by Erin Ahmed

Created on: January 13, 2008

Many would be pet owners have been faced with the decision - do I get a cat or a dog? Wanting to be a responsible pet owner, you are naturally going to consider the amount of time and effort you are willing and able to devote to your new furry companion. So you ponder the choices. Dogs are known for their loyalty, but cats are easier to take care of, right? The answer is; not necessarily.

It is true in a basic comparison of cat versus dog care that dogs might appear to require more maintenance. After all, dogs need to be walked, want lots of attention and we all know you can't leave a day's worth of food out for them. In most cases, your canine friend is absolutely certain all that food is merely a wonderful blessing from his owner and meant to be devoured in one meal. But does this mean caring for kitty is easier?

At first glance, caring for a cat would seem to be simpler and afford their owner more flexibility with their schedule. Generally you can leave your feline friend alone for a stretch of time as long as they have food, clean water and a litter box. Scatter a few cat toys around and you can be gone a good twenty-four hours before they even start to miss you. Maybe.

Cats, like dogs, each have their own distinct personalities. Some would walk over your unconscious body for a few days and not notice you and others get frantic at the mere sight of you putting on your coat or picking up your keys.

Let me give you an example of what can happen if you are the unwitting victim of a very needy cat.

I have a friend who absolutely adores cats. She agreed to foster care a stray that was destined for euthanasia. If you talk to her today, she will tell you she now might know why. This darling little kitty is named Rosanne and on the scale of neediness, she rates a 10.

After Rosanne settled into her new foster home she began to exhibit some strange behaviors. At first it seemed cute and adorable that she couldn't be more than a distance of three inches from her new mom. It quickly went bad...

Not only did Rosanne require close personal contact, she also had the compulsive need to constantly touch and knead her new owner's face. She also had the very annoying habit of sleeping next to her face and tossing and turning all night long. Needless to say, the new mom was not getting much sleep. Naturally, Rosanne was expelled from the bedroom but this only led to constant scratching and crying at the door and finally she was banished to the terrace.

All seemed well until her new owner decided to go away for a few days and board Rosanne with the vet. This distressed poor Rosanne so badly that upon her return to home she had nearly a week of severe diarrhea that just about brought her owner to her wit's end. It took days of extra effort and special food before kitty returned to good health.

I am happy to report that Rosanne is now doing better but her owner may need counseling. It is impossible for her to leave this cat alone for a period of time longer that her usual work day or she will suffer the consequences. So much for flexibility in the owner's schedule.

Of course, this is not a typical cat owner's experience, but it is food for thought when considering bringing a pet into your home. When choosing to get a pet, of any kind, you must be aware that animals are all unique in their personalities and needs, and decide if you are truly commited to this new venture. Your pet is completely dependent on you, just as an infant would be.

So be a responsible pet owner. Don't get a pet that's "easier" to care for, get a pet that you are willing to commit to and care for. In return you will be blessed with many days of joy and possibly the best friend you will ever have.

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