HappyLifestyleJournal
All pets require attention, work, commitment and care, but they also give you lots of love and make your life richer. Some people like cats more than dogs, and some vice versa, but really, who is better – cats or dogs?
Let’s go through some pros and cons of both and make our final verdict!
Dogs
Pros:
1. Give you a sense of security.
One of the main reasons why land owners and field workers kept dogs is to keep the property and them safe. If you have a yard, a dog will bark if it sees a stranger and alarm you about the possible danger. Also, walking with your dog on the street makes you feel safer than walking by yourself, especially at night. Of course, that also depends on the breed of dog – a bigger and scarier looking dog will make you feel safer than, for example, a Chihuahua.
2. You will feel their unconditional love.
Dogs are loving creatures and they tend to get attached to their family and show them unconditional love. If you have ever had a dog you know that it gets so happy when it sees you coming home after a whole day at work that it sometimes can’t hold its bladder and pees itself because of how happy it is. Okay, you don’t want your dog to pee when it sees you, but you will definitely enjoy the love. Dogs enrich your life and it is true when they say – “A dog is a man’s best friend” – it will do anything to protect you and make you happy, as long as you treat it well.
3. Dogs teach you to be more responsible.
Having someone to care about makes you responsible. Dogs require lots of attention – you have to walk it at least once a day, but two or three times would be ideal. You need to remember to feed it and play with it, because they need exercise in order to stay healthy. You have to think about appointments at the vet, grooming etc. It isn’t easy to own a dog, but it is certainly rewarding. Learning to care properly about a dog can prepare you to be more responsible and patient in the future.
4. Dogs are empathetic.
Dogs always know how you feel and when they sense that you’re sad or in a different kind of bad mood, they will try to cheer you up by asking you to play or snuggle with them. Their mood greatly depends on yours, so if you are happy – your dog will be happy, but if you’re sad – so will it be. But dogs can make us feel better even if just by being there and sympathizing.
5. Dogs pee and poop outside of your house.
That is why you have to make time for walking your dog daily. They do everything they need to when you take them out, if you are responsible enough to take them regularly.
Cons:
1. Dogs seek a lot of attention.
Having a dog is similar to having a small child – it depends on you, it wants your attention all the time, and you need to feed it and provide all the essentials. This also means it takes up a lot of your time and energy. If you simply love dogs and have some energy and love to spare, then don’t hesitate and get a dog. However, if your schedule is already super busy and you can’t even manage to find time for yourself, getting a dog might not be such a good idea.
2. Dogs take up a lot of space.
You should know that even small dogs need a lot of space. They have their toys, they need a place to sleep and play, and a place where they can eat and drink water. They tend to occupy your space as well, and often try to sleep in your bed with you instead of their own place. If you like your space and privacy too much to share it with your dog, then consider this before getting one.
3. Dog food can be expensive.
Depending on how large your dog is and will get, you need a certain amount of dog food to feed it. If you want your dog to be healthy, you will buy good foods and those are not cheap, especially if you have a big dog that can eat more than you can in one meal. Also, you will have to spend lots of money on other dog-related items, such as leashes, collars, shampoo, vet appointments, flee drops… If you are in a bad financial situation, this might not work out for you.
4. They have a different concept of time than you do.
Sleeping in on weekends is not possible anymore, once you get a dog. Dogs know when it is time for their food, sleep and walk, and if you forget something in that schedule they will be sure to remind you. So if your dog is used to you walking it before going to work on weekdays, it will surely wake you up early on weekends, when you could sleep in and relax a bit. If you are not a patient person, this may frustrate you and make you nervous.
5. You need to carry a bag to pick up your dog’s poop from the street.
When you take your dog for a walk it pees and poops and it is your responsibility to pick the poop up and not leave a mess behind. If you are not planning to do so, spare yourself the trouble and don’t get a dog.
