There are enormous differences between keeping a dog or cat as a pet. Getting it right can bring great joy, while getting it wrong can, in worst-case scenarios, create life-changing stress.
As to which is better, the answer depends partly on personal preferences but also on your life circumstances: where you live, how busy your job is, how much of your time you want to devote to your pet, and so on. Once you understand the different demands and experiences of owning a dog or cat, it becomes easier to judge which pet is a better choice for you.
The first factor to consider is how much time and effort you can invest in your pet’s life.
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Do dogs make good pets?
Dogs, descended from wolves, are sociable pack animals and crave attention and play, especially when young. For many people, this is the main reason for having a dog: to provide loyal affection and endless interaction that improves with training and age. For others, a dog’s seemingly endless energy and ‘neediness’ are irritating.
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Dogs are high maintenance, and need extensive training to shape their behaviour around people and other animals. They also need more space than cats, as well as daily walks to burn off energy, and regular trips outside to pee and poo. Some dog breeds, such as whippets, are happy being left alone for long periods, but it is unfair to leave a dog for an entire working day. The explosion in working from home since the Covid pandemic has been a boon for many aspiring dog owners.
Do cats make good pets?
Cats, on the other hand, are descended from lone hunters, and are largely independent. Though they can be affectionate and learn routines, they do not respond to training in the same way as dogs. Cats are far more self-sufficient, and take care of their own bodily functions, using litter trays or burying their poo in the garden. (Unfortunately, many owners find out where their cat has been defecating only when the neighbours call round to complain.) However, many cats, given the freedom to roam outside, kill huge numbers of reptiles, birds, mice and other small mammals, which is unpleasant to witness and devastating for biodiversity.
On the plus side, cats tend to groom themselves, whereas dogs need more intervention to look after their coat, teeth and feet. In general, cats smell less than dogs, too.
What's the better pet: dog or cat?
Cats are generally quieter than dogs. Yes, cats can yowl unpleasantly at night, but a dog’s bark is typically between 80 and 90 decibels; prolonged barking can cause stress, loss of sleep and even hearing loss. Excessive dog barking is one of the biggest reasons neighbours fall out, sparking a 43% increase in complaints since the pandemic, according to house-sale company We Buy Any Home.
It’s easy to generalise about cat and dog behaviour, but there’s huge variation between breeds. Though cats display diverse colouring and patterning, dog breeds come in a wider range of shapes, sizes and temperaments. Living with a great Dane has a far greater impact than cohabiting with a Jack Russell. That said, a badly trained small dog will cause more problems than its well-behaved larger cousin.
Another key factor is health and longevity. Cats tend to live longer and stay healthier than dogs, especially when it comes to wear and tear on joints and cartilage. Dogs are descended from long-distance athletes, and a life of running and jumping can result in painful arthritis, which can be a major problem in popular breeds such as labrador retrievers and German shepherds.
Though this isn’t necessarily a deciding factor, it can be heartbreaking dealing with long-term pet ailments and death. Vet bills are never cheap, and can be significantly higher for dogs over their lifespans when you take into account microchipping (for identification), flea and worming treatments, insurance and health check-ups.
So your decision over whether a dog or cat makes the best pet comes down to personal choice, lifestyle and fully understanding your daily responsibilities to your pet. Britain is said to be a nation of animal lovers, but there are hundreds of animal shelters across the country full of abandoned cats and dogs – testament to the badly informed pet choices made by so many people.
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Top image credit: Getty
