Dogs require more time. Dogs need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. If not, they will learn bad habits such as excessive barking, destructive tendencies, hyperactivity, scratching, or biting. They also need to be taken out a few times a day. This doesn’t mean that you should get a cat if you are at home only to sleep. This would be cruel for your cat, who will need some interaction and care from you, such as fresh water daily and nail and fur care. They are just more low maintenance on a daily basis than dogs. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source

If you prefer a more sedentary lifestyle, think about a small lap dog who is less prone to excessive exercise. This kind of lifestyle is also good for a cat. If you travel from home a lot, you will need to arrange for pet care. If you leave your dog at home, she will need a pet watcher to come to your home at least twice a day to let her out and feed her. However, a cat can go for a day or two without being checked on as long as he has enough food and water available to him. [2] X Research source

Some cats, especially those with long or thick fur, will need regular grooming or a daily brushing. You may pay to have this done, or you may have to take time to do it yourself. [4] X Research source The average cat costs $1035 the first year to own. For dogs, a small dog averages $1314 in the first year and a large dog averages $1843. This includes daily care as well as vaccinations and neuter or spaying. This doesn’t take into account any emergency care. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source

If you live in an apartment, think about a small dog or a cat. In these cases, many landlords will demand an extra deposit to cover any potential damage done to their property by your pet.

If you live with a roommate, you will need to take into consideration their needs and desires about getting a pet. Can they handle a rambunctious puppy, a roaming cat, or a large dog in your home? You have to consider their quality of life when deciding to get a pet. You also need to establish whether the people in your house are willing to help take care of the animal while you are away at work, school, or traveling.

If you don’t have friends with pets, visit the humane society to play with their animals. Nothing is more heartbreaking than having to give up a loved pet because someone in the family has allergies, so always be sure before adopting or buying a pet.

This applies to both species. Some cats need more attention than others. Some dogs are more vocal than others. Some breeds tend to have worse tempers than others. All these details are important if you want to find a pet that will suit you. If you aren’t sure, try the American Kennel Club’s online dog breed selector program or the American Humane Society’s online checklist on cat breed selection. [6] X Research source www. akc. org/find-a-match/#slide1 [7] X Research source www. humanesociety. org/animals/cats/tips/choosing_cat. html

Cat’s can be very temperamental. If you want a pet to hold, pet, and snuggle with all the time whenever you want, you may need to get a small dog. If you want an animal that will snuggle with you and love on you when he wants but not all the time, a cat might work better for you.

If you find one you like, contact the owner or shelter people to let them know you’re interested in the animal. Then, return to the place every day for a few days to spend time with the animal. This will help you both adapt before you take her home. Some shelters and owners will let you take the animal as a foster pet for a while until you become familiar with what she is like and decide you want to keep her.