What Was Your First Pet?
By lilkitty15
@lilkitty15 (115)
May 12, 2008 3:59am CST
My fiance and I are planning to get a pet together. I'm more of a Dog person, whereas he's more for cat's. Either way we want them from a young age, and we'll be having both eventually, but we're not sure which to get first. What was your first pet you had responsibility for when you left home? And which do you think is the better first pet - cat's or dogs?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@meiteoh (416)
• Switzerland
12 May 08
I have had dogs (at least two at one time) all my life, as well as fish, and guinea pigs...so the following is just what I think...
My advice is if you want to get a dog, be prepared for a lot of work. Dogs, especially puppies, are NOT easy to care for - they require a lot of attention, training and maintenance. Sure, if trained well, they'll guard your house and be great companions...but a lot of owners I come across only want some animal to play with - they can't be bothered about instilling some good old fashioned obedience and rules into the animal.
Puppies need to be housebroken, trained to heel and follow the basic commands as well as socialized with other dogs and other people. They'll start off chewing shoes and etc, which will require you to be firm. Medical bills can go up the roof with vaccinations and what-nots.
Then there is the question of a long haired or short haired. Long haired dogs require more maintenance and some species are more susceptible to skin problems and allergies, requiring expensive changes to diet and shampoos.
You'll need to consider boarding options should you and your partner need to go away for a while - kennel and boarding can be expensive in some areas.
If you and your fiance will be busy most of the days, leaving your puppy alone, then frankly, I think you should stick with a cat. Cats do better alone compared to dogs which are pack animals, and are a little more independent compared to dogs which you'll have to provide food and water as well as clean up after them because you can't exactly let them loose to dig up rubbish bins.
I don't mean to be a wetblanket but I'm very tired of seeing people adopt a puppy and then ditch it along the street or wherever because the puppy grew up OR it became too hard to care for.
If you feel that you're up for the challenge of adopting a dog, then I'll guarantee that you'll be in for a GREAT ride! :)
@bjcyrix (6901)
• Philippines
12 May 08
Well, maybe you are right that dogs needs a lot of work. The difference in our culture is that we dont let the dog in the house. The girl one we did because she needs more care especially when menstruating. The recent one has his own room. Actually its the garage. He was born right there and when he was still a bit small, we let him in the house. when he got a bit bigger, he's in the garage. He doesnt have a cage because we dont like to cage our pets. We just leash him at night otherwise he will wake up half the neighborhood because the other dogs will bark at him. All of the people in the neighborhood knows him by name because the subdivision is his huge playground. He's actually a bit spoiled. doesnt eat plain bread and prefers his soup without anything else. He's a good guard dog too since he knows the neighborhood. If he knows that the person at the gate has not been in the house yet, he will bark. He has complete vaccinations and we pay P100($2.50) dollars yearly for the booster shots. Thats about it. when he needs to poop and he's leashed we unleash him then he runs out the gate to his favorite 'restroom', dont know where that is but its somewhere in the neighborhood then he comes back home. We just let him out all day to play, walk, run, whatever but we leash him at night. He has his own freedom to stay home in the day or frolick around. WE dont leave him alone for more than 24 hours and most of the time at least one person at home.
@lilkitty15 (115)
•
12 May 08
We've both had dogs, but he's also got a cat. I grew up with our family dog, and took most of the responsibility. It's not a decision I would take lightly, and I certainly wouldn't be getting one if I didn't think we could take care of it. We've both had family pets previously, so it's not so much as we don't know the kinda work they take (believe me i know lol) but it's more that we're unsure which to have first. I will be at home most of the day, so we know who will be there to take care of it. Just not sure on which would make a better, first family pet together. Thank you for the input though :D
@meiteoh (416)
• Switzerland
12 May 08
Lil, if you like, you can get a puppy and then introduce him/her to a cat. I'd recommend getting females as they are easier to control and have a better temperament (in general) compared to males. Getting them neutered would help with the menstruation woes.
My dogs ALL don't like cats (coz they were strays) so I couldn't really have a cat. I can't have any pets now either coz hubby wants to travel and a pet puts a damper on things. If I could choose, I'd opt for either a cocker spaniel or a British shorthair cat. :)
I'm envious of those who can have pets...
Btw, sorry if my opinions were "strong" - this is something that I'm passionate about, that's all. :)
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
12 May 08
My first pet after I moved out was aquarium fish. Then I got a lovebird, shortly after a guinea pig and last year my first dog.
I think both cats and dogs can be great as a first pet, but they both come with their pros and cons. Dogs depend on people way more than cats do, so if you have a demanding job with long working hours then definately go for a cat. Dogs should never ever be left alone for more than 6 hours a day (as an adult, puppies much much less time than that) unless a dogsitter can come in and take the dog for a walk or you can look into doggie daycare.
