The Truth About Owning Cats Vs. Dogs
The Truth about Owning Cats vs. Dogs
The two most common house pets are cats and dogs. The U.S. Pet Ownership Sourcebook states that about 6% more of Americans own dogs than they own cats. Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations. Firstly, cats make less of an impact on the owner’s life. While cats do enjoy the company of humans, it is not necessary for them to be watched throughout the day. A cat is trained to use a litter box which is always available to them. When owning a cat it is much easier to get someone to care for the cat when going out of town, because they require much less maintenance. However, dogs are born to be pack animals, so they should not be left alone, especially not for long periods of time. A dog is trained to go to the bathroom outside. Therefore, if the dog is left alone too long, there is a high possibility that the dog will end up going to the bathroom in the house. Another thing is that it is much more difficult to find someone to care for a dog when the owner is away. Dogs are a greater responsibility than cats. …show more content…
Another important concept to understand is that cats are less expensive to take care of.
Cat food and cat toys are less expensive than that of a dog. Cats also eat less, so the owner would have to buy new food for the cat less often than if it were a dog. The cost for health concerns and Veterinary visits for the cat are almost always less expensive, because cats have less health problems to care for. Also, a cat is less likely to damage property than a dog. On the other hand, the expenses for the dog’s food, health, and toys is greater. It is more common for a dog to have more health problems in their later years than cats, requiring the owner to spend more money on the dog. There is a greater possibility for a dog to destroy household property, which will cost more money to
repair. Lastly, cats require less special house accommodations. Cats are known for coming home when they are let outside, so a protective surrounding is less necessary with a cat. Since most cats are smaller in size, they do not take up as much space. Cats are less likely to get into things they are not supposed to; they are less nosy. Unlike cats, dogs require a yard to roam in and to go to the bathroom in. Dogs also need some type of structure to keep them from running off when you let them outside. Whether it be a gate around the yard or an invisible fence, dogs need something to guard them in. Dogs need to have more safety and protective devices. Especially when the dog is a young puppy, many people call it “puppy proofing” the house. There is more work to be done when owning a dog rather than a cat. All in all, cats are the easier pets to own. They interrupt the daily lives of the owner less, they cost less to care for, and they are less difficult to accommodate for. When someone is considering adopting a pet, an owner must consider the lifestyle, finances, and household accommodation that the pet would need.
The two most common house pets are cats and dogs. The U.S. Pet Ownership Sourcebook states that about 6% more of Americans own dogs than they own cats. Both cats and dogs make excellent pets, but an appropriate choice depends on the owner’s lifestyle, finances, and household accommodations. Firstly, cats make less of an impact on the owner’s life. While cats do enjoy the company of humans, it is not necessary for them to be watched throughout the day. A cat is trained to use a litter box which is always available to them. When owning a cat it is much easier to get someone to care for the cat when going out of town, because they require much less maintenance. However, dogs are born to be pack animals, so they should not be left alone, especially not for long periods of time. A dog is trained to go to the bathroom outside. Therefore, if the dog is left alone too long, there is a high possibility that the dog will end up going to the bathroom in the house. Another thing is that it is much more difficult to find someone to care for a dog when the owner is away. Dogs are a greater responsibility than cats. …show more content…
Another important concept to understand is that cats are less expensive to take care of.
Cat food and cat toys are less expensive than that of a dog. Cats also eat less, so the owner would have to buy new food for the cat less often than if it were a dog. The cost for health concerns and Veterinary visits for the cat are almost always less expensive, because cats have less health problems to care for. Also, a cat is less likely to damage property than a dog. On the other hand, the expenses for the dog’s food, health, and toys is greater. It is more common for a dog to have more health problems in their later years than cats, requiring the owner to spend more money on the dog. There is a greater possibility for a dog to destroy household property, which will cost more money to
repair. Lastly, cats require less special house accommodations. Cats are known for coming home when they are let outside, so a protective surrounding is less necessary with a cat. Since most cats are smaller in size, they do not take up as much space. Cats are less likely to get into things they are not supposed to; they are less nosy. Unlike cats, dogs require a yard to roam in and to go to the bathroom in. Dogs also need some type of structure to keep them from running off when you let them outside. Whether it be a gate around the yard or an invisible fence, dogs need something to guard them in. Dogs need to have more safety and protective devices. Especially when the dog is a young puppy, many people call it “puppy proofing” the house. There is more work to be done when owning a dog rather than a cat. All in all, cats are the easier pets to own. They interrupt the daily lives of the owner less, they cost less to care for, and they are less difficult to accommodate for. When someone is considering adopting a pet, an owner must consider the lifestyle, finances, and household accommodation that the pet would need.