28/06/2022
Should I Get a Cat or Dog?
We're a nation of pet lovers, and rightly so! Cats and dogs offer unconditional love, affection and friendship, as well as a host of therapeutic benefits, such as improved general health and wellbeing - after all, who doesn't like a cuddle from a furry friend at the end of a long day?
Choosing between getting a cat or dog can be a tough decision, but generally speaking, dogs require more attention while cats are more independent. But if you like to have a cuddle with your furry friend - and not just when it suits your cat, then perhaps a dog is the right choice for you.
Pet owners have lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure and are less likely to suffer from stress, depression and anxiety. A study by the US Department of Health has even shown that owning a pet significantly improves the chances of surviving a heart attack, while a UK study found that people who own a pet deal with stress and loss better than those that don't. So owning a pet is good for more than just cuddles!
Dog and kitten in grass
The most popular mammalian pets in the UK are cats and dogs, and we're evenly split when it comes to favourites: an estimated 20% of UK households own cats and 21% own dogs.
Cats and dogs have different needs and characteristics, so this decision is influenced as much by the type of lifestyle you have as it is your personal favourite. It's less about 'dog vs cat' and more about which animal would best suit your lifestyle, taking into account your activity levels, the space you have at home, whether you have children or not, and how much time you can give to a pet.
Of course, this decision can be made even harder by the sheer variety of breeds available. Owning a Chihuahua, for example, is very different to owning a Great Dane! Not sure which breed would suit you? Browse through our Dog Breed Library or Cat Breed Library for more information on the different breeds of cats and dogs, or perhaps consider adopting a crossbreed or mixed breed of dog, or a moggy (crossbred) cat from a rescue shelter.
Cats and dogs have different needs and characteristics, so this decision is influenced as much by the type of lifestyle you have as it is a personal favourite.
