Dog or cat?

[CCSUblue]

Just be smart about it. For instance, don't get a husky if you live in the south where it's warm some of the time and hot most of the time! They can't handle the heat, their bred for the cold.

 

[Fishy]

To play off the other pet thread. I'm thinking of getting either a dog or cat. I like dogs and cats equally and am a bit conflicted on what to get. Since I live in an apartment in the city if it was a dog I would lean towards non active breeds, bulldog and pug come to mind....I've always loved Beagles and Jack Russell's but they need to run and explore, living in a city apartment wouldn't be fair to them. A cat is certainly a lot easier. Any recommendations on good apartment dog breeds, non barkers and what cat breeds tend to have the best/most fun personalities?

I am going to make some assumptions....

You're fairly young and you're single with no kids. One of the upsides to that situation is the freedom to do what you want when you want.

Why would you give that up to buy an animal? Especially when you're not even sure what kind you want.

You can't go away for the weekend or stay away for even an extended day without making some sort of provision for the animal that's going to either die or tear apart your home in your absence. You're going to have to constantly clean up after this thing when you're probably just barely keeping up cleaning up for yourself. And then you'll meet a woman or buy a mail order bride who will inevitably hate the beast and you will spend hours walking in the rain nailing "Free to Good Home" flyers to telephone poles.

Dude, no. Do not do it.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Go buy a guitar. Or take up sudoku. You sound bored. Get a hobby to fill some time that doesn't go to the bathroom on the floor, throw up hairballs, claw furniture, rack up vet bills, wake you up in the middle of the night, drag their rear end across your light carpet, get old and have to eventually be put to sleep that sends you into weeks of depression.

A year and a half ago, my dog started drunk walking. He was around 9. I took him to the vet. He needed neck surgery. 10 grand later he is now going strong. Around the same time my other dog started having seizures. Any way her meds are around 55 per month. I really need them in my life but you are right. It ain't cheap.

 

[MattMang23]

If you want to still have a life, get a cat.

And I’m a “dog person” saying this.

 

[Fishy]

A year and a half ago, my dog started drunk walking. He was around 9. I took him to the vet. He needed neck surgery. 10 grand later he is now going strong. Around the same time my other dog started having seizures. Any way her meds are around 55 per month. I really need them in my life but you are right. It ain't cheap.

I appreciate how much people love their animals. They're not for me, but they're magic for some people.

My parents bought a puppy in 2006. Three days later, my father died. (He was sick - the dog was never a suspect.)

The dog saved my mother - hardest time of her life and she had to take care of this little thing. It really got her through - almost 14 years later, they are still inseparable.

Of course, I hate the stupid thing and it cost me a fortune the only time it set foot in my house, but I am grateful that it exists.

 

[Kauffmak10]

 

[uconnfan68]

I appreciate how much people love their animals. They're not for me, but they're magic for some people.

My parents bought a puppy in 2006. Three days later, my father died. (He was sick - the dog was never a suspect.)

The dog saved my mother - hardest time of her life and she had to take care of this little thing. It really got her through - almost 14 years later, they are still inseparable.

Of course, I hate the stupid thing and it cost me a fortune the only time it set foot in my house, but I am grateful that it exists.

You really wanted that new kitchen.

 

[Travelman6]

I wouldn’t

Why, what exactly is wrong with adopting a cat? It is no different from adopting a dog. I've adopted both. My avatar pic is of an adopted cat, he was great.

I would not NOT adopt or get a rescue cat or dog. There are too many abandoned, neglected, forgotten, etc. cats and dogs to not adopt.

I know...I'm missing that 30 seconds when you come home and they're happy to see you because you're going to give them food and let them go to the bathroom.

Never owned a cat (or dog) that was ever convenient like that. They were always very loving but it really depends on how you raise them and treat them.

 

[Dove]

Cat.

Super low maintenance, and if you pick right, you'll get a well behaved companion who is happy to curl up on you or leave you the hell alone, while not making the entire house smell like dog.

Dog smell trumps ammonia.

And what exactly is a dog smell? You mean that deep musky smell of their coat?

 

[Fishy]

Dog smell trumps ammonia.

And what exactly is a dog smell? You mean that deep musky smell of their coat?

Spoilers....they both stink.

 

[Dove]

A year and a half ago, my dog started drunk walking. He was around 9. I took him to the vet. He needed neck surgery. 10 grand later he is now going strong. Around the same time my other dog started having seizures. Any way her meds are around 55 per month. I really need them in my life but you are right. It ain't cheap.

Man, your two dogs and your poor wife? Is there anyone close by helping YOU out?

 

[Madmannsucks]

I appreciate how much people love their animals. They're not for me, but they're magic for some people.

My parents bought a puppy in 2006. Three days later, my father died. (He was sick - the dog was never a suspect.)

The dog saved my mother - hardest time of her life and she had to take care of this little thing. It really got her through - almost 14 years later, they are still inseparable.

Of course, I hate the stupid thing and it cost me a fortune the only time it set foot in my house, but I am grateful that it exists.

Believe me, I seriously considered putting them down. With everything going on in my life, no way could I. When I think I am having a terrible time, one or both will come up and lick my hand and wag their tails, and BOOM...for a minute, life is good.

 

[Dove]

Spoilers....they both stink.

 

[Madmannsucks]

Man, your two dogs and your poor wife? Is there anyone close by helping YOU out?

Well, first the dogs help. I have 2 adult sons and a daughter nearby. So yes. Now I get respite care every Saturday, so I can get out and someone watches her. I also a nurse once a week, 2 nurse's aides visit per week and a caregiver 3 days a week. For the longest time(not really that long, maybe a year and a half) I did it all alone. Cost an arm and a leg till I found out about Colorado Access, which we qualify for because of her condition. So yeah, I even got to go see some live blues on Sunday. I used to see 2 or 3 shows a month-this was the 1st time in almost a year.

 

[Adios]

Fish are underrated. One tank of blue spotted sunfish. Another with a 3 or 4 year old giant gourami, 10 inches long. She attacks the glass when I put anything against the glass.

 

[superjohn]

A year and a half ago, my dog started drunk walking. He was around 9. I took him to the vet. He needed neck surgery. 10 grand later he is now going strong. Around the same time my other dog started having seizures. Any way her meds are around 55 per month. I really need them in my life but you are right. It ain't cheap.

Geezus man, you deserve a break.

 

[UofCT]

Why, what exactly is wrong with adopting a cat? It is no different from adopting a dog. I've adopted both. My avatar pic is of an adopted cat, he was great.

I would not NOT adopt or get a rescue cat or dog. There are too many abandoned, neglected, forgotten, etc. cats and dogs to not adopt.


Never owned a cat (or dog) that was ever convenient like that. They were always very loving but it really depends on how you raise them and treat them.

I watched Hocus Pocus one too many times as a kid and I can’t bring myself to liking cats

 

[Mano]

Nearly 10 years with this fella, have felt lucky the whole time.

 

[navery12]

I just got my first apartment around 6 months ago and have been trying to decide this same thing. I want a dog, but I've never had one and feel like it's going to be a lot more work than I could possibly imagine. Also feel bad leaving a dog alone in an empty apartment for 12 hours every day

 

[Rocktheworld]

Also feel bad leaving a dog alone in an empty apartment for 12 hours every day

Good. You really can’t do this.

Get a yard, or get a cat.

 

[crewbear742]

A dog is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. A cat will spend its days plotting to kill you. My daughters say "The cat is not trying to kill you, dad." But I know better. I've looked in its eyes...

Unfortunately, the cat has powerful allies.

 

[Guapo]

Dog

 

[bmayuc]

Riverside pizza in Thompson ct has the best pizza

 

[SouthBayHusky]

Simple one. I’ve had dogs (mostly big ones though) and cats my whole life. Honestly, both are affectionate and loyal if you’re giving them proper attention. Dogs however are way more high maintenance and you can’t leave for a week and have someone stop in and feed them, as they require ongoing walking and attention. Cats on the other hand can be left alone for short periods someone stopping in daily. I would definitely lean toward a cat, preferably male tabby.

 

[storrsroars]

I am going to make some assumptions....

You're fairly young and you're single with no kids. One of the upsides to that situation is the freedom to do what you want when you want.

Why would you give that up to buy an animal? Especially when you're not even sure what kind you want.

You can't go away for the weekend or stay away for even an extended day without making some sort of provision for the animal that's going to either die or tear apart your home in your absence. You're going to have to constantly clean up after this thing when you're probably just barely keeping up cleaning up for yourself. And then you'll meet a woman or buy a mail order bride who will inevitably hate the beast and you will spend hours walking in the rain nailing "Free to Good Home" flyers to telephone poles.

Dude, no. Do not do it.

Always taking the negative view.

Here's a more positive way to look at owning a dog as a single person:
11 Best Dogs to Attract Chicks | AMOG

 

[storrsroars]

Nearly 10 years with this fella, have felt lucky the whole time.

Well, if we're gonna be sharing photos, here's 100 lbs of an animal who looks like a typical dumb, friendly Golden Retriever, but whose Great Pyrenees side will scare the living crap out anyone who approaches its vague and portable definition of "territory", and who in a typical day, will shed enough fur to choke a dozen cats, obeys commands only when he's damned well ready to, terrifies the neighbors, barks for extended periods at imagined threats a mile away, and will guarantee you can't join the gig economy as an Uber driver due to all the hair in the backseat.

Cisco is 5 and has been with us more than 2 years now, because when we were checking him out at his foster home, he hopped into our car and would not leave. And yes, the bastard did eat my burger last weekend when I went to get more cole slaw.

 

[Deepster]

Believe me, I seriously considered putting them down. With everything going on in my life, no way could I. When I think I am having a terrible time, one or both will come up and lick my hand and wag their tails, and BOOM...for a minute, life is good.

They lick your hand because your skin is salty.

 

[Rocktheworld]

They lick your hand because your skin is salty.

Dogs must be following you all over Hartford

 

[mauconnfan]

Well, if we're gonna be sharing photos, here's 100 lbs of an animal who looks like a typical dumb, friendly Golden Retriever, but whose Great Pyrenees side will scare the living crap out anyone who approaches its vague and portable definition of "territory", and who in a typical day, will shed enough fur to choke a dozen cats, obeys commands only when he's damned well ready to, terrifies the neighbors, barks for extended periods at imagined threats a mile away, and will guarantee you can't join the gig economy as an Uber driver due to all the hair in the backseat.

View attachment 45923

Cisco is 5 and has been with us more than 2 years now, because when we were checking him out at his foster home, he hopped into our car and would not leave. And yes, the bastard did eat my burger last weekend when I went to get more cole slaw.

That burger story is some funny stuff storrroars as well as the fur and all. Needed some pup laughs thanks.

Just a side note my Amber was given a seat next to me when others weren’t around to push her away from begging lol. She pushed the chair back and got up on the back legs to let me know whatever I’m having needs to be shared. Yeah yeah not good I know blah blah blah but she was family. Family ate steak she had steak, eggs she had eggs and bacon etc etc.. Normally we mixed it with Alpo or whatever the food of the week was but she’d get her share. And she didn’t beg when guests were over she knew her ground rules. Never bread or chocolate but she was fed well. Loved carrots and watermelon lol.

Anyway superjohn unless you have a park nearby with grass and lots of it I’d say cat is a no brainer. Part of the love of the dog is bringing them anywhere they can walk, new places with new scents and morning and afternoon walks to make them happy. Not sure of that where you are but it’s important to them and us, lots of quality time outside of the home.

Cats are great too we have 2 left who grew up with amber and they’re like her, they watched her and hung out with their big sister. They sleep in her beds the last day or so as they wonder where big sis is. But a cat can make a wonderful companion for you and as described you can do more without them being as needy, rightfully so, as a puppy.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[Imdone]

Whatever you get - get it from a rescue shelter.
If you get a cat get a male; they are more lovable than the females.
Cat or dog you can't go wrong and won't regret it.