• HOME: BLOG
  • About GW
  • Work With Us
  • Press
  • Contact GW
 
  • Dog Treat Recipes
  • All About Golden Retrievers
  • Dog Travel
    • Dog-Friendly Cars
  • SHOP
You are here: Home / Archives for CATS

Cat VS Dog: Which Pet is the Best Pet For You?

October 10, 2020
3 Comments

Cats and dogs offer us unconditional love and friendship, as well as several therapeutic benefits. It doesn’t matter if you are a child or an elderly person, pets will contribute to your general health and wellbeing – after all, who doesn’t like to come home to a furry friend at the end of the day?

Cats and dogs have different needs and characteristics, so choosing between a cat or a dog should be a well-though-out decision. When choosing between these species you should consider your lifestyle as much as which animal is your personal favorite. In fact it’s not about “cat vs dog” but about which pet will best suit your lifestyle, taking into account your daily routines, the space you have at home, how much time you can spend with him, and whether you have children or not.

cat vs dog - Which pet is best for you

Cat VS Dog
Which Pet is the Best Pet For You?

Our pal Rosa Silva from Cat Lady Confidential shared some factors to consider on the cat vs. dog dilemma to help you answer the question, “Which is the best pet for you?” Rosa Silva is the author of Cat vs Dog: the pet diaries, a funny book for pet lovers of all ages. Her book is available at Amazon.

Cat VS Dogs Book

Living With A Dog

Dogs are pack animals. Every dog is hardwired with this pack instinct, which makes them social and friendly, as well as happy to belong to a family. This pack mentality makes them want to be involved in all aspects of your life, much more than cats. They make great companions, who will follow you everywhere you go. Their desire to please also makes them more persuadable to obeying your commands.

Dogs follow their pack wherever they go, which makes them more open to travel or moving. On the other hand, this pack mentality also makes it hard for dogs to be left alone, because they crave closeness and attention.

Dogs also need more care. If get home late home from work, you will need to walk the dog whether it is raining or snowing. Walks should be something you look forward to. If walks sound like a chore, then maybe a dog isn’t the best option for you.

Dogs also require attention and play time. When you get home from work, you’ll need to spend some time playing with your dog, which can be exhausting, especially if he’s a lively puppy.

Living With A Cat

By contrast, cats are not pack animals, so they do not have an innate need to please you. Cats in the wild are solitary nocturnal hunters that have their own hunting territory. For domestic cats, these instincts make them much more independent than dogs. This independence may make them seem distant. They usually sleep during most of the day and like to roam the house at night. Domestic cats may also be prone to marking their territory by spraying outside their litter box, especially before getting spayed or neutered. This territoriality makes even small changes like rearranging the furniture a source of stress.

A cat will not need as much care as a dog, however he will require some grooming, such as nail trims, as well as periodic brushing. His litter box will need to be scooped every day, and the litter needs to be changed periodically. But because a cat is more independent, he can be left alone for longer periods of time. If you go on a vacation for a few days, your cat can get by with someone feeding and checking up on your cat twice a day.

This independence does not mean your cat will always be distant. He will approach you for affection when he wants to be petted and stroked. He will also probably love to curl up with you on the couch at night. Play time is also something you should provide him, but the effort will be less tiring for you because he will do all the running and jumping.

Cat VS Dogs: Which Pet is the Best Pet For You?

Lifestyle

When choosing a pet, you should also take into consideration your lifestyle. If you are the active, outdoorsy type, then a dog may be the right choice for you, because you can play with him outside. If you do choose a dog you also need to be prepared to walk him every day, even if it is raining or snowing.

You also need to consider not only your habits and preferences, but also your family’s preferences. Choosing a dog or cat should be a family decision. Regarding your family, you should also take into consideration whether you have children. If you have children under seven years old, you should be aware that experts say children should be between seven and nine years old before getting a dog, because dogs may not tolerate the behaviors of children, or they may even hurt children accidentally during play.

Other issue to take into consideration is that having a pet usually means cleaning up hair. Some dogs and cats shed more than others, but they all do shed to an extent. Some dog breeds also drool a lot, which will mean something more to clean up. You need to consider how neat you are and how ready you are to clean after your pet.

Living Conditions

Dogs are much more active and need more space compared to cats. If you are an outdoorsy person and can take your dog on walks or if you have a backyard where he can run around, then a dog can be a good fit for you. However, if you live in a small apartment maybe a cat is a better choice. Cats get their exercise through play, which they can do inside the house by playing with toys and climbing cat trees. Because of this, cats do not usually need as much area to roam around. Cats are definitively best suited for indoor living.

Training

When comparing cat versus dog training, dogs are certainly the easier of the two to train. The dog’s pack mentality makes him willing to follow a leader, which makes him usually more obedient by nature. Dog training is typically a process of teaching and reinforcing commands that help communicate your desires to your dog. If you want to influence the way your dog behaves, you need to reward behaviors you like and make sure behaviors you don’t like aren’t rewarded.

Cats can be trained, but not as easily as dogs. Their independent and willful nature will make it difficult. With cats, it’s best to focus training on establishing boundaries, rather than training behaviors. However, when it comes to house training, cats have the advantage over dogs. Cats use the litter box instinctively. Dogs, on the other hand, can be a lot tougher to potty train.

Food and Eating Habits

Cats and dogs eating habits are very different. Dogs will eat larger sized meals in one go, usually one or two times a day. Cats are usually smaller and will eat much less but will have more meals per day.

Cost

When choosing a pet, cost is something you need to take into consideration. Both cats and dogs will need food, toys, veterinarian care, and eventually daycare and training classes. Overall, dogs tend to cost more than cats. And the bigger the dog, the more food he will eat.

Which Is the Best Pet For You?

Besides taking into consideration all aspects mentioned above, before choosing to adopt a cat or a dog, it’s also important you do some research on your choice of pet before taking him to his forever home. You may consider dog or cat sitting for a friend to see if you prefer the company of one over another. Also, you should spend some time at your local shelter before you decide to adopt. Most times it’s not about the species or breed, but about the bond you form with a specific animal. No matter which species you choose to adopt, you will surely bring home a forever friend.


Filed Under: Book Review, CATS
3 Comments

Happy International Cat Day

August 8, 2018

Did you know? According to ASPCA, there are about 85.8 million cats are owned in the United States. Happy International Cat Day!

International Cat Day

Cat’s motto: No matter what you’ve done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it! 


Filed Under: CATS

Must Watch CAT Reality Show Keeping up with the Kattarshians

February 25, 2017

Once again the CATS Rule the Internet! A new CAT Reality Show titled Keeping up with the Kattarshians features kittens living in an oversized dollhouse.

Keeping up with the Kattarshians

CAT Reality Show Keeping up with the Kattarshians

Keeping up with the Kattarshians is shot with GoPro cameras and is streamed live 24 hours a day from Icelandic broadcaster Nutiminn. The cat reality show was created with The Icelandic Cat Protection Society.

Viewers can follow four kittens that are available for adoption. Most of the kittens stay in the dollhouse for three to four weeks until they get adopted.

Many cat lovers (pet lovers) are hooked on watching CAT Reality Show Keeping up with the Kattarshians.


Filed Under: CATS

Doodle Art Alley Coloring Book All You Need is Love and A Cat

January 28, 2017

Coloring books are no longer for just children. Adult coloring books are becoming a favorite and popular stress-relieving activity. “All You Need is Love and A Cat” was “doodled” by Samantha Snyder, a former elementary teacher, from her Doodle Art Alley coloring books.

Doodle Art Alley Coloring Book All You Need is Love and A Cat

Golden Woofs was provided a copy of Doodle Art Alley Books, coloring book volume 12. Golden Woofs only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.

Doodle Art Alley Coloring Book All You Need is Love and A Cat

If you love cats, you will love coloring Doodle Art Alley Books, coloring book volume 12. This coloring book consists of 50 adorable cat doodles with sweet inspiring quotes, proverbs, and sayings. Some of my favorites are:

No matter what you’ve done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it. – Cat’s Motto

If stretching were wealth, the cat would be rich. – African Proverb

The cat always leaves her mark upon her friend. – Spanish Proverb

No matter how much the cats fight there always seem to be plenty of kittens. – Abraham Lincoln

I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat. – Edgar Allan Poe

If you stared deep into a cat’s eyes, you would be able to see into the world of spirits. – English Proverb

To eer is human, to purr is feline. – Robert Byrne

Doodle Art Alley Coloring Book All You Need is Love and A Cat

Samantha Snyder drawings are playful and fun. Each coloring page will provide you plenty of enjoyment and relaxation. Be creative and get your copy of Doodle Art Alley Books: All You Need is Love and A Cat coloring book volume 12 on Amazon. Visit www.doodle-art-alley.com for hundreds of exciting doodles including free coloring pages and doodle activity pages. Stay informed about the latest Doodle Art Alley Books news on their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Love to color? Love cats? Join the giveaway tool to win a copy of Doodle Art Alley Books: All You Need is Love and A Cat coloring book.

Entry-Form


Filed Under: Book Review, CATS

Cat Litter Box Tips for a First Time Cat Owner

December 10, 2016

A friend recently participated in an adoption event. She immediately fell in love with a shelter tabby cat named Molly. As a first cat owner, the shelter provided her all the necessary information to care for Molly and taught her some cat litter box etiquette.

Odor Control Cat Litter Box Tips for a First Time Cat Owner

This sponsored post is a partnership with Nakturnal. I am being compensated to share our friend’s experience as a first-time cat owner, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.

After a week with Molly, our friend still has questions, especially about cat litter. I immediately contacted Winston’s mom, SUGAR’s bff Chicago cat. Winston’s mom offered three cat litter tips.

3 Cat Litter TIPS

3 Cat Litter Box Tips

Cat Litter Box

1. There are many cat litter boxes on the market. For a first-time cat owner, it can be confusing. There are four things to consider when purchasing a litter box:
a) Purchase an appropriate size to accommodate your cat; your cat should not feel cramped.
b) Consider a shape that your cat can hop in and out easily.
c) For odor control cat litter, many cat owners prefer a covered litter but your cat may not.
d) Litter box (plastic) liners may seem like a convenient way to keep the litter box cleaner but may annoy your cat; cat’s claws + plastic liner = holes.

Cat Litter

2. Just like litter boxes, there are many kinds of cat litter on the market. Your preference might not be to your cat’s liking. There are three things you need to consider for purchasing the best odor control cat litter:
a) Litter Texture: Most cats prefer a fine-textured litter; it’s softer on their paws.
b) Scented or Odorless Cat Litter: Cats have an extremely keen sense of smell so many can be put off by scented litters.

Wag.com, an online pet supply,  suggested a “test drive” scent when choosing a scented litter – “Buy several brands, and put them out side by side to see which option your cat chooses.” 

d) Amount of Cat Litter – Place the appropriate amount of cat litter in the box. Cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter.

Happy CAT Odor Control Cat Litter
Keep Your Cat Happy, Clean and Reduce Cat Litter Box Odor!

Odor Control Cat Litter Box

3. Litter box odor can be avoided by cleaning your cat’s litter. Clumping litter must be cleaned at least once a day. Many high-quality odor-free cat litter only requires twice a week cleaning. It is recommended on a monthly basis to wash your cat’s litter box. Also, from petmd.com,“To keep the smell to a minimum after cleaning, add some litter to replace what you removed while cleaning and sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into the litter before using the litter scoop to turn the freshened litter.”

After several weeks, our friend informed us that Molly is doing well and has adjusted to her home. Molly has finally mastered her cat litter.

If you are a cat owner, please share more tips about cat litter box.


Filed Under: CATS Tagged With: CAT

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Golden Woofs : Sugar The Golden Retriever BlogWoofs! Golden Hello to our Blog!

SEARCH Golden Woofs

Your Resource for All Things Golden Retrievers

all about Golden Retrievers

Join our Subscriber List

PRESS/Featured In

PRESS_Featured-In-Golden-Woofs-2021

Books

e-book Available on Amazon Kindle
Sugar's Furry Friend
dog treat book Cooking For SUGAR Available on Amazon.com

Are You Pet Prepared?

Hills Pet Pet-Prepared-Pet-Emergency-Plan

Dog Friendly Car Rides

KB Dog Friendly Car Rides

Golden Meow

cat vs dog - Which pet is best for you

Golden Retriever Resources /Adoption

Morris Animal Foundation

Golden Woofs Archives

Private Policy
Contact GW
HOME

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Affiliate Diclosure

sugarthegoldenretriever.com blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for our site to earn advertising fees and affiliate commissions by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Our site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Written permission is required to reproduce any images or words in either partial form or its entirety.

Copyright © 2008 - 2016 Golden Woofs : Sugar The Golden Retriever

                   © 2016 - 2021 Golden Woofs: Sugar The Golden Retriever