Should I Get a Cat or a Dog?

Pets — By 88DB Knowledge on June 5, 2012 5:08 pm

“So, are you a dog person or a cat person?”

It’s the age-old question that’s been thrown at every one of us. As over-used as it is as a conversation starter, you have to admit it’s a question worth looking into – especially if you’re thinking of owning one yourself!

However, it’s a particularly tough decision to make for those who are generally animal lovers – meaning you have no preference and you just have a soft spot for ALL things fluffy and cute, no matter whether it barks or meows.

In this case, the cat versus dog debate isn’t so much about which animal is better or smarter (because there really is no such thing), but rather which animal suits its owner and his or her lifestyle and personality best to ensure an everlasting friendship between Man and pet!

So how do you get a perfect match and which should you really get? It’s as simple as understanding what to expect for each animal and what is required of you as a potential pet owner.

CATS

Needs

Food & Diet

Cat Eating

Contrary to popular belief, cats have special dietary requirements that cannot be found in home cooked food. “They are obligate carnivores with a digestive system catered to digest protein, not vegetables,” explains Dr Girisha Lakhiani, Senior Veterinarian of Mount Pleasant Veterinary Centre.

Essentially, cats need two types of amino acids when it comes to food – taurine and arginine. Without these amino-acids, they are more susceptible to suffer from heart and eye problems.

These felines can be picky eaters at times, so expect to switch brands every once in a while or alternate between dry food and canned food until you find something your cat really likes.

Also, you must avoid overfeeding them and don’t get into the habit of leaving food out all day. Unless you know you’re not going to be able to come home until late at night, it’s strongly recommended that you open that can of cat tuna for them only when it’s feeding time.

Grooming

Cats can be a bit challenging to groom but are relatively easy to maintain in this aspect. They may get a little feisty at the groomer’s (or even around you if you choose the D.I.Y. path), but it’s in their nature to clean themselves constantly. Therefore there really isn’t a need to visit the groomer’s that often; unless you’re considering getting a long-haired breed such as a Persian or a Ragdoll, which are slightly more high maintenance than short-haired breeds, or are afraid of trimming your kitty’s claws on your own.

Other than hair care, you may have to take your cat to the groomer’s if it’s pregnant to shave the fur away from its private area. “This is to make labour easier and much less messy, so do take the gender of the cat into consideration before making your decision,” says Pet Groomer of Pets in Wonderland, Ada Goh, who has 12 years of experience under her belt.

Medical

Felines require three kitten vaccinations, each a month apart. Deworming needs to be carried out every two weeks till it reaches the age of three months, and then monthly till six months and then once every three months.

As for flea prevention, it’s recommended but optional. Sterilisation on the other hand is highly recommended in both males and females. “This is to prevent spraying and unwanted pregnancies as well as reducing uterine infections and risks of mammary tumours,” explains Dr Lakhiani.

Microchipping is not compulsory but if your cat is likely to be roaming around outdoors as well, it’s recommended. However, you should take note that increasingly, there are campaigns urging cat owners to be more responsible by keeping their cats indoors. Check out Cat Welfare Society’s Responsible Cat Ownership campaign to find out more.

Cats are quite a challenge when it comes to medication and hospitalisation (e.g. syringe feeding, needles, oral medication). They are also more sensitive to environmental changes such as noise and often, they will not eat in the hospital even when they are hungry.

Another important point to note is that cats mask their diseased conditions well, often showing signs very late, thus making them harder to treat. Although they can usually be difficult to treat, cats are known to heal faster than dogs.

Costs

cat cost

Food & Diet: Average of $0.90 per day

Grooming: Depends on the breed: between $80–$100 per session (monthly grooming isn’t really required)

Medical: $400–$500 in first year alone for kittens (required procedures and inoculations including flea prevention and deworming); and an average of $200 yearly (annual vaccinations, flea treatment and deworming)

DOGS

Needs

Food & Diet

eating dogs

One of the biggest issues you must expect to deal with for dogs is their skin. Because of Singapore’s tropical weather, dogs here face more skin problems than the canine population in say, Canada or Russia. Fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 can help deal with skin problems effectively so make sure these are incorporated into your dog’s diet.

Other essential nutrients include DHA to aid in brain development (especially for puppies) and L-Carnitine, which helps transform fat into energy – something that’s crucial when battling the doggie bulge!

As with cats, note that overfeeding dogs isn’t a good idea. Ideally, you should use a measuring cup when it comes to meals. Also, don’t give in to the temptation of feeding them “human food”, like milk (buy a dog-formulated one instead), grapes and especially chocolate, as it’s extremely poisonous to them.

As for homemade treats, not to say there’s anything wrong with them, but according to Daphne Tan, Marketing Executive of established local pet product distributor KC & Watson (FE), owners have to understand their pet’s diet, needs and conditions before making them homemade treats.

“They have to read through all the paperwork and documents from the pet store or adoption centre, if not, the ingredients in the homemade treat may trigger issues like skin problems,” reiterates Daphne.

Grooming

dog grooming

Grooming – which includes services such as brushing, claw and dental care – is one of the most important aspects for dogs. It’s a matter of beautifying the animal and keeping it clean and free from health problems.

Revisiting the point of Singapore’s climate worsening the effects of canine skin problems, it only reinforces the importance of grooming as it deals with ticks and fleas, matted hair (fur that is clumped together and “tangled”), and so on.

Often times, pet owners fail to understand the fact that the quality of the tools of grooming, whether it’s the brush type of shampoo brand, plays a huge part in the process. Be prepared to spend time, effort and money to groom your dog, preferably once a month.

“Those who wish to get a pet dog must also know that as an owner, they need to understand the breed completely. They need to study, do their own research and ask questions when purchasing or adopting the dog, because when you understand them, you will know how to provide the best care possible for them,” stresses Ada.

Ada also points out that many potential dog owners are unaware that female dogs are trickier to handle for grooming, especially when they are in heat; and that’s every six months. There are always ways to prevent this (such as neutering), but of course, it’s worth mentioning that gender should be a part of your decision process.

Medical

Dog Checkup

Some basic medical procedures that are essential for a dog include vaccinations and deworming. “A puppy needs three vaccinations, each a month apart and deworming ideally every two weeks till the age of three months, then monthly till six months and then every three monthly for life,” states Dr Lakhiani.

Other medical procedures that are strongly recommended also include heartworm prevention, monthly tick prevention and sterilisation – which brings many great canine health benefits such as lowered risk of breast tumours. Additionally, it’s now a requirement by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to microchip dogs in Singapore.

Also, note that the bigger the dog, the higher the medical and hospitalisation costs.

Costs

dog cost

Food & Diet: Average of $1.20 per day
Grooming: Depends on the breed: full grooming for a Toy Poodle for example, average of $300 a month; for a Husky, average of $600 a month
Medical: Depends on the size of the dog: $700–$1000 in first year alone for puppies (vaccinations, deworming, monthly tick prevention, sterilization and microchipping); and an average of $300–$500 yearly after the first year

The Big Question: Which is For You…?

Dogs and cats make very different pets. Some expectations vary greatly (grooming requirements are one very good example), but some things remain the same, no matter which animal you plan to get (balanced diet, no overfeeding, higher medical costs for an unwell pet, etc).

However, the bottom line is that dogs do require a lot more attention compared to cats. Dogs are naturally more active and needy, while cats lead a more independent lifestyle. Dogs are also costlier to keep as pets, in comparison to cats.

So if you’re someone who has a lot of free time to spare, consider getting a dog. A cat’s better if you’re a little busier; you’d appreciate the cat’s ability of being able to clean up after itself. But do not take this for granted and think this means you can neglect your pet cat! A pet is still a pet no matter what and if you want to bring an animal into your life, you must understand that being a responsible pet owner is part and parcel of the whole process.

Budget and lifestyle issues aside, other factors should also affect your decision making process, such as the environment (is your home a HDB flat, is there an outdoor area, how much space is there), kids in the picture (some breeds are tolerant of young children, but some are not so), other animals in the house, and so on.

It shouldn’t be a rash decision on your part, so take time to consider ALL factors and don’t be afraid to ask questions every step of the way, whether it’s directed at friends, family, the pet store, or most importantly, yourself and your own capabilities!

For all your pet-related needs and queries, check these places out!

Pets in Wonderland
KC & Watson (FE) Pte Ltd
Poodle Doodle
Dog Avenue

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