I asked this in the dog section, but I want to get cat people opinions too.?

Question

I need a pet to love. The problem is I can’t decide between a dog and cat and getting both is not an option. I had a bad experience that last 5 long years with a cocker spaniel. I love dogs, but I’m afraid of dogs now. He was the worst dog I ever owned. He barked ALL the time at EVERYTHING. After 4 years of pottying on command he decided he had enough of going outside to use the bathroom. At this time I learned I had diabetes and serious high blood pressure. When I came home from work I had to clean poop smashed into the bottom of his crate. Thinking this was a health issue I took him to the vet only yo find out he was in perfect health. Training classes didn’t work. I had a pit-bull who was potty trained to a litter box and she was an angel and this little dog was a demon from hell. I’m afraid of having an experience like this again. I want a dog but I can’t go through that again. I want a pet that is happy on my lap. I would enjoy it going everywhere with me, but I don’t think cats are like that. What toy dog breeds do you guys suggest or would a cat just be a better option.

I've had outside cats before, not indoor. I'm very exprienced with dogs also and I never had a problem with dogs before this one, but it seems like 5 years of hell blotted out all my good dog expriences. I loved dogs before him. I had large dogs bull mastiffs and dobies and he was my first little dog, only weighting 18lbs.

Answer 1

May i suggest to get a kitten.. about 6 months or so. the kitten is young enough to learn from its mistakes. and cats are also very loveable. :]

Answer 2

Animals are like people they all have different personalities and needs. Sorry you got a dog that didn't work out. Wish you would have told us what you did with it.

Why not get both a dog and a cat? Yes, they can co-exist and keep each other company while you are at work. I currently have a 9 month old Shih Tzu puppy. She was much more difficult to potty train than my last dog which was an Old English Sheepdog. In fact we still have to watch the puppy like a hawk as she hasn't quite learned how to tell her people that she needs to go outside.

Besides the puppy I also have two cats and two rabbits. All animals get along well although currently the puppy isn't allowed to "play" with the rabbits because she wants to chase them which they don't like.

I hope you can find happiness and love with another pet (or two).

Answer 3

I have both a dog and a cat. The dog tends to spend more time with my husband and the cat with me. I was never really a dog person before I got married but I do love the dog now. It is a rott/shepard mix so it is not small. The cat just loves to be in my arms. I think it depends on the cat as far as if it will be happy on your lap I have found that regular cats (not pure bred ones) tend to be the most friendly. The cat I have now is a barn cat that we took it and he is the most cuddly pet I have every had I have fallen head over heels for this guy. I think you should try the cat, get one that is 8 weeks to four months old. Take care and good luck Post what you decide. Happy Holidays!

Answer 4

Perhaps you need a dog break? You sound a bit burned out. I have both dogs and cats and I think either would make a great loving companion. My cats are very affectionate and hang out with me all the time, great emotional support. Although you could end up with a naughty cat, there are no guarantees. I would visit a local cat rescue, they could show you some cats with compatible personalities and will usually offer a trial period. Cats who are well socialized and trained as kittens can be taught to walk on a leash. Although adopting an adult cat who already has good manners may be a safer bet.
Good luck

Answer 5

DON'T GET A PUREBRED...anything. Purebred dogs are going to be more temperamental and neurotic. A nice Heinz-57 mixed breed (preferably adopted at a shelter) will be more adaptable. Also consider whether there's a lot of chaos in your house. A pet will pick up the "vibrations" of the people who live there, so if your dog is always barking and acting nervous, there might be too much stimulation.

If you get a cat, an older one might be more settled and less hyper. But all cats are different. Some love to be on your lap; others just want you to feed them and leave them alone. They are independent and not messy (usually) but don't usually like to travel. If you have a friend with a cat or dog and there's any chance of babies, you might consider adopting one of the young, if you like the temperament of the parent.

Answer 6

I can tell you that I love both cats and dogs, I have a female Pekingese-Poodle mix dog and she is small and loving and clean and VERY jealous. She wants a bite of everything, but that's cause she was given people food at a young age. very mild temperament, always wants to lay in my lap. I also have a male cat. The vet calls him a long hair domestic tabby. He's got some Maine coon as well as Persian and Russian blue. After he was neutered he became very loving and affectionate, and heavy. If you get a cat, do not declaw it, as that is the equivalent of having your finger chopped off at the knuckle just behind your fingernail. Instead, if his/her nails are problematic, plastic caps are available. I know several people that have tag-along cats, and quite a few truckers that have a cat for a passenger. The trick is to catch them as young kittens, and take them everywhere. One cat I used to have would go for walks on a leash.
Bear in mind that your gender and the animals have an effect on the relationship.
Lastly, I suggest that you look at the website listed, it has an alternative to live pets. I have seen and touched and held several different breeds, cats and dogs; they breathe, purr, lay quietly, and are very soft.

Answer 7

Dogs are not for everyone and it sounds like they are not for you. Cats are cool for a number of reasons, 1 they are low maintnance 2 they are not as destructive as dogs 3 they take up less space 4 if you give them love they will give you love 5 you don't have to groom them usually 6 they eat less. The down side to cats is that they can do damge with thier claws but you can break them of this habit fairly quickly. If you've never had a cat before, may I suggest that you get a female. I am not saying that males are no good but they are harder to train and they are not always as attentive as females, but sometimes you get lucky. Spend some time with any cat you are considering keeping. When you find the right one you will be able to tell. Good luck

Answer 8

I would vote for a cat, of course. They are quiet and can be very affectionate. Some like to go for rides in the car. I had one that I took along with me every day when I took my husband his lunch, and she loved it. She would ride in the back window. Most cats don't like to ride because the only time they do is to go to the vet, but I think if you took the cat other times, it would grow to like it. Just be careful it doesn't get out and get lost. When you go to get the cat (at the shelter or a rescue), try to find one that is friendly to you, and spend lots of time loving it, and you will find it is an exceptional friend. I think any breed is OK, I'd go by the cat's personality. I think a loving cat would lower your blood pressure while you were petting it.

Answer 9

Whichever pet you choose, make sure to spend some time with it in the "visiting" room at the shelter, so that you can be sure it's affectionate. I have one cat who's an absolute cuddle muffin, and just wanted to sit on my lap and purr in the visiting room. I have a second who's fairly autonomous--if I wanted her to love on, I would be sorely disappointed. But both of those personalities were fairly obvious at the shelter. I imagine that might be the same for dogs, especially if you get one that isn't a puppy. Good luck!

Answer 10

Unfortunately cocker spaniels are subject to something rage and on rare occasions make terrible pets. I am retired and have both a dog and 3 cats all because people thought a singlr retired man needs a pet. I was plannining to go to Japan to study for 2 years! Thats not whats stopping me though my stepdaughter decided she wanted to live near me instead of her Mom so Now I'm helping her through school ( tutoring as much as money) I do love my pets don't mind the rant but dogs are better at choosing their human human companions then we are at choosing dogs. Go to the pound and let them have you voulenteer as a dog walker. Eventually The right dog will pick you. Don't worry about breed it doesn't care what you are. BTW on 3 occasions members of my immediate family have been saved by family pets all dogs (the pets not my brothers though they can act like pigs at times)

Answer 11

Cats can become lap pets. a small dog might be good but i don't know which one. Cats are easy to train and they rarely are naughty. If you go to a pet store and buy either one, then you should spend time in the playing area. You can also get a pet that is already trained so it's easier on you.