by True Blue

Created on: May 27, 2007   Last Updated: September 16, 2009

Choosing between a cat or a dog depends on why you've decided you want a pet. You may want a pet for your family, and as an addition to your family or you might want a deterrent.

Experience both, spend time with them and really get to know both sides of the argument before asking yourself a few key questions like, What you would like a to do with your pet? Are you keen on taking an active part in its life, or prefer to let it, for the most part, take care of itself? Do you love taking walks, no matter what the weather, or prefer to sit indoors and stroke soft fluffy fur. Do you like honest to god reactions and love playing fetch or prefer to watch an elegant fur ball being choked up every now and then. It's all about you, really, and how compatible you are with either dog or cat.

It's also about the environment you live in, your home, and at a stretch the neighbours. Do you have children or have they yet to grace your presence. If they've all left home then it shouldn't matter to much, but if they are still around and especially young then it may be advisable to wait. There are all sorts of reasons why you wouldn't want your pets near your offspring.

You will know through your own experience with each kind which is more suitable. Personal preference has a lot to do with it because some people are simply Cat people, and others are Dog people. Personally my choice would be a dog instead of a cat because I think that a dog would make for a better pet, and deterrent, on the grounds that there is more interaction between a Dog and its master than a Cat and its master. Cats just seem a bit snooty to me.

A dog needs a lot more energy and attention than a cat simply because an active involvement is required to keep dogs healthy. All a Cat requires is water, feed and a scratch or cuddle every now and again. Where as a Dog requires all of the above and good walks on a daily basis. Great for your own health too because they ensure you get your daily amount of fresh air and exercise, as well as get you out of the house. And there is nothing like the sheer honesty of your true companion no matter where you go, watching your dogs animal reactions while you're out, teaches you so much about the personality of your life long, loyal friend, as well as your own self worth.

My choice is simplified because my family chose a dog for me to grow up with. My father bought me an Alsatian pup and we went everywhere together. My dad happened to also own a thoroughbred race horse too

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