So I am not a pet lover , but my kids are ( as is with all kids I believe).
They are after me to get a pet for them and they are open to any option CAT or DOG.
Which one do I go for ?
Throw your suggestions/comments which will help me to select a pet.
( Why I am asking here and not ask my kids to select , well coz we have never had pet before so we don't know what challenges are and since they are open to both options it would be great to have some inputs from this community ) .
That's ok, feel free to judge away as I'm just warning a non-pet person who's only contemplating in acquiring a pet due to their kids' desire in wanting one on what they're possibly getting themselves into. Pets ownership isn't purely just an emotional thing, rationale needs to be applied as well.
It's nothing to do with judgement… Obviously rationale needs to be applied, I merely cannot believe you can genuinely LOVE dogs yet find trivial things like finding a way to look after them when you go on holiday so overwhelming you couldn't do it again…
Of course they have to be aware of things like this, my point was merely they aren't as major as your post implies.
Like I've said, I'm applying rationale into an often emotional and judgemental subject for a non-pet loving person to see what's the overall ownership of a pet might entails. Feel free to nitpick some of my points as they are trivial for you but might not be so trivial for another person.
In all honesty. I'd rather pick out all the trivial, frivolous things to scare them away than them stuck with a pet and don't want to provide the level of care that they need. I'm out…better off walking my dog than having a yarn over the price of fish.
Please not a nasty little white thing that is let run wild in parks etc
I see you've met my children.
Get the one YOU want to look after because that will be what happens in the end. I'm a dog person and have kept both but it is seriously much easier to keep a cat if you are already a busy person.
If you like affectionate animals (I do) but prefer a cat, go for a lap cat type from a rescue if possible.
Dogs are hard work, very destructive and need a lot of love and affection, that's why so many people give them up in the end.
A cat is more of an accessory that will hang out at your home, they look after themselves.
There are some dog breeds which are smaller and more chilled but for most part they are like having another addition to the family to care and nurture for.
We have a one year old pup who we love so much but her behaviour varies on how much time we have for her. There are lots of good YouTube videos on training with positive reinforcement - expect it to be similar to having another child.
Totally personal preference.
I prefer dogs because they love you more than your cats do. They genuinely miss you when you're out. Cats are solitary creatures so the loyalty isn't there.
As they say, dogs have masters, cats have staff.
I actually heard (but I can't verify) that if you die, your dog waits 3 days before eating you. The cat will eat you straight away. I don't have a source for it so take it with a grain of salt, but it doesn't surprise me if true.
dog, definitely dog
rough
Only thing I can add is, whichever you pick, get it from RSPCA.
Much better from a financial point of view and also they come with a 2 week "warranty" - you can return the pet for any reason during the first two weeks if your kids find out that they hate taking care of it.
NEVER ever buy from a pet shop!
Kids seem to pressure parents to get animals and then ditch the hard work of owning an animal to the parents. Walking, training, feeding, everything. As you as the parent don't like animals I hope you don't get an animal at all.
Yes, the parents (usually the father) will be the pooper scooper for the animal for the next decade+.
Are you a pooper scooper?
I'm tasked with removing my pet's waste, yes.
I highly recommend considering a cat, especially since you're not a pet person, as they are much less maintenance than a dog and some cats can be quite playful and affectionate. Check out local shelters, you can generally adopt a kitten for about $150 which includes all the vaccinations, microchipping and desexing. Adult cats are even cheaper.
Also plot twist, I have always been a dog person and did not like cats at all but have absolutely fallen in love with cats since inheriting one.
Inb4 somene says 'username checks out'
Also can I just add… might be worthwhile checking if your kids have any allergies before committing to a pet because that would be pretty devastating for the kids and not fair on the pet.
What allergies?
Allergies to pets (eg, fur)
@sparathecat: Good point about allergies. I've lived with cats literally since I was born, but damn my cat allergies can get annoying sometimes. If I cuddle them too much/stick my face in their fur I end up with a lot of sneezing/blocked nose. And I'm lucky my allergy isn't too serious.
As a first animal, I would recommend a cat. They will give you love and affection but also keep to themselves, while a dog needs constant attention.
Also, please study the medical history of the breed. Many pure breeds, especially in dogs, have a laundry list of common medical complaints. They entail large vet bills, and suffering for you and your animal. Consider buying a mongrel. All my pure breed dogs had serious medical issues despite being 'well bred' and with 'breeding histories'. Similar situation, but not quite as bad, in cats. My two tabby cats were supremely healthy and I highly recommend getting an animal that's affectionate and attracted to you, rather than one that 'looks nice'.
If your not a pet person I wouldn't get a cat or dog. Go for some thing smaller maybe a rabbit?
With dogs it depends on the breed and how you raise them. They can be soft if you want them to be. Lots of working dogs don't need much attention. When my cattledog was young she sat in the yard protecting it and catching birds, eyeing people out lol. If we bugged her it would be for a walk or run or to play. Also drives she loved drives. We did walk her every day some times twice a day.
A rabbit is really not that different in terms of the care required when compared to a cat.
+1
I love cats. When I was a kid I used to have cats, but it's nightmare to clean the litter box.
Now, I will only consider mini lop rabbit as a pet to roam freely at my backyard.
Look I don't want to be seen as rude here but you need to make the decision. The pet will be a member of your family. You'll have to essentially think of it as another kid.
It's a big family decision. It's a good way to teach your kids responsibility but you'll need to be ready to dive in if you have to. If there is one thing that really gives me the shits is people who get a pet and then have to give it up because they didn't realise about the costs or other stupid excuses. There is NO excuse to give up a pet.
If you get a cat it'll will be with you for the next 20 years. A dog will be 12-15 years.
For a first pet I personally think a dog is better for kids. If you aren't a pet person get a cat though.
A cat will be less work but still require feeding, grooming, while it's young it'll want to play. Cats are happy with a sunny couch spot to sit on during the day but you can't just leave them alone. Most expect head scratches and to sleep on your or one of your kid's beds at night
Assuming your wife is a house wife then put her preference first as she'll do most of the caring, feeding, clean, etc.
Also note that cats may permanently leave their family for a better one. If your kids are mean the cat may one day vanish and then come home 10 years later.
Also beware big dog breeds can kill small children and attack new born babies.
I see many new babies killed this week by large dogs - its a disgrace!
You don't know of documented cases where a newborn is brought home and it gets attacked by the family dog?
Both are tasty.
Wine recommendations?
Personally we have 2 dogs and a cat.
In terms of damage the cat does more, such as scratches the lounge, carpet and ruins the mesh on the doors - but we have got cat proof mesh now so not so bad. If you were to go for a cat I'd get a cat run. Having cats that roam outside are too much trouble as they can potentially come home with wild life or run into trouble and therefore have expensive vet bills. Having cats inside will mean you'll need a litter tray which firstly stinks up the house and requires a fair bit of maintenance especially if your cat is picky with fresh cat litter etc.
Trained dogs can be little trouble however will require a lot of love, attention and regular walks etc. You'll also need to find someone to mind them if you go away unless you decide to take them with. You would need to make sure you also pick a suitable breed for your needs/house etc of course.
So depends if you have the time to train and care for I'd go for a dog.
If you are willing to put up with the lounge/carpets being scratched and have room to create a cat run go for a cat.
Get a cat. Easy as to care for. I was always a dog person but now have 2 cats. I am merely a servant who cleans their litter tray and feeds them.
Rescue a greyhound - just like large cats
Surely a lot depends on whether you have a house and garden or flat in a block of units?
Cats FTW (Cats take care of themselves and don't like too much attention).
Dogs? You must make time to exercise them and to play with them. Plus, more maintenance.
Whatever you adopt just make sure you choose wisely as you will have to put up for next 7-12 years.
I would advise you to be an inspiration for your kids and adopt a pet from the shelter (rescue). Be a hero man.
I'm a dog person. I love dogs and they are a lot of fun for kids to play with. A lot of research to be done on breeds though. Exercise needs, propensity for health issues, size, space needed, food costs, temperament etc. I agree 100% with getting a rescue dog. I've had a couple and they have been amazing. As a bonus if you get an adult dog they may cause less damage than a puppy (although not definite). I got a puppy and had all the time to train him and play with him as a puppy then when I wanted to add a second one I didn't have the time for intensive training etc. Got an adult rescue dog and she just easily slotted into my life without any hard work, just was happy to be here. I was super lucky.
I've never had a cat but the ones I have met didn't seem super fun - timid or bitey. I'm sure that's not all cats.
Good work with rescue.
Thanks, they're great :)
I was in the same boat 2 kids, 2 and 4. My son said he wanted rats,after looking into it, we took the plunge. Couldn't be happier! Even my wife loves the rats.
Yes, they are potty trained :)
add a poll
Though bikies might not make good pets. :)
They bring in the dough though, never seen a dog do that
Make sure you adopt one from RSPCA! Animals there need to find good loving homes :)
POLL
AND
DOG, man's/Womans best friend!!!
None of them!
If you are not a pet lover, it will be a pain for both of you, you and the pet.
Besides having pets to live with humans is never a good idea. They have lots of bugs, diseases and hassle, especially if kept inside. Remember, pets do not take showers daily, they go out, they do not put undies on and they do not wash themselves when rubbing themselves everywhere. As a comparison, imagine if a human would exactly do the same. Would you want them to live with you and your children?
I was crazy about pets and had many when I was a kid, I had the privilege of having all sort of dirt and the pain of having many different animals, then I grew up.
They should follow their own way of life.
And I believe I've read that pet owners have better immune systems for it.
Have you? Pubmed? Medline? Embase? Sciencedirect?? Or on Jenny McCarthy's Facebook?
I don't know any health professional who has pets or talks in favour of having one without ignoring the risks.
After all it is morally wrong. We should leave the animals alone.
All the health professionals I know (doctors, nurses…) have pets.
There are specially trained cats/dogs regularly visit hospitals and nursing homes. One of the hospitals in Melbourne even build a special area for pets to visit their sick owners!
@NancyCat: Well this is a totally different matter. Off course when you are dealing with desperate and miserable sick people who feel lonely and especially in need of psychological support, having a pet is good company to progress and pass the disease period and is a beautiful idea.
But shoving a single situation like this into people's throat as a general rule does not seem to be a good argument. Leave the animals alone, they are not our toys.
As I said I enjoyed having pets, then I grew up.
I still refer you to my previous comment. Credible scientific source that having pets is a healthy practice? I am not talking about lonely miserable and desperate people who need mental or psychological support.
Please don't get guinea pigs or rabbits because they somehow seem less responsibility and work because they are smaller. Almost every time the novelty of guinea pigs etc will wear off for kids very very quickly, and you will be the one looking after them. Since you are not a pet person, they will probably end up having an unloved boring life, or even dying from cold/heat exposure etc (as my partners guinea pig did when he was little).
I have two guinea pigs and a cat, and believe to look after them properly they are definitely more work than a cat. A cat is at least better at looking after itself and will let you know clearly when it is out of food/water or needs its litter changed. :)
Step1: Get dog… all forms of depression and axiety in the world diminished.
more work… but he's family.
When you walk through that door after a hard day of work.. no one will greet you with more love and affection ever.
note: my mother hated dogs, I got one without asking. Now (when he's staying at their place). He wakes up at 6am and waits outside her room for her to take him for a walk. She gets the physical exercise and gets a chance to socialise with other owners.
Children will get more enjoyment from a small dog than a cat but make sure it's a small dog and not some bastard pit bull or something.
Should of posted this as a poll
Dog
“I simply can’t resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love, of course.”
- Mark Twain, American author and humorist
How old are your kids anyway? If they're quite young, you and your wife might end up taking care most of the work.
In my personal experience, since my dad was big on animals I grew up with dogs, cats, pigeons, doves, goats, gold fish, guinea pigs, can't remember what else (and before anyone ask: no, we didn't eat any of them). I personally became a dog person, for some reason the dogs were the most memorable. Having said that, cats with the right personality can be very adorable too.
All cats are spawns of Satan. There. I said it!
P.S. If you like cats, you are statistically much more likely to have a brain parasite. No, for real. Check out this Ted-Ed video:
I am a dog owner and can say everything in this pinterest article is true…
https://au.pinterest.com/pin/68730252423/?e_t=ed260f207f854f…
Also you should print out this infographic and throw a dart at it…
Depends on your family and how much time/effort you have. If your kids are small/lose interest, it's likely you will have to do a lot of the work.
Dogs require lots of training, walking, playing with. Very affectionate, and will always want to run around - but if no one is prepared to walk them, then it's not fair on the dog. Cool cause you can teach them tricks and to fetch and such. But also, if you ever want to go on holiday you'll either, need to take them with you, put them in a kennel, or have a friend look after them. From experience, my dad hates going on holidays because he doesn't want to leave the dog alone. They also cry a lot if left in the house alone. Dogs also require grooming. Hair cuts, nail clipping, bathing. They're likely to make your house smell.
Cats require training too - kitty litter and such. Best to get a female cat, because even male cats that were neutered are known to spray eventually. My cat was neutered at the correct time, never sprayed for 6 years, and recently started. They're super chill, and prefer to sleep. If you annoy them in a way they don't like, they'll let you know. Then again, if you get a cat when it's a kitten, it'll be super energetic and love playing (depending on temperment). If you spend a lot of time with them as they grow, they'll love you so much. Always nice to sit and have the cat come up, purr, and just sit with me. Also a lot easier if you don't have much time to walk/play with. They won't cry if left home alone all day, and are much easier to leave at home if you go on holidays for a few days, as they'll just need food/water, and maybe a visit from a neighbour/friend, depending on how long you're gone. Cats don't really need grooming, unless they're long haired. They clean themselves, and if they're allowed outside, climbing trees will help their nails stay at a good length. Downside is cat fur on EVERYTHING.
Both animals are affectionate and will love you - just in different ways. Dogs are kind of boof heads. They'll jump on you and lick you. It's obvious when they love you. Cats love in a different way. They purr when they see you, they rub their heads on you, sometimes they give little love nips. Lots of people see this as them not caring, but when you know what it means, it's even more special because you know you've gained their trust.
I love both, but am probably more for cats. Even so, tried to be unbiased, hopefully some of my points help :)
Don't get a pet, you will have to look after it and do all the work
Animal lovers should not get a cat.
1st off, cats are killing machines. They kill native birds, and other indigenous wildlife.
Risk of escape and going feral.
There are estimated to be 7 million feral cats in Australia.
Responsible owners keep cats indoors. But is this fair on the cat?
Cat ownership should be banned in Australia
No idea why this is negged. It's the truth. If we want to protect our wildlife, it's the hard truth.
I guess toxoplamsmosis is disagreeing…
Although I tend to agree,truth is up here in the Otway Ranges cats usually hunt rodents and rarely get a bird.
Sighted one feral cat in 25 years.
Cars get the most wild birds.
Foxes get a lot of ducks and chickens.
Feed me free food and a place to sleep ill be any pet you want at any time
I expected this question to be a religious debate lol.
Don't get a cat if you're planning to have children any time soon as "toxoplasmosis" can cause miscarriage
This is only if you come in contact with the poop. As long as his significant other doesn't change the litter, it's totally fine.
Not worth the risk imo.
😻😻
If you aren't a pet lover why get a pet in the first place? You mustn't be the man of the house if you have to get a pet, Your kids are just going to not take care of it in a weeks time and do something else. Save yourself the trouble and buy them 1 gold fish each, at least then they can't kill it without trying.
Maybe get that old Nintendo game Nintendogs and let them play with a dog virtually without having a real one shitting in your yard, Also cats leave hair EVERYWHERE and are a pain in the ass because they like to climb and run away all the time. Better off with a small dog if you want a dog, do not get a BIG dog either, My brother has a big dog and it shits the size of bricks and it costs him a fair amount of $ to feed the thing too.
IMO, small dog or cat that doesn't shed hair or as much.
If you get a cat, train it as you would a dog. Don't let people tell you they can't/won't be trained.
Like any animal, reward it when it's good (food/pats/cuddles) and discipline it when it's bad (I use the 'tssst' sound (kind of like a mini hiss), snapping my fingers and a low voice). Keep reinforcing the desired behaviours and be consistent.
Also, if the cat is going to go outside, supervise it. I'd recommend keeping it indoors otherwise with plenty of things to play with. Most of all though, it will want you and the kids to play with it rather than just being expected to play by itself. A lot of people forget this. You don't need to buy toys really either. Wiggling a piece of string and being creative with other objects is just fine.
Oh, and make sure you teach it that hands are not toys :)
Good luck!
I feel like if you have to ask online, get neither. If you don't want a pet, don't get a pet. You're going to be the one to look after it - no matter what your kids tell you.
Personally, I find cats to be evil, but they require very little maintenance, whereas, to turn the maintenance of dogs into a positive, great way to teach kids responsibility.
I personally feel you get so much more love from a dog, but they need exercise and stimulation so as not to get mischevious. With cats it seems to me to be luck of the draw as to whether they decide to go mental lol.
Please go registered breeder or rescue animal either way.
You are evil
Get a Pug (a dog) they are a very family friendly dog. I've had one since I was born :)
OP, are you still alive??
@knick007 Yes mate still breathing. Just want free flow of inputs that's why I am reading each n every comment but not responding
When I was younger I must have been the only kid ever who didn't want a pet.
I'll suggest a cat because they sleep most of the time and are so cute. I've had both a dog and a cat and I think dogs just need more attention/care. A cat is an easier pet to maintain.
@mia03 thanks for the suggestion
If you get a cat, get a ragdoll cat.
If you get a dog, be sure you get one with an energy level you can deal with
@zondor thanks for the suggestion
A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his.
Cat.
They are a lot less maintenance and work. I would recommend you buy an Australian Mist.
Please read the below if you're going to get a dog. Most dogs bark.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/312305
I would also consider a bird. If trained well they have a lot of personality and some breeds you can play with gently. A bird depends on the age of your kids. I do work and have my bird just hang out on my shoulder some nights or on my leg or shoulder while I watch TV. If you have carpet everywhere in your house, disregard the bird idea.
Ask me anything I've had a lot of animals throughout my life.
Used to play 8 ball with cockatoo on our shoulders.
Fascinated him.
Just wipe carpet with tissue and brush/vacuum later when dry.
Rabbit.
This was always going to turn into a cat vs dogs debate. Well speaking from experience I say (profanity) cats!, They're filthy self-righteous animals that will piss anywhere they feel like, treat you like shit until they want something and will kill off wildlife. Pretty much like living with my ex girlfriend.
get a snake
Thanks @ggkfc wonder how you fit in the OzBargainers community
I'm not sure you love them as much as you think you do if these things are major issues for you!
Not that I'm saying you don't like them or mistreat them or anything, I've just never heard a genuine dog lover express a desire to give up dogs because of kennel costs (though most people have family or friends who will look after the dog during holidays) etc.