Cats

Cats live relatively solitary lives in the wild, hunting alone within a marked territory. Females stake off their space and guard it from other females, while males travel from female to female doing what is required before being pushed on. The only times you are likely to see more than one cat are in mother/ kitten units and the brief male/ female interactions. As for the calls of nature, cats are quite fastidious and practically born litter-box trained. They spend most of the time lying still, conserving their energy until the next hunting period. This makes for a pet that is affectionate - but does not mind being left alone - and requires only a moderate amount of care. If you are often away for long periods of time and don't have time for outside exercise, a cat may be the pet for you.

Dogs

Dogs, on the other hand, live a very social life in the wild. They live in groups that eat, sleep, and hunt together. They're almost always on the move, ranging over large territories. This makes for a pet that not only prefers to be with their owners, but in fact will be unhappy and more likely to have behavioral problems if left alone too much. Additionally, dogs require regular exercise and intellectual stimulation. If these factors are lacking, they will find other ways to stimulate themselves that can often be destructive. While dogs can be litter-box trained, it is rarely as easy or as dependable as cats. Therefore, if you are home most of the time, have a large yard and/or other dogs, and can exercise them for at least an hour a day, a dog may be the pet for you.

Things to Remember

The above points are generalizations concerning these prospective species. Individuals can vary quite a bit from the norm (i.e., some cats crave social interactions; some dogs can be staid loners). Even after choosing a species, you still have to decide what breed you prefer or whether you'd be happiest with a mutt. Good luck!

(If you're considering an exotic pet, please click here.)