Cat or Dog?

We are at the dreaded crossroads of should we get a pet. What do you have CAT or DOG and why?

I am all for the cat--I think they are easier to take care of--am I wrong?

Re: Cat or Dog?

i just always loved dogs.we have 2. I personally never had cats.we are dog people

Re: Cat or Dog?

We have a cat... it's my step-cat... DH's ex-wife's cat... she's NUTS ... she LIVES in one of the couches in the playroom .... oh, wait, she's in the couch when she's not throwing up under the diningroom table or on one of the only two small rugs I have in the house ...
yes, she LIVES in the couch. My IL's are over every other day and it's been MONTHS since they have seen the cat. FIL asked me the other day if she died. "I replied, I don't think so, do you smell anything?." I have enough bodily functions to clean up.

She's useless and neurotic just like her previous owner... oh, did I type that? Oh, she's also bulemic and on Prozac... I swear the cat... I have no idea about the ex

If you'd like a free cat, I'll leave my key under the mat

Message edited 7/14/2008 12:30:24 PM.

Re: Cat or Dog?

I love both but I would go with a dog. Cats are MUCH easier to take care of but I think Dogs are more interactive

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Cats are so much easier and they dont smell!!!!!

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We have a cat and I have always had a cat. I think that at this point in my life with having a baby to take care of, I just don't have the time to take care of a dog.

Remember that dogs require a lot more maintenance. You have to take them for walks, take them out to go to the bathroom. If you have to go away for the weekend, you have to arrange for the dog to be taken care of. With a cat, they have a litter box and you can go away for several days and not worry about them.

It's really up to what you can handle and how much energy you want to devote to a new pet. Good luck with your decision!

... also want to add that DS LOVES dogs, every time he sees one he gives out this loud shreik and tries to lunge forward... but he also chases our cat around the house so he loves her just as much!

I am conviniced his first word is going to be Lucy (the cat's name!)

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I am highly allergic to cats so I did not have a choice. I do not go anyplace where a cat lives. More people are allergic to cats so I think that people who get them have to accept that some people won't be able to come over. Also, I just like dogs. They have personalities of their own and they like people. My dog wants to be around me. I know a lot of people say that their cats are like that. Then they usually say, "my cat is just like a dog." But I say that if you want a cat that is like a dog, get a dog.

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I don't have personal experience actually owning either with a child, but I THINK a dog might be more playful and tolerant with a little child.

That said, if it were up to me and MY desires, I'd be all for a cat. So much less work!!!!

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So I have both AND a baby, and I 100% recommend a dog. Although with a young child I think I would get an older dog that has been in a foster home with kids to know how they are, a puppy may be a bit too challenging. The interaction between dog and child is soooo wonderful. The cat, although she is beautiful is competely neurotic, LOL!

GL

Re: Cat or Dog?

I have a dog and a cat...I love them both dearly, but I would choose a cat. They are so easy and less maintenance. The dog gets along with DD and so does the cat. I do worry about the dog being alone with DD, so I have to keep my eye on them constantly...the cat, I don't worry because if he gets annoyed with DD he just jumps high onto something. Also, my cat is a mushball and he is declawed in the front. He has never swatted at DD for anything...he actually goes up to her so she can play with him. As a PP said...when we have to go away overnight or something...we can leave the cat by himself, but we have to find somewhere for the dog to stay (usually a dog sitter).

Here's a recent pic of the cat and DD..it's so cute. I don't have any recent pics of DD playing with the dog, but she likes them both

Hey..let's go in the bathroom and play

Message edited 7/14/2008 1:50:21 PM.

Re: Cat or Dog?

Lol some of these posts are building a case for us getting a cat. I am worried about if we go on vacation--we really dont have anyone who will be willing to come over and walk the dog everyday

Now the next question is where to get a cat?

Message edited 7/14/2008 2:29:18 PM.

Re: Cat or Dog?

We have 5 cats... not only are they easier to care for when it comes to leaving the house, but they are SO affectionate. They've been amazing with my DD, much better than my parent's golden retriever who jumps all over the place and terrifies me around the baby (I was knocked over by one as a kid). The cats are awsome with her.

Re: Cat or Dog?

Posted by sometimesmommy

Lol some of these posts are building a case for us getting a cat. I am worried about if we go on vacation--we really dont have anyone who will be willing to come over and walk the dog everyday

Now the next question is where to get a cat?

Re: Cat or Dog?

You can call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, they typically have kittens and IIRC the adoption fee was pretty inexpensive and the shots were included (you have to take them to the vet, they give you a list).

We got a kitten a few years ago. Sadly it didn't work out and she kept peeing on everything that was red (my bed, a rug, her cat bed,etc.). It was awful. Fortunately a nice neighbor adopted her from us.

Good luck! Pets are a lot of work! We have ONE fish

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Dog - all my life I've had a dog. When I divorced, he got the house, I got the dog (although he has since passed away... -- the dog, that is, not the ex)

I love to watch Scout interact with Ale. And children who grow up with dogs have been proven to have less allergies.

I'm a dog lover and DH is allergic to cats anyway. So I say a dog - but, you have to take the time to take care of and train him/her.

Message edited 7/14/2008 3:05:10 PM.

Re: Cat or Dog?

Posted by karacg

Dog - all my life I've had a dog. When I divorced, he got the house, I got the dog (although he has since passed away... -- the dog, that is, not the ex)

I love to watch Scout interact with Ale. And children who grow up with dogs have been proven to have less allergies.

I'm a dog lover and DH is allergic to cats anyway. So I say a dog - but, you have to take the time to take care of and train him/her.

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CAT - for most of the reasons already listed. Yes, cats can be neurotic but I think that risk decreases when you bring the kitten into a family that already has a baby versus the other way around. Even still my neurotic cat survived the baby after being my baby for so many years. Plus, if you're both not home most of the day cats are definately an easier adjustment.

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I have a cat, although I grew up with dogs. My cat has been great with the baby and is as affectionate as any dog.

We got him at the Bide-A-Wee animal shelter in Wantagh. They are a no kill shelter that has been around for 100 years. They temperment test ALL animals before sending them out and seem to be skilled in placing pets with families. I know they also have shelters in Manhattan and Southampton.

All pets came with their immunizations and spayed/ neutered. It was the best $55 I ever spent

This is the time of year when shelters are overrun with kittens in need of homes!

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I grew up with a dog - but we now have 2 cats (I lived for 10 years on a co-op that didn't allow dogs only cats). If something happened to my cats I would probably consider getting a dog in the future. I love my cats to death (but they are sick now - one has diabetes and they both have thyroid issues) but I could never consider declawing them and they have destroyed any couch or chair we have every had. Mine in some ways are more like dogs as they love to play.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Cats are easy - you don't have to walk them (but you do have to clean litter) but some scratch and they can destroy all your furniture. My cats are 11 years old this month. DD loves them - they are very good with her chasing them around the house (and YES she does chase them from room to room and they just get up and move to the next one while she giggles and chases them).

Dogs can be more fun (depending on your pet) but can be harder to take care of.

I have read and my ped told me having a cat or dog at home when your child is young can help reduce the amount of allergies they have if that is a worry.

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Thanks so much ladies. DH and I just announced to older DD that we are getting a cat/ The response was priceless. She jumped around so happy.

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We had both when DC were born, but our two cats died... We just have one old dog now. Dogs are more work, but I think they are better with DC, but it also depends on the animals.

I read that having dogs in the house when DC are very young decreases the chances of having allergies to pets later on. Cats, for some reason, don't help with pet allergies...

Re: Cat or Dog?

I love dogs better.

Re: Cat or Dog?

We have both and my vote is for NEITHER. I am so over being a pet owner (go ahead flame me). They are so much work and with a toddler and a baby on the way I just don't want to deal. Of course I still take care of them but when their time comes I am taking a break from being a pet owner.

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We have a dog, not the easiest situation, but she gets along so well with my son they are inseperable.

I am so anti-cat, I dont like when they jump up on counter tops and such and lay all over furniture, sorry but it skeeves me out. Just stating MHO