by K Lochery

Created on: December 17, 2008

Are you a cat or a dog owner? The people that I have spoken to have shown me that generally you are one or the other, very rarely both. I, personally, am a cat person, whereas my husband is very much a dog person.

There are pros and cons for both pets, but at the end of the day, it is all down to personal choice. The reason I like cats is because they are incredibly easy to look after. As long as you have the right equipment, your cat will be very happy doing their own thing.

Another reason why I prefer cats, is because they are so loving. As well as being loving though, they can also be playful, meaning you get the best of both worlds. Cats don't need to be walked everyday, unlike dogs. And even though dog's are seen as more intelligent than cats, and can be trained more easily, I think that cats can be taught just as much as dogs, with the right amount of patience and the right amount of training. After all, you train a cat to use a litter box, so they can't be that stupid.

A cat comes in and out whenever they feel like it, and you can even keep indoor cats, who are quite happy to stay in the building all day. I have an indoor cat, simply because I live in a second storey flat. I don't think it would be fair to keep a dog in a flat, simply because of the lack of exercise it will get, and having to wait until you decide to take them out before they can use the toilet etc. This can be seen as cruel for any pet, but cats are easier to deal with than dogs in smaller spaces and they are also a lot less demanding when it comes to spacial requirements.

Also, in my experience, dogs are generally noisier than cats. My cat runs around the flat all day and my downstairs neighbor has never heard him. I know people that live underneath people with dogs and all they do is complain about the noise!

I also prefer cats because of the lack of space they need. They are generally smaller than most dogs, and are quite happy to sleep in a small corner or on the end of a couch. Dogs need a bed, or the ones that I have come across do. I don't have the room to have a dog bed in my flat! I have barely enough space to keep me, my husband and my cat, so I couldn't imagine fitting a dog in there too!

I know that choosing your ideal pet is generally down to personal preference, but if somebody was to ask me whether they should get a cat or a dog, I would recommend a cat. I wouldn't exchange my cat for a dog, ever!

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