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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Can I learn to love dogs instead of cats?

64 replies

yellowDahlia · 13/02/2018 17:21

I think I'm really a cat person at heart, and have grown up with cats although I have always been fond of dogs.

Unfortunately for me DH is NOT a cat person at all and refuses to entertain the idea. And so it looks like if we're ever to have a household pet, I will need to get my head around the dog idea.

I've read enough threads on here to know about the realities of getting any dog, and I'm aware of all the things to consider and prepare for if we finally make the decision to have one. But it helps me to have an idea of how this could work - so are there breeds out there which are sort of like having a cat?? ie small-ish, fairly cuddly, clean, will play but also sleep? Or is it mad to make the comparison?!

Also remind me of the benefits of having a dog in your home? The reason I'd like a household pet - cat or dog - is because I do believe in the health benefits - mental and physical - for us and the DDs and I suppose I'm concerned if we don't do this fairly soon the kids might miss out on the joy of having a pet as they grow up. (They're currently 11 and 7) We have chickens but they're not exactly cuddly and rubbish at chasing a ball...

We're a way off doing this btw - but it's been going round and round my head all day and DH is crap at hypothetical planning - so I feel like I need some help from the MN massive!

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 18/02/2018 01:16

Rabbits have got cracking wee personalities and yes you can litter train them... they’re more work than a cat though, they’re actually fairly full on pets and fairly unlikely to be cuddly (though you get the odd one that is)

Alonglongway · 18/02/2018 01:39

Another vote for cavapoo here. we have a 2 yr old cavapoo and 2 cats and he's very like them in his behaviour. Barely sheds

RickOShay · 18/02/2018 08:00

Tricky situation. Tempted to say get 2 dogs so you don’t feel as bad when you leave them
Joking!! what would dh do if a cat just somehow arrived?

thethoughtfox · 18/02/2018 08:17

Dogs are like children in terms of how much time and attention they need. Cats are pretty self-contained. They are not interchangeable.

Original poster

yellowDahlia · 18/02/2018 09:56

Agree thoughtfox I have been thinking back to yesterday with our friends who have the dog and also have a cat. Dog was great and walk was good and when we went back to theirs the dog sort of pottered about nearby flitting between grown ups and kids. The cat arrived mid-evening, stayed for a quick scratch and ear rub, purred, and then went off again. See I respect that! And I like that life can continue more or less as normal with the addition of a cat. But everything seems to change with a dog!

I will look into the house rabbit thing...weirdly DH does have a thing for rabbits with big floppy ears!

OP posts:

ilovesprouts · 18/02/2018 09:58

i have 2 dogs one cat guess who's the boss .... it's the cat 😀

Can I learn to love dogs instead of cats?

ilovesprouts · 18/02/2018 10:00

cats the boss in my house

JunkRevolution · 18/02/2018 10:09

Another vote here for greyhounds. Get one from a good rescue - I can vouch for Greyhound Gap. They will know the hound's personality and help you choose the right one for your family. Plus they will give you lots of follow-up support if needed.

Namechange101110 · 18/02/2018 10:39

DH wants a dog because cats will shed and destroy things? Has he met dogs? I've known dogs to do all kinds of damage, up to structural

I love dogs, so much better craic than cats. If they were human you'd go to the pub with the dog and have a great time. The cat might come but would probably stand you up and you could put money on it being a bit of dick while you were there.

WeAllHaveWings · 18/02/2018 14:15

I e never had a Rabbit, but believe they are closer to dogs than cats, They are very sociable and it is strongly recommended to have a companion for them (either a 2nd rabbit or guinea pig).

Cerseilannisterinthesnow · 18/02/2018 14:39

I don’t Think it’s very fair to expect you to come round to dogs either if you’re a cat person.

I know my DH would have a dog if he could but he knows I’m not a dog or a cat lover to be honest and has never tried to push me into getting one as he knows I’d be miserable.

As above poster said I find dogs too needy and too tying plus I am in no way inclined to pick up another animals warm poo.

I work in the community and the most irritating thing is people dogs who jump all over you and lick you and are in at everything, peoples cats are just as bad though jumping on your knees etc

Yokohamajojo · 19/02/2018 10:06

I have a cat-like dog

Also grew up with cats but my husband is allergic to them so it wasn't an option. We've always wanted a pet so a dog we got when the time was right! I am seriously amazed at how I have taken to him, and how similar to a cat he is! he loves to snuggle, loves belly rubs, curls up like a cat and is not too needy (One thing I was worried about after meeting friend's dogs) Best thing we ever did!

Original poster

yellowDahlia · 19/02/2018 11:43

Yoko that's lovely that you're so happy with your dog - what kind have you got?

My mind has been really rather preoccupied with this all weekend - I think because I feel like I still haven't 'solved the problem'. But I don't think I will 'solve' it anytime soon. And when I get really down about it I worry that DH might even renege on the dog thing ... to clarify, it's not that he wants a dog right now - more that if he had to choose he would rather have a dog at some unknown point in the future, when the time is right (whenever that is...)

It's a bad combination of me being impatient, overthinking things, wanting a new challenge, wanting a pet for the kids, but having a DH who dislikes change and most animals!

It's been nice to chat on here though and think it through... I have hope that perhaps in a couple more years or so our circumstances might be right for a pup or a rescue dog. What I definitely don't want to do is have a dog (or cat ) at the wrong time when we can't really commit properly so I will have to work on being patient.

OP posts:

Shakeyitoff · 19/02/2018 22:59

Please don’t recommend a guinea pig as a companion to a rabbit. They’re not compatible on many levels. As an example, My aunt knew someone who put their guinea pig in with a rabbit and it got torn to shreds. Died. They also have different dietary requirements, rabbits tend to need mesh on the base of their runs to avoid them burrowing their way out and guinea pigs can easily trap a foot and snap their legs. Guinea pigs need to ideally be kept indoors. Guinea pigs are more fragile and even if friends with a rabbit a misplaced kick of excitement from a rabbit can injure them. Rabbits also harbour a bacteria that can be lethal to piggies. Lecture over
I hear Afghan hounds are very cat like but that’s a lot of brushing! Whippets and greyhounds are known as 40mph couch potatoes. As long as they have secure space for a good run they’re fairly undemanding and spend a lot of their time asleep.

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