want to get a pet

tigs78

Forget the dog - get a cat or even two!

I have never had a dog so can't comment on dog ownership...

I would highly recommend getting a cat instead, as mentioned before there are lots of older cats who are looking for a good home so please consider an older cat. If you are set on getting a kitten then why not get two? They will provide hours of entertainment guaranteed, and also it will be nice for the kitten to have company for when you are not in.

Cats overall require less commitment than a dog but they will still need lots of love and attention. Purebreed cats are in my opinion bred purely for looks and I often find them quite arrogant looking. I highly recommend getting a moggie, they come in black & white, colour, stripey or plain!

I have a stripey one and I love her to bits, she is SO affectionate and has a great cat personality, I have had her since she was a tiny kitten along with her now departed brother. She is allowed out but only in my garden as its 'cat proof' - at least it is to her as she is 18 now and there is no way she could get over the fence! I would not be happy with her being allowed to roam free, although for the first 15 years of her life she has been allowed to go where she pleases but since moving to a house with a secure garden I am much happier knowing that she is safe from harm.


I vote cat x 2!

hollydays

If you decide on a particular breed,get a list from kennel club or cat equivalent and discuss the breed with the breeder-they will tell you all their traits and foibles,and how much exercise they need.

ka7e

I have 1 dog, a 12-year old pedigree choc Labrador, she was definately bred for looks not brains! She moults twice a year, you would not believe the amount of hair she sheds (luckily she enjoys being hoovered!).
And 4 cats, 3 female moggies - all with different personalities ranging from the aloof-don't-touch-me to the if-you-stay-still-I'll-sit-on-you. Cat no.4 rules the roost. He is a 9 month-old pedigree Maine Coon (he had a health problem at birth that has now resolved, so he was free) and when fully grown will be the size of a small dog. Males can be up to 20lbs, females slightly smaller. This breed has a personality all it's own. They are very people orientated, very inquisitive and like to be included in everyday life. Mine loves helping wrap presents - sticky tape + crackly wrapping paper = bliss. A dripping tap will fascinate him for hours and he's not adverse to sitting in the sink while the water slowly rises around him. Recent snow has been much enjoyed and he's happy to sit out in the rain (oooh lots of dripping taps, all at once!). The breed is semi-long haired and does moult but he's amenable to being groomed, a brush and comb every couple of days. A dunk in the sink if he gets very muddy!
He's a total wuss and will not fight the other cats (although he wrestles with his "sister" of the same age) which is a good thing given his size. Maine Coons make a lovely noise like a "chirrup" when they greet you - mine has a pitifully tiny meow. He's great company, somewhere between a dog and cat in size and personality and I'm afraid my OH has put his name down for another kitten! He'd have a houseful of them if he could.

mr218

thanks for all your mails. i particularly enjoyed the dumb blonde comment. until then i heard only loving comments on GRs. That mail has put things in perspective. Not sure i can cope with all the copious hair shedding. I am from india and when i grew up most people regarded animals as pretty dirty and not to kept inside the home. a view reinforced by looking at stray mongrels living in the streets. over the years a few more (mainly rich) people have started keeping pedigree dogs because they can afford the food and space for them. So all the smelling and hair shedding will probably get on my nerves

I still have a bit of squeamishness regarding a dog slobbering over my kitchen surfaces and plates. I also get periodically horrified to see people kissing their dogs in the mouth and in one episode of 'its me or the dog' this mother and daughter duo feeding this manic yorkie from their own forks. so i cannot live like that. I know in india people manage to train their dogs so that they do not enter certain areas like kitchen or bedrooms. i was hoping that is possible.

But after a few years of living here and seeing people loving dogs as a part of their family, i started to see the more positive aspects of dog ownership. I love watching crufts and seeing fine specimens. After thinking about it for nearly a year, i think i am ready to get a dog because i want one for companionship and cuddling.

I know i must sound contradictory here but i really like dogs. My husband is dutch and is free from all my preconceptions. but he loves cats and his brother has a couple of cats and we love being with the cats when we go there. however, he is slowly coming around to the idea of keeping a dog. last year he was staying with a friend in the states and they had a cardigan corgi. he thought it was a super animal. hence we are considering that breed as well.

Suffice to say i am a bit muddled now but it looks more likely that we will go for a cat. because i get the impression that it is less work and is more independent than a dog. also as far as looks are concerned even normal cats look beautiful and full of personality. My husband adores cats and i think we will be going down that route. thanks for all your comments.

jackiegibbo

mr218 wrote:

hi

i hope i can get some good advice here. My DH and I are considering getting a pet. I am partial to dogs as i would love to take them walking etc. My DH would prefer a cat.

We live in a semi-detached 3 bed house with a decent garden. We would like to get either a young puppy or young kitten and not go for an older pet.

I have been looking at breeds and we like two - golden retriever (they look gorgeous) and a cardigan corgi (small dog with all the big dog virtues). Any comments on the choice and suitability for a novice owner who prefers not too noisy, sweet tempered and easily manageable dogs.

We have looked at cats as well and the burmese cat seems like a cat we would love. any experiences with these cats. from what i have read they must not be allowed out as they cannot cope on their own. is that true.

basically i am looking for some advice on what would be a good pet as neither of us have ever had pets and are looking for a gentle baptism.

Also, where do i buy them for a reasonable price. I would of course go for good breeders rather than unscrupulous ones.

hello there, i hope you dont mind me replying to your message about pets, i have a very large dog and a big fat cat who bullys the dog. We have had the cat for 10 yrs from a kitten and the dog came to us via my sister in laws friend who didnt have time to look after him. The dog came on boxing day last year(actually the one before sorry) he is 3 yrs old and is a big soppy thing who goes from the couch to the bottom of our bed throughout the day. Occasionally he tries to play with the cat but shes having none of it.We actually went to the dogs house and saw him in his own environment and fell in love straight away. For some reason hes never interested in his own food until you have finished yours!!! but with his huge brown eyes its difficult not to leave him a little leftover at the end. To begin with the cat wasnt at all impressed but now they actually sleep in the same room (usually when its freezing because my cat hates the cold!). There are some rescue charitys who foster pets out to peoples houses until they get there own place and i think its better to see a pet in a relaxed environment if possible

hollydays

Just remembered-got my dog from a rescue-told us a load of claptrap about him getting on well witrh cats and other dogs-twas rubbish!

MrsTinks

Well put it this way... A cat you can get someone to come and feed when you are away. It doesn't need long walks etc, they can just change it's litter tray. If you go away you have to probably kennel the dog and TRUST me that is NOT cheap!!!!

Word of warning about cats... they too shed! I have 2 black ones and a cream house and I do a LOT of hoovering and cleaning to keep it cream! Then we have the black pawprint syndrome... In the bath tub, dining table etc. Be prepared to spend time and effort training the cat to not jump up on surfaces in the kitchen and decide early on if you are happy sharing your bed wiht the cat... once they believe they have a right to sleep there then it's bloody difficult telling them otherwise...
Then you have vet bills... £1500 is what I ended up paying out afterone of mine were hit by a car... Pet insurance is a must! Sit down and think carefully about whether you can actually realisticly afford this... Oh yeah and annual jabs, worming and flea treating not to mention toys and bedding and litter trays and litter...

Please don't get me wrong I love my cats and I think everyone should have pets! But I don't want you to go and get one and then end up realising you can't keep it... It can be heartbreaking!

WestieFan

I love dogs and am just living for my retirement when I am getting two of them!

At the moment, we have a cat (kids wanted dog but we are out all day).

Although it doesnt have to be taken out, it makes a right mess with hair all over the place wherever its been (doesnt like being brushed). Also, the stink from the litter tray :eek: (which is cleaned every day, incidentally) but just after she has 'gone'............ wow!

I hate the hairs and fur all over the place so............ when I eventually get my dogs I am going for Lhaso Apso (sp?). They are kinda miniature bearded collies and don't cast hair!

They are very friendly and fun wee dogs and I am looking forward to spending my retirement with two of them. (and hopefully, a house by the sea, a villa in spain and a toyboy!)

Good luck!

Sue1973

Hi

If you are thinking about cats, check out this website:

https://www.catchat.org

It is a registered charity that hosts pictures of availabe rescue cats on behalf of most UK shelters. That's how we found our two boys in January, and I wouldn't be without them now!!

vansboy

The bit I don't like about pets, is when they die.

This is where my 2 German Sheperds are buried & where I'll get another - if I'm ever able to bring myself to do it.

http://www.hularescue.org

Been years without, now...

VB