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 ) .
Pet Taco
Taco Cat - Is spelled the same way forward & backward..
Catdog?
@jasong Should I toss
Not hotdog
If you're not a pet lover, I'd recommend a cat. They're usually chill and don't need a lot of attention or work. They don't need to be trained, walked, or groomed. While they do like affection, they'd probably be equally as happy if you were replaced by an automatic food/water dispenser. I think a pet like that is a good place to start if you're unsure.
Yep, I agree, and I am a dog person.
Just be sure that with any pet it is desexed.
Keep cats indoors at night (ours sleeps in shed to avoid waking us up).
Its unfortunate that you don't understand cats properly.
Not sure why the down votes? I grew up on a farm and the animals weren't allowed inside because they were covered in mud/dirt all the time. They'd sleep outside every night (in a cold climate) and were experts at finding a sheltered spot to sleep- so long as it was out of the wind they were fine. It's like they evolved ways to stay warm over the last 65 million years or so?
Back to topic, dogs are better but get a small one if you are in a city.
Because cats for literally their entire existence built houses, its only when humans came around that they stopped doing it because we did it for them.
Obviously you have no idea at how cunning a cat can be.
For their small stature they can roally piss any off big time if the slave…..i mean owner dosent do their bidd… you know what i mean.
OP cats are great pet to have, not as needy but need a bit of care and please do a vet checkup yearly and give them good quality food.
Simple rule of thumb is from the vet i go to 'good dental means a healthy cat'
Now its a lot more then that but feed them well and they will love it.
72 downvotes! GOD I'M POPULAR! ;)
Unless you do something silly & get yourself a Bengal… Not all cats/breeds are the same.
What's the difference with the bengals?
Bengals have a bad reputation, which mainly stems from people thinking they're cute and getting one without doing any research. Siberian huskies are probably a good comparison.
If you find a good breeder and understand what you're getting yourself into, bengals can be great. They're energetic, playful, intelligent, very curious, affectionate, and will be happy to walk on a leash. However, they need LOTS of stimulation and attention otherwise they'll turn into destructive and aggressive nightmares. People buy them without understanding the breed and then blame the cat for its bad behaviour. They're probably the most dog-like cat breed and need to be treated as such.
I walk my cat and have taken her to the beach on a leash. She loves it.
Ah I didn't know cats love water :)
Most don't. Some are strange.
@jasong that's cute
I can take my cat Zoe for a walk around the block but have never tried a leash. She usually stays pretty close but does love to explore and sniff new smells
What would you recommend for a leash?
Start with fish or bird to see if they can look after it.
@Euphemistic good point , I have tried that but they insists either cat or a dog.
It's a good thing you are the parent then and make the decision.
I can't overstate how valuable the advice that Euphemistic is giving you here.
I'll add;
Without a rant, I implore you to think of any potential pet not as a pet but as another member of your family. Unless you are prepared to act accordingly (vet bills/training/bonding/genuine love and care), please for the love and respect of that animal, wait until your children have at least displayed the ability to care for a low maintenance animal/ temporary foster cat or dog. Otherwise, IMHO, you should only be adopting a cat/dog because you want to do so, without any consideration of your children.
This approach works for me.
@Jawanzar:
I started off with a Bonsai tree… it died shortly, and now I'm considering a pet child human : \
@Kangal: Plants can be harder than animals, because you don't know there's anything wrong with them until they're dead. Animals require you to watch them, but they will generally let you know when they want something.
Cockatoos are cool.
Low maintenance and live forever.
And I bet they just love living their whole life in a tiny cage!
When mine is not out the front in his favourite tree talking to his friends,he is inside in or on his large unlocked cage.
But poo everywhere even when flying .
I have learnt from Reddit that Cockatoos are the devil incarnate.
I'm not sure where you got that information from, no bird is low maintenance (I own 2 cockatiels). They're extremely messy and need constant entertainment otherwise they can get destructive and self harm. They also get really lonely.
I love my birds and they are worth every ounce of effort, but they are harder work than a dog in my opinion.
Had mine for 34 years.
Throws his junk on the floor. Just sweep it up.
Cage is easy to clean. Meh.
Has a thing for chewing up thongs and styrene foam if he is wandering around outside.
Weeds the lawn but. Doesn't eat grubs. Yech!
I am his entertainment :)
Loves bopping along and whistling to music.
Listening to him talking to the children from his tree constantly brings a smile to my face.
Funniest pet ever at times. Has kids rolling on the ground until they can no longer laugh.
@Dave Id: I'm definitely not saying they are the best pets ever, because I adore my boys. I'm just saying they aren't low maintenance.
As for entertainment, not everyone is home all day (I'm not), so the boys need toys rotated and some foraging set up which is time and money!
Your boy sounds fabulous <3 I love birds.
@dogboy: They are intelligent, dexterous, and seed eaters. They will get bored and chew things open.
First thing in the morning my bloke is talked with and patted.Bit of head nuzzling,etc
Water changed.Peach tin which is replaced weekly.
Two seed tins topped up a bit.Tuna tins.Aldi of course :)
He gets weeds as greens and loves fresh seeds in the warmer months.
Grow some sunflowers and corn for him.
Clip the odd small branch off his "bottlebrush" tree.
Loves ripping up cardboard,so the odd six pack packaging,hic.
He can only throw any large toys out the open cage door.Gets quite funny.
Likes destroying bottle tops.Will drop one out of the cage,if someone is there to pick it up.His version of "fetch".
Big chain padlocked inside the cage.Swing,fulcrum,etc.
Loves to get on top of his cage and play catch and throw with a ball of newspaper.He mozzes/fakes throws.Tricky.
He's just a lotta fun :)
Always been treated as a human being.
Currently chilling out 15 feet up his tree,waiting for primary school to finish.
You're not parenting properly…
How about a Guinea Pig? A cat and moreso a dog are very big commitments and not to be taken lightly.
I would think a bird is a quite a bit of maintenance, and yes as a (native) bird lover I'm not really a fan of pet birds stuck in cages - if they're not, then goes back to it needing a lot of work with training and causing mess around the house. And guess who will be cleaning it up?
Depending on your neighborhood (e.g. feral cats) my folks bought me a pair of quails once. Just the normal cheap ones from Vic Market. For an out of the box idea (and no, nowhere near as loud as chickens might be, ala roosters). But sadly we lost ours over time to cats and apparently ravens too because quite literally I did mean out of the box as we let them just roam out back garden during the day.
Birds are a huge amount of maintenance. More than any dog I have owned!
Fish is a bad idea in my opinion. They are very easy to get killed if you don't look after them. Plus, as kids they'd generally wanna interact with the pets. Can't do much besides feeding them (and this is why they die). Relative to dogs or cats, they are much cheaper and less of a commitment though since they can be bought and sold easily. I think it's a great hobby though, very rewarding.
I reckon a bunny or guinea pig would be better.
+1 for bunny (if they're allowed in your state). Very low maintenance and you still get the interaction feeding them etc. Kids loved it.
I suggest with guinea pigs. They are fluffy, needs a minor cleaning. it helps to train kids to understand what it takes to look after pet and own one. Slow moving to larger animal that needs more attention.
Some cats are more independent than other breeds, but if you have to choose between dog or cat; get a Cat. They are easier to look after, clean after themselves, doesn't need much affection and can be fun at home. Though just be careful that some cats sheds a lot more fur than other breed - so grooming is indeed something to look at. Another note is that cats fur is a type of allergen, as long as your kids is OK with them then it's fine.
I like dogs, cats are stupid and lazy.
And if the cat got out at night time they will bring back dead animals to your house.
You have obviously never looked after a cat properly and you just seem to have contradicted yourself. You say cats are stupid and lazy yet they seem to be clever and energetic enough to catch and kill animals and bring them back into the house. I've owned 7 cats, at various times, with my partner and they are neither lazy nor stupid. If you keep them inside at night, which is what is recommended, they rarely bring back dead animals. However, the bigger problem is if they bring back live ones and you have to deal with them.
Argee cats are not stupid. But it makes them that more harder to train.
Training animals usually relies on finding something that motivates them to do something. The motivation for dogs is usually easier to determine than for cats. Our cats drag their toys around the house and drop them at our feet to play with them, it is not much different to a dog returning their ball so play can continue. Unfortunately our cats can be very clever - they have the ability to assess a situation and work out what they want from it. We have put up mesh in our front entrance way to allow the girls to look out on the street but be kept safe on the inside. We need to allow a flap to let the postie deliver the letters but the girls have found a way to get past the flap and get onto the outside world. We've had to get them back inside a couple of times - everytime we block one hole they seem to find another.
@apple2016 Ah I didn't know this
If you live on a farm a cat bringing back dead animals is fantastic! We had a great mouser once and it would catch 3 to 4 mice a day during March, much less during the rest of the year. A cat killing them is much better than laying poison and risking other animals eating the poison and dying (possums, dogs, etc.). This cat would kill about 1 bird to 70 mice as birds were significantly harder for it to catch. You would feel a bit sorry for the birds but it's just nature. This cat would kill about 4 or 5 birds a year but that was nothing because you'd find around 50 dead birds every winter that had died of exposure or starvation and they were just the ones you found- a carcass doesn't last long normally. Overall, one cat killing a few birds isn't a big deal. That said, I understand that the density of cats in a city can have a significant impact on bird life and you should lock them up.
We had another cat before that one and it couldn't catch any mice or birds. I think hunting is something that the cat's mother has to teach them for them to be good at it- trial and error is too inefficient.
If you get a dog. Study the breed especially if its a puppy. Eg ,Inside or outside dog, cost/type of food, socialisation etc. We found it easier raising a child then a puppy haha.
All dogs live inside
No they don't.
Tell that to a Maremma or Himalayan Sheepdog.
Sure, if you own a wind up little toy yappy dog.
Agree if your considering getting a dog, try and take note of the breed as it more or less determines how active the dogs are. A very active dog cooped inndoors isn't good for everyone. If you feel your kids isn't prepared to give walks or attention everyday, get a low maintenance dog that's happy to laze the whole day.
Why not a trusty Tamagotchi?
A cat unless you have a lot of time and attention for it
Dogs need training and exercise + a good diet (not that cats don't)
Although if it's solely for your kids, any animal runs the risk of just fading into the background and not receiving attention by kids (imo especially a cat)
We have both. The cat is a lot easier to look after compare to our dog. The cat 'bed-hops' between the kids' beds at night…the kids love it.
This is sweet :)
2 cats, 2 dogs, same situation. Someone always has a animal.
Which brand, Ford or Holden?
…Ford is a dumpster dog, and Holden is a lion cat ?
Get a cat - cheaper to procure, cheaper to feed, cheaper to entertain / exercise and I believe that most breeds live longer than dogs. Dogs are fantastic, they're expensive, they're a lot of fun, you need to exercise them (rain, hail or shine), they do more damage to the garden, they cost more to wash, they cost more to feed and they don't live as long.
If you get a cat, keep them indoors 100%. Otherwise at night they'll kill everything in a 100m radius of the house until they're ultimately hit by a car crossing the road. Keep them indoors - the price you'll pay for that though is having a kitty litter tray indoors which can be a pain (alternative of course is picking up dog shit by hand).
Get a cat from the RSPCA or one of the many other cat shelters around Australia, you won't regret it.
Dog Shit is invisible———————————————until you walk in it.
@boo hoo - Haha good point
We got our cat from RSPCA and absolutely adore her. We're looking at getting another friend for her so she's not alone while we're at work. Cat's are seriously easy to look after and are really loyal too
Neither - get something which is less work and less of a commitment. Fish, bird?
A fish is heaps of work if you don't have a good tank. Cleaning tanks and replacing the water and getting tha balance right is a pain in the ass. Plus they smell as bads as cats sometimes (the tank that is).
If you're sure the kids have the commitment and time to show a dog, get a dog. Yes they take up a lot of time, but they're the best thing in the world, way better than people.
If you're kids are going to get bored and ignore it, get a cat, cats are a-holes anyhow and see being ignored as a show of affection.
Eneloops, only have to put them in the charger.
Not serious of course, but are you sure, like Euphemistic suggests, that your kids are ready for the responsibility of a cat or dog? Or will you, a non-pet lover, end up doing all the work?
Or they could just cut out the electricity and get this wonderfully rare $25,000 pet rock: https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Very-Rare-Pet-Rock-Charlie-…
Soft Close Toilet Seat
@bdi Aldi ?
It depends on what the kids expect to get out of the pet. Start with the characteristics
If you want something that will get the kids out of the house and running around the park then get them a dog. However, the downside is that you will need to exercise them, even when the weather is foul, you will have to pick up the crap, whereas cats will dig it into your garden and they need a lot more attention than a cat.
Cats are pretty self sufficient, so you can leave them overnight as long as they have plenty of water and food (We usually leave out a couple of bowls of dry food), ours interact with us a lot and love games with feathers on sticks. If you are going to make it strictly indoors you probably want a decent size cat climbing tree to act as a scratching post and to give it a high spot to survey its kingdom. You will also need to give them a tray and clean it regularly (a cat tray in a kennel on a balcony, with a cat door, is a good compromise for that. We have an enclosed courtyard garden so ours can't get out onto the street.
Whatever you get make sure the kids understand the pet is not a toy and can get hurt and may scratch or bite if it feels threatened. Make sure they understand "gentle" everytime they touch it - particularly when it is young. It is very important to socialise whatever animal you get so it feels secure, safe and part of the family. If you get a dog take it to training school.
I know this guy who grew up in a "difficult" household so they never had pets, and he never identified as a pet person; however, once he got the dog "for the kids" he became the biggest pet person I knew. Just sayin'.
Dogs are part of the family, cats think they own the place.
Cats do own the place.
cats have servants, dog have masters…
Get the a Tamagochi?
I think like the general consensus, depends on what you want and can handle. If you're not a pet person a cat will be the easiest to handle.
Although kittens are awesome, it would probably be best to get an adult rescue cat, then you can interact with them initially and see their temperament and how cuddly they are. I always found kittens attitudes tend to change until they get to adults. IMO safer option to rminimise/never getting cat scratches.
I have two cats and two dogs, the cats are definitely easier to handle.
pick me!!! pick me!!!
@BuyoTheCat Sure if you are cute I'll pick you
Hey. This aint pet tinder. pick me because of my personality not looks please.
Start small, get a guinea pig :) I have fond memories of the 36 I had…
@lainey13 hmm not bad idea
If you do end up with a guinea pig or rabbit, make sure to get a pair of the same gender preferably from the same litter.
That said, keep them outdoors in a carry-hutch and they'll mow your backyard for you.
If you're considering a guinea pig, i'd like to suggest a rabbit. Every rabbit has a different personality so you don't know what you will get till you actually get it. But, just like cats, they take to the litter tray pretty much immediately. You can keep them indoors and outdoors. No need to bathe them-they bathe themselves. They don't stink either. They are very cheap to keep. You can give them leftover veggies and fruits but mainly they eat grass and hay.
My rabbit can be like a cat sometimes where he waits at the door for you because he wants to go outside, then when you open the door he'll decide to change his mind. Or he'll climb onto the fence and lay there staring at neighbours, or lay on the windowsill. They can also be dog-like in the sense that you can train them to understand worded commands. They are also very social and super quiet. Not to mention, down right adorable looking.
I have heard stories of rabbits eating things they shouldn't and dying, or getting scared like fireworks, thunder and cats and end up dying. But I've never experienced that myself. Vet bills are also a fraction of a dogs. But, also if you do keep them inside, you have to watch out for your appliances. They don't like hanging wires and will chew.
I also don't know how your kids would fair with a rabbit. You need to know how to handle bunnies properly. Handling them like a puppy will get you scratched and kicked and possibly bitten. My rabbit tends to play by himself more than with people. He has his own toys that he's fond of. He takes good care of his things, but i think he did chew through his first cat tunnel and is now treasuring his 2nd one. He does play with my dog a little bit, but he prefers to play alone. I think it's just a personality thing.
Guinea pigs are a trap btw, they are super high maintenance, and loud. And you HAVE to keep them in pairs. But they might not get along and hurt or possibly kill the other. But, if you do your research properly and know what you are in for. They are kinda nice to have. Very cute looking… and there's a range of personalities too. No vaccinations required either.
Be prepared for a 8-10 year commitment if you get a rabbit, and don't expect that you can just leave it in a hutch all day long either.
Given the only reason you want a pet is because the kids do and they'll likely lose interest after a few months, get something like a cat
Can't recall what our dogs cost over the years when we had them, but our bunny's first year of vet bills came to $916 (half of that being treatment for molar spurs). Should be cheaper this year though, as long as he doesn't have any significant accidents or need further dental treatment. Unfortunately, you can't get pet insurance for bunnies.
@Jabba the Hutt:
My first year of vet bills is only $135. But its only for the every 6 month vaccinations and general vet consultations.
Yeah, theres no pet insurance for rabbits but I dont know anyone with pet insurance anyway, ive been told that for dogs at least, pet insurance isnt worth it.
Let the kids decide? Oh you didn't like that. No point getting any of them because having one is a commitment. Paying for one is just the beginning to a whole lot more chores/costs/headaches. They don't come with Medicare. Healthcare for them could get horrendously expensive as they grow old if they suffer any health issues. Even cremation for them after they're dead isn't cheap. Try organise boarding for peak holiday season while you go somewhere gets annoying if you don't plan ahead not to mention the costs.
As much as I love my dogs, I think I'm done with them when my last one goes.
Porqué no los dos?