Should I Adopt a Dog or a Cat?
Wondering if you’re a Cat or a Dog person? Let’s find out together.
Adopting a pet is a huge deal, as you will be taking complete responsibility for another being. It’s almost like parenting a kid. You have to love them will all your heart and all the patience in the world. But unlike kids, Dogs and Cats have completely contrasting natures, which takes us to a very crucial question, what should you adopt? A Dog or a cat?
There are age-old debates between cat and dog lovers, trying to determine which one makes the best pet. But here, in this article, that isn’t our aim. We love both Cats and Dogs, and our goal is to help you understand which pet suits you better.
To know more, Read on with us!
Asses your Personality
Personality plays a pivotal role when deciding on one’s pet. Be it dogs or cats, when you’re finding yourself a new pet, always remember that there should be a sense of compatibility between you and your pet. This brings us to an interesting analysis of the traits between a dog person and a cat person.
- A dog person is generally somebody who loves company. They are compassionate, kind, and extremely loyal, while a cat person is somebody who is independent and loves some alone time once in a while.
- A dog person takes pride in being efficiently planned and disciplined They are very obedient and cooperative. A cat person, on the other hand, is very imaginative and creative and mostly non-conformist, who prefers to stand out from the rest.
- A dog person is usually somebody who is tough-minded, and has great decision-making skills, but is also very selfless, while a cat person is adventurous, and courageous but also very cautious and reserved.
- A dog person is very devoted to the loved ones in their life. Also, contrary to usual belief, a cat person needs constant reassurance from their loved people.
Maintenance of Dogs or Cats
Maintenance of pets is a full-time responsibility. Starting from their feeding to their grooming routines, they will be dependent on you for each and everything.
Dog Adoption Care
Dogs are the best of friends you can ever have. To know what you’ll be signing up for as a dog parent, read what the important things are for maintaining a dog.
Things to remember while feeding your dog:
- Newborn puppies need special attention and care. In the first eight to twelve weeks, pups need 4 proper meals a day. After three months, they need at least 3 proper meals a day, and after six months, pups need two meals daily.
- After one year, dogs need one nutritious meal every day. To avoid bloating in bigger canines, two smaller meals are better than one big one.
Dog food is indeed a bit more expensive than cat food, but packaged dog food has a balanced and nutritious diet. It will provide your dog with all the necessary nutrients. You can also cook your dog’s meals, but be very cautious about limiting cooked eggs, veggies, and fruits to 10% of the total meal.
Exercise:
Dogs need to exercise every day to stay healthy. The amount of exercise varies according to age, breed, and sex. Supervising your dog’s exercise will also give you the perfect opportunity to bond with your dog.
Housing:
Your dog will need a loving household to have a happy and healthy life. Your dog’s bedding should be kept clean and washed regularly. If you live in humid climatic conditions, make sure that your dog has enough cool water intake every day.
Vaccinations and medications:
- Vaccination – Your dog will need regular vaccination to ward off different types of flu and other diseases.
- Spraying and Neutering – Male dogs need to be neutered, and female dogs need to be sprayed by the time they’re 6 months old.
- Fleas and ticks – Check your dog for fleas and ticks regularly. You can also use a flea comb to remove ticks from your dog’s body.
Cleaning up the poop:
Adopting a dog is like having a lifelong trustworthy friend, but you must know before adopting a pet that cleaning up your dog’s poop is your responsibility. Potty-training a dog is as important as potty-training a child. You can also take your dog to an instructor to get trained. Also, nobody likes dog shit just outside their house or down the streets, so when you take your top dog out to poop, carry the means to clean up after your dog.
Cat Adoption Care
Thinking of adding a cat to your family? To know what you’ll need to do as a cat parent, read on.
Things to remember while feeding your cat:
Your cat’s health should be your priority always. Cat diet will vary according to the cat’s age, sex, and breed. You can purchase high-quality cat food for your feline friend, or consult a veterinarian to decide on your cat’s diet.
- Taurine is an essential amino acid required to make sure that your cat stays hearty and healthy. It is good for the eyes and heart and should be included in the cat’s diet in the correct proportion.
- You should keep changing your cat’s water at regular intervals. It is also important to clean your cat’s bowl daily.
- Please be careful when you’re treating your dog with something else. Onion and garlic can lead to poisoning in cats.
Grooming:
Cats have a natural mechanism of remaining clean at most times and do not need daily baths. However, we would advise you to bathe and brush your cat often, as it helps in reducing diet and shedding.
Housing:
If you think you’re ready to be a cat parent, you should prepare some cat comfort beforehand comfort as well. Your cat should have a clean and dry place to live in – a soft and clean bedding spot. Also, be cautious about letting your cat out, as it might be dangerous. Letting your cat out unchecked often also increases the chances of fleas and ticks.
Health:
Cats need to be taken to the vet once a year. So, make it a point to schedule an appointment with the vet every year to make sure that your cat is up to date with vaccines and is healthy. If your pet cat shows continual signs of diarrhea, or vomiting for over two days, consult a vet immediately.
Cleaning up the poop:
Keep a little box near your cat’s bed. You should know that a cat likes to remain clean and will probably never use a dirty litter box. So, cleaning the litter box is your responsibility to make sure that your cat doesn’t litter all around the house.
To sum it up:
In this article, we have summarised all the crucial factors that you have to consider before adopting a dog or cat. Adopting a pet is a life-altering decision and a big commitment. So, be patient with yourself when you assess your compatibility with a pet. We also highly support the “Adopt, Don’t shop” campaign, as there are millions of animals out there looking for a comfortable home, and if you can provide a home to even one of them, that will be the beginning of a new change.
