cats growing up and I wanted to get a cat as soon as I got an appartment that allowed them. My mom kept the one cat that I had when I moved out, and this cat developed a really unhealthy attachment to my mom so she still has him. But that's really besides the point. Cats could deal with me keeping odd hours, working long shifts, etc. You may only be working 20 hours weekly now, but that could change. Cats can be really cuddly and affectionate. All of mine are. I think it really depends on how much you cuddle with them when they are young. If you get them used to cuddling with you when they are young, I think they are more affectionate as they age.

The downside to cats is that you can't really travel with them. Dogs can pick up and go with you in your car to wherever you want to travel. This, of course, has its limitations as well. You have to be willing to stay in a hotel that allows dogs, the hotels that do allow it don't let you leave the dog alone there, and you can't go on trails in the national parks with dogs.

If you do end up going with the dog, I would not get a pure bred. As cute as Pugs are, they have some health issues (as you know). ALL pure bred dogs have some problems, so I would just go to the pound and get the cutest and sweetest small-sized mutt they have, and make him my pet if I were to get a dog.

Answer 7

Well, considering you don't want a pet with a lot of responsaility, I wouldn't suggest a dog, which you will have to walk and take out to the bathroom. Cats are nice, you just gotta get lucky to have a cat with an awsome personality. Try a half saimese. Another pet I would suggest is a house bunny. I have one and a kitty. They love each other. House bunnies are great pets. They are eaisly potty trained, quiet, don't smell and are quiet. They also like to play and cuddle. Good luck on your search!

Answer 8

you should get a cat for now. your schedule seems a little hectic and puppys require alot more attention (walking etc) than kitty's. also, since your dad brought your cat to a shelter (therefore contributing to the overwhelming explosion) i would suggest you go to a shelter to find your new friend. and as for puppies, you can find them at a shelter too. and if you get a mix you eliminate almost all the health issues.

Answer 9

how about a ferret? depending on the owner, they can great pets. theyre small, so theres less waste, and less food needed, you can keep them in a cage while your out, let the roam while your home, and theyll sleep just about anywhere. they will never beg you for food, and theyre not very good climbers, so you wont have to worry about them breaking anything valuable to you.theyre very quiet, and always go to the bathroom in corners,with no training, and a corner litter box is cheap, small and easy to clean. theyre fun to play with, or you can let them go nuts by themselves, which is pretty entertaining to watch them flip. they get along with cats and dogs, and theyre easy to keep clean. best of all, they will fall asleep right on your lap, without having to get settled first by shredding your pants, or drooling all over them. all around excelent choice for someone with a busy schedule, and appartment life. theyre the perfect companion for primetime.

Answer 10

It matters what kind of person youare. If you work than you should get a cat. Dogs need more attention than cats. I have 3 dogs so I know all about dogs.