Dog or cat: Which one do I adopt?
September 12, 2017
Dogs are the animals most chosen by the Spaniards as pets, but cats have gained much popularity.
Dogs need to be given time to walk around and can not be left alone for a weekend. Cats do not need to go outside and can be alone for up to three days. It is essential to take these differences into account before adopting a dog or cat, as well as questioning the time available, whether you are willing to walk a dog every day, accept the cat's peculiarity or fits in the profile of owner of one of these two animals.
It is not easy to choose the animal that will be adopted depending on our lifestyle and expectations. There are those who believe that they can care for a dog and yet the animal that would best adapt to its vital dynamics is a cat. "All the cases in which the adopters do not choose with head to the animal that take home, derive in problems of coexistence," says Arancha Sanz, spokeswoman and lawyer of the Society for the Protection of Animals and Plants of Madrid (SPAP). The outcome is a dog or a cat that returns to the shelter or animal collection center where it was adopted.
If we have doubts between adopting a dog or a cat, it is advisable to reflect on the following aspects.
1. How much time do I have to care for the animal?
If you are a busy person, who has little time or is late home most days and also lives alone, it is not advisable to adopt a dog, but a cat.
A dog needs three daily walks of average duration of 30 minutes each. He can not stay two or three days alone, like a cat. Dogs are social animals that need to interact a lot with their owners: to do activities with them, to feel integrated in the family dynamics and not to be alone too many hours each day
On the contrary, a cat can spend up to three days without its owners, as long as enough food and water are left, as well as a hygienic tray prepared to make their bowel movements.
A cat is not as social as a dog, that is, it is usually more independent and needs its own space. However, Raquel Sierro, president of the Spanish Feline Association (ASFE), explains that "there are dog cats, who need a lot of contact with their owners and are even sticky." This is the case of certain races, like the Siamese, exotic or oriental, in front of others very independent.
"It is not advisable to adopt a dog if there is little time, it is better to live with a cat"
2. Walking the dog every day
One of the reasons to choose a cat as a pet is the fact of not having to take it out. This is assured by Teresa Nin, spokeswoman of the Madrid Felina Association. In their case, they record a monthly average of 25 adopted cats and "there are veterinary clinics - pursued - that have specialized in feline clientele and only attend cats."
A dog needs three daily walks: morning, afternoon and evening. It is advisable that each output lasts about 30 minutes. Conversely, among cats that never leave home, it is common to find traumatic changes in routine, such as changing homes for a few days on vacation.
The felines are very gullible and can not stand leaving their sofa or not being in the favorite corner of their home territory. Dogs are much more sociable and enjoy the excursions and activities outside the domestic sphere, in the company of their owners.
"A dog needs three daily walks of average duration of 30 minutes each"
3. Embedding in the adopter profile of a dog or cat
The profile of dog or cat adopter does not exist, says Teresa Nin. The dog is still the ultimate companion animal, but "almost everyone who lives with a cat at home is pleasantly surprised, even though they have always had a dog," he adds.
On the other hand, in the profile of person who would like to adopt a cat fits someone else with little free time, who spends a lot of time away from home and who likes the character and peculiarities of cats.
In any case, dog or cat, once you choose to adopt one of these two animals, the important thing is to commit to care for them for the rest of their life, make them happy and respect their nature.
Accept the peculiar character of a cat.
If you think you can take care of a cat and adapt to its character, it is recommended that, although not all cats share characteristics, before reporting on certain feline peculiarities such as:
- The cat seeks the contact with its owners whenever it pleases, which does not always coincide with the moments in which they want to caress or put in his lap.
- Cats are very sleepy, like all cats. They sleep for most of the day and there are those who are more active than desirable at night.
- The cat needs and likes to sharpen his nails. In many occasions, it does in the furniture of the house (curtains, sofas, carpets).
- The cat is the king of the house and will make it clear whenever he has an opportunity, so if you choose your reading chair as a place to rest, forget to sit on it.
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