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Mrs.Johns
member
Cat or dog? Kinda longish
Mrs.Johns
member
DH and I are currently pet free. We both keep wanting a pet but haven't pulled the trigger. I like dogs, but I hate dog poop. I just can't stand the smell of it and I hate when people have poo all over their yard, it really grosses me out. However, I think dogs are fun and I imagine I would love to walk it etc. We also have a fenced in yard so we could put it outside without chaining it up. I like cats too, though I would not want an indoor cat. We live on a street that is off a busy road and I am afraid it will get hit by a car. I also don't want to get a cat that is going to shred my new curtains or my favorite chair (I am in love with the chair in my living room).
The other issue is that my MIL is obsessed with cats. She takes in every stray and I am nervous if we get a cat she's going to be constantly calling us asking us to take them in. My mom told her last year at x-mas dinner that I am allergic (lol) because MIL was relentlessly nagging us to get a cat.
ETA: DH is a huge cat person, he LOVES them. I like how independant they are and that we wouldn't have to rush home the same way we would with a dog.
Anyway.. any thoughts? WWYD? What are the pros and cons of your pets?
Am I just not ready?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Cat or dog? Kinda longish
Personally, I'm a dog person. Love my dog! And he's FANTASTIC with my DD. He lets her do whatever she wants to him...poor him, but it's great to know she won't get hurt because of his lax temperament.
If you've already done the pros and cons, and you're leaning one way over another...I'd go for it. And IMO, it also prepares you for a baby...the "responsibility" of another living thing.
GL!
Sounds like you might not be ready... Animals excrete poop, and it will have to be dealt with. And some people may disagree with me, but please don't get an outdoor cat!
I have 2 dogs and it's an enormous amount of work (and yes I have poop in my yard) but I love them and it's worth it to me, even if I have to pick up 2x dog poop
ETA: If you get an indoor cat, then they're pooping in your house. That's something I can't stand!
My Chart
Well, if you don't want an indoor cat and you live near a busy road I think you have your answer.
Our dog is a much bigger PIA than either of our two cats. You can't leave a dog for a full day, you can't feed a dog without letting it outside (then you have to wait to let it back in). Yeah, walking him is sort of fun, until he poops and you have to carry it in a plastic bag until you find a trashcan. Also, if we didn't already have 2 cats when we got Ruger, he'd be a neurotic mess with extreme anxiety because he hates being alone.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
A cat would be good if you want low maintenance-but like you said, I would be afraid it would get hit if it wasn't an indoor cat.
I can't imagine NOT having my dog. She shows affection, plays, etc. I'm sure some cats are more loving than others, but the ones I had growing up were more independent, leave me alone type.
I would pick dog, but I am totally crazy about mine. I talk to them like they are going to respond. I'm lonely when they aren't not around. (I swear I'm not a total hermit/craazy dog lover like I sound) My dogs are my babies!!
Love & luck to my 3TC girls. Congrats to Omega-The boys are here!
If there's one thing I've learned while waiting my turn,
it's that in each life some rain falls but you also get some sun.
After 2 years & 2 losses, our little man arrived 8-2011.
TTC #1 since September 2008
All tests normal
IUI #1, 1/31 50mg Clomid BFN!
IUI #2, 2/27 50mg Clomid, Ovidrel trigger BFN!
Laporoscopy March 30th- diagnosed with mild very endometriosis
IUI #3, 10/10, 2.5mg Femara BFN!
Hip Surgery 12/10 and forced TTC break
Diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerance 12/10
June: TTC with TI and 2.5 mg Femara
IUI #4 & 5 Summer/Fall 2011 with Femara. BFN
11/11 Diagnosed Compound Heterozygous MTHFR- 7.5 mg Deplin
IVF #1 take 1- cancelled due to cyst
IVF #1 take 2- ER Aug 29, 35 retrieved ET Sept 3- 1 beautiful embryo transfered. 11 frozen embryos (AKA snow babies)
BFP Sept 11, 2012
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Love, luck, and prayers to my BFPB Dr. SnowflakeBride
I lOVE my kitties. Adopting them was the second best thing I ever did. They are so cute and cuddly, the shed all over the furniture but that would be true of a dog too. They have NEVER scratched or destroyed any of my furniture, I guess we trained them well.
The best part is the litter box is in the basement, not seen by anyone else and DH cleans it almost every day so I rarely have to see/smell poop. Also if you get home later than expected there are no big surprises wating for you around the house other than eager kitties to see you and be fed evn though they usually still have food.
Hope it helps!
IVF#3 brought us our miracle baby girl on June 26, 2012
I would probably suggest a cat - lives get busy and cats are pretty independant. You can still go away for a long weekend, leave them food, water and a clean litter box and come back to a house that is intact.
That being said, if you get a kitten - then when you get them spayed/neutered I would suggest getting their front clas taken out if they are to be an indoor cat. It's not a bad thing to do when they're little, but once they get older is very painful for them to have it done. (we have one with claws - he only scratches his scratching post...and one without claws who likes to pretend she has claws)
A dog is a huge time committment, and if you don't have the time, patience etc. to committ, then it's not fair to the dog.
JMO
This is a tough one for me to be partial on because I have an irrational love for dogs (big ones preferably but I do still love the little guys. Just wouldn't get one myself). You definitely have good arguments for both though.
As for the dog poop issue, on walks, I always pick it up right away (while holding my breath). So I never really smell it. And you could train the dog to only use one designated portion of your yard for when he/she is out there. The training thing would definitely require more effort and time up front but it would be just a one time thing.
To me dogs are more affectionate and I love a good cuddle with them. Cats can be too but in my experience it's hit or miss with cats whereas you can always count on it with any dog.
I would not want an outdoor cat for your exact reason. I would spend all my time worrying about something happening to it. I'm not sure about training cats not to scratch your chair and curtains. But I have no experience with it either so maybe it can be done. The nagging MIL thing would definitely be in the con column for cats for me.
Dogs are definitely more responsibility, but you will be having the same responsibilities with a child so to me, that is not an issue.
I'm totally rambling now so I'll cut to the chase. My vote would be for a dog. You can have DH clean up the yard
Thanks so much ladies! All of your opinions really, really help.
We had 2 cats and 2 dogs growing up. DH's mom at one point had 8 indoor cats (yuck. seriously.) and 2 or 3 dogs.
We are just going to have to keep talking about it. It's a big commitment and I want to make sure whichever we decide is fair to the animal. I wouldn't want to leave a dog home alone too much and I wouldn't want to get a cat and have it stuck inside all the time when there are so many squirrels and chipmunks for it to chase!
Animals are a lot of work and it's a big decision to decide what you want. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat and I love it. The cat is indoor and I personally would never have an outdoor cat. Cats are fairly low maintenance but you still need to clean the litter regularly.
The 2 dogs are a lot of work but it is all worth it. If you don't like dog poop it is something you have to get used to... whether you are picking it up from your yard or picking it up along your walk.
Another thing to think about is the extra $ with pets. Vet bills, food, toys, etc. it all adds up and is not cheap.
That is an excellent point. My bro's dog needs knee surgery- $3k!
I told DH if we got a cat we'd get 2. Are your cats indooor or outdoor?
If you do end up getting a pet, I would recommend getting pet insurance. I have VPI pet insurance and we pay around $70 a month so we get reimbursed for lots of our vet bills. The $70 is the total for all 3 animals, the dogs are each $25 and the cat is $20. Just something to look into.
This is horribly inhumane and is a death sentence if they ever got outside by accident. Never ever do this.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I love dogs, and my two dogs are seriously the sunshine in my life. I cannot tell you how many crappy days have dissolved away as soon as I walk in the door and have these two bubbly happy waggy-butted beasts just beside themselves to see me! I thought that at some point I would come home so exhausted that I would not want to have to reciprocate that kind of joy, but it is crazy how everything melts away when I see them. Even if I come in and just collapse, they curl up next to me and lay their heads on me and just sigh, like it is the best thing in the world!
We also have a cat, and when we had no other pets it was great having another being around, but she definitely never gave me the joy or endless affection that the pups do, and she is an abnormally affectionate cat. There are days when I came home and she was so pushy for the kind of affection she wanted from me, and would get mad if I did not give it immediately. There were also days when I just needed companionship and she would not be in the mood so she would hide under the bed. Everything has to be on her terms, but the dogs will do anything to make us happy.
I remember when Daphne got really sick a couple of months ago. She had had an upset stomach for 3 or 4 days but I thought I could handle it at home, and then she started throwing up blood. We took her to the E-vet, and I was so upset because I knew she felt awful, and I felt so guilty and like I let her down, and sitting in the exam room, she was trying to comfort me! She would have rather died than have me be sad.
FYI - a puppy is a HUGE amount of work, and adopting a dog that is a little more mature will be easier! I also have to throw out a plug for adopting a retired racing greyhound! I have had dogs my entire life, and I used to show dogs, so I have experience with every breed out there, and there is something incredibly special about these animals, I will never get another kind of dog again! Also, toy breeds are very very difficult to house train!
You get used to picking up the dog poop... I just hold my breath and look away as I grab it with a plastic bag and then I tie it up and throw it away ASAP. Stand up-wind! I still gag when I clean the litter, I hate the smell of cat pee more than anything in the world!
Everyone's personality is different, and I am just sharing my point of view, some people are cat people, and some people are dog people! DH was a cat person (the cat was his before we met) until we got the dogs, and now he is a total dog person!
I wouldn't do that. I don't think it's fair to the cat.
I agree that it's inhumane, when they're older and their nails have formed fully and aren't soft cartiladge anymore. I know it's a rather contorversial subject, and that if they get out it can be very bad news for them should they get into a scrap with another cat.
It's just what we've always done with our kittens when we've gotten them, since I was little. And I've discussed it with our vets - which is why we didn't get Tiko declawed at 2.5 years old. That would have been horrible for him. Maggie was about 6 weeks when she was declawed.
Thank you
This. I have little dogs (2 of them) and I love them!
Indoor only. They are both declawed in front, so they would never survive on the mean streets. You can't really tell from my picture, but the white one is really fat - about 18 pounds - and slightly bowlegged, so he wouldn't be able to run away from anything.
I am a cat person. I don't mind dogs at all (my husband doesn't like them) and I didn't want one for the yard/dog crap reason.
I love my kitties. They are really fun and they are people-kitties and are playful. The one misconception people have about cats is that they are stand-offish and snotty. While that may be true of some, mine are fully-trained (they sit, come when called, don't rip up furniture and listen when they are told no) and are social cats to the core. They follow us everywhere and are incredibly entertaining. My male cat even fetches!
Anyway, I love cats and they are easy to keep. The one suggestion I would make is that if you are going to get a cat, get two. Aside from the initial vet bill when you get them fixed, having two is SO MUCH BETTER. They can get all their kitty playfulness (wrestling, biting, etc.) out on each other. It's great.
I don't like dogs at all.
I love my cat to death. He is cute and playful and a wonderful snuggle buddy. He has also RUINED all my of furniture. He is constantly clawing EVERYTHING. He also wakes DH and I up at least once a night clawing at something in our bedroom or knocking things off our night stands.
But I wouldn't trade him for the world
I completely agree. You can train a cat to not scratch the furniture and you can clip their nails so they don't scratch anyone. Taking away their claws is a horrible thing to do.
Ditto.
On the declawing subject...I just read this:
https://www.newser.com/story/74282/beverly-hills-la-ban-cat-declawing.html
I think this is great and should be adopted by more places.
(Sorry if it's not clicky, my browser doesn't let me access the post toolbar buttons for some reason!)
Chiming in late, but here are my thoughts: We have 2 cats and a dog, and while I love all of them I have to say if I could only choose one over the other I would choose the cats. They are so much more independent, you pretty much just make sure they have food, water and a clean litterbox. They'll come to you when they want to be cuddled, if they're not in the mood they won't. If you want to leave for a weekend, they're totally fine as long as they have enough food and water to last until you get home.
Our dog on the other hand, needs to be let out several times a day, needs to be exercised, has anxiety attacks when we leave to go ANYWHERE even the mailbox (of course not all dogs do this, we just got lucky, NOT), if we want to go anywhere over the weekend or for longer than just a day we have to either find someone to watch him or have a neighbor come and take care of him.
It all comes down to your lifestyle, if you leave your home often and for significant periods of time, i would not get a dog. If having an outdoor cat concerns you, why not adopt a cat that's been declawed and have it indoors?
I love my dog, she is the light of my life and I can't imagine life without her. I have never really been a dog person, I had a dog until I was about 4 yrs old, but I don't really remember that.
DH really wanted the dog, and I just kind of agreed, so I wouldn't say that I was ready. That is the way that I work though, I just jump into things, ready or not.
I see your point on the independence of cats, but having a dog is not that bad. If you have a fenced in yard, that is awesome. If your dog is sociable, doggy care is not all that expensive and can help you out in a pinch.
If you are looking for a good place to adopt, we got our dog (they have cats there too, if your DH/MIL wins out!) at Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton MA. It is a no-kill shelter. My little Tessie munchkin (2-3 yr old lab mix, junkyard dog) was $250 including all shots and she is fixed. She is amazing, and Baypath is a great cause.
GL with whatever you decide!
BFP 8/18/09 cycle #7
Missed m/c 9/16/09 (7w6d, baby measuring 6w1d)
D&E 9/25/09 at 9w1d
BFP 11/25/09 1st cycle after D&E
DS born @36w2d
~~~Labor Buddy to And Ketch~~~ BFPB to LoveBeingAWife33008
We have two dogs, and they are our BABIES
I would be absolutely lost without them.. They always want your attention, and can always make me smile whenever i'm down or upset. Our dogs are relatively outside, although we do have them inside from time to time. They have learnt to poop only in our back garden, so we don't really have to worry about picking it up all the time (thank god!!)...
I also LOVE cats, and we had a kitten also, until she died early this year... Just as we were about to get another one, a friend mentioned that cats sometimes carry a disease that can affect newborns? I've also read horror stories about affectionate kitties 'suffocating' babies by accident... So we've decided to wait until we're done having babies, and our kiddies are a little bit older before getting another kitten. Don't get me wrong, i'd have another kitten tomorrow, and my family always had cats from when we were babies, but that could help you make a decision?
Have you considered other pets? We also have a parrot, and snakes...