Dog or Cat?

Question

Cat or Dog?
Question Details: Is a cat or dog a better pet for our family? I am a stay at home mom and will be for at least another year after that I may go back to work. My daughter is 18 m/o and will be taught to be kind and respect the animal (just has she has been with my moms dogs and cats) and will never be left alone with the animal. We have a medium size back yard and lots of love to give. I realize that any animal is a huge commitment and I am taking it seriously. Which would be a better suit for my lifestyle. Any breeds be more compatiable? Personal experiences with toddlers and cats/dogs would be great. What about puppy/dog or kitten/cat? I am just worried about going back to work and leaving a dog home alone during the day I know most dogs are left alone. I would put the dog in our kitchen and puppygate it. Help!

Answer 1

HUGE KUDOS to you for realizing how important of a commitment it is to bring a new furry friend into your family!!

Given that you may go back to work next year, and that your daughter is young, I suggest a kitten right now. Cats are a good start for a family pet, and can be content when you are gone- some dogs have separation anxiety that is totally irreversable. A kitten that is raised with your daughter will adjust better than an adult cat who has never been around children.

Dogs have more energy and strength than cats, and could easily harm your little girl without meaning to (jumping and knocking her over, scratching with their paw, or hitting her with her tail are a few examples). When your daughter is older and is able to better understand how dogs behave and how to behave around them in return, it would be great to add a dog to your family. For now though, I definitely would go with a kitten :o)

Oh, and when you make that step, please think adoption first!!! www.petfinder.com or visit your local humane society/aspca/animal shelter :o)

Answer 2

A cat would probably suit the being away from home part...but I prefer dogs personally. There are a lot more things in general that you can do with the dogs...walks in the park, training classes and things that are great to do with families. I would think an older dog may be a good choice for you if you don't want to go through raising another baby right now. It depends on what kind of dogs you like. All breeds have their ups and downs, and personalities differ within litters. I personally find mixed breeds are great health wise and come in all sizes and colors. Of course there are people who swear by the trusty goldens and labs, but be aware that over breeding has cause quite a few with very hyper puppyhoods and congenital problems. As long as you can commit to exercising and walking your dog (not just turning out in the yard) I think a dog is a great learning and bonding experience for the family.

Answer 3

Hi, I have both a cat and a dog.
A cat is obviously easier, because they are independent, don't need to be exercised and aren't as destructive at play!
so, that is a good option if you don't choose a dog.

If you get an inkling of what breed dog is compatible to your lifestyle, RESEARCH it a lot FIRST before you get it. You don't want to have to give your dog away if it turns out to be a breed that doesn't suit your needs.
you want a dog that is not aggressive, can be easily trained, is a family dog, and doesn't need TOO much excercise.
If you get it from a puppy, you won't have any problems with your child, but if you get an older dog, it may not like small children.

Personally I have a pure bred english bull terrier and I don't like to leave her at home for more than about 5 hours. She is kept inside because we dont want her stolen. This breed is very STUBBORN. is loads of fun, but is not easily trained. they also play up if they don't get enough walks etc.
I would recommend another breed for your family (even though she is adorable)

good luck

Answer 4

Dog definitely. We just got a puppy earlier this spring (she will be a 1 year old on 12/25/06) and she is great and well mannered. Highly intelligent. I have been teaching her sign language and a little Japanese for commands. I use the sign language because some of the commands orally can be confusing.

The breed is a medium size. The weight ranges between 20-25 lbs. to my recollection.

Crate the puppy... this is not a cruel act. It is like a den for the pup when you leave. Just condition when you are home a little at a time and always leave it accessible to your pet.

Look at: www.akc.com

Answer 5

kitten or puppies are not always good with small children and can be raised w/ them and later not get along with them! it's best to get an older animal(3 & up dogs-1 & up cats)! that way you know the personality since the tend to stay the way they are at these ages!! some tend to scratce if hurt by some one, but some don't! i would say really do your home work on this one! look at a few w/ the small child to see how the animal reacts! both cats & dogs! a shelter can also help you with which pets they think will be capatible with your family!! this way you get a life long conpanion!! hope this helps!! :)

Answer 6

Oh I would have to sya dog. They are so much more fun than cats!(no offense) But they really are. Your daughter would love to cuddle with a dog. Cats don't really like to be hugged. and they are very intelgent. Go to AKC.gov for more info on a breed. Might I suggest a golden retreiver? They love children, and treat them like their own puppy. They can sense danger and always look out for you. Also a beagle is a great dog as well. They love attention, and can addapt to just about any type of living. The only downside is that they are clever. They follow any smell they can get their nose into. They are also known to yelp. But they can be taught to not. Just think, a late a winter night, a roaring fire with a new puppy warming its fur..... The perfect scene. I would advise that a dog is not a good X-mas present. That time of year is too hectic.

Answer 7

Definitely a dog! I've had both and I'm 12, and cats are boring and lazy but dogs are playful and fun! There are a few different sizes Large, Medium, Small, Toy, Teacup. I would suggest these breeds that are good with allergies and don't shed Poodles, Maltese, Cockapoo, Bishon Frise, and a Shi-Zhu.

Answer 8

no longer authentic, my 2 cats used to stay with my roommates 2 canines. One dogs disregarded the cats. the different dogs performed with them and the cats performed lower back. certainly one of my cats could curl up good next to the dogs while they took a nap.

Answer 9

I think a cat 'cause after a year or so, the cat will be ok by itself and young pups may need alot of attention but dogs are more friendly. You should consult a vet. BTW, cats are easy to take care of.

Answer 10

Here is a helpful web page for picking a dog compatible for your situation - cats are pretty content in most situations :)

http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html