I have always been a dog person my entire life. Ever since I could talk, I asked for a dog. I have had 3 dogs now in my life but just last week got my very first cat. I am going to tell you what my personal experience was with each in hopes that an inside perspective helps you choose which pet might be a better fit for you and your family.

I got my first dog when I was 7 and we were instantly best friends. Being a kid, I didn't understand the full responsibility of having a dog. I got the reward of playing with her and sleeping with her at night but I had no idea about the expenses. Unfortunately, she passed away and we got another puppy who had separation anxiety, so we had to get a second dog too. I was a bit older then, so I saw how much vet bills added up to be and how often we would buy food for them. Whether you choose a dog or a cat, pets are expensive. At this age, I was in charge of walking the dogs and would frequently have to make time in my day to make sure they were getting exercise. This could be a bit overwhelming sometimes, and some days I wouldn't have time to walk them due to both going to school and work. When getting a dog, be aware of the time you need to put in for them. Not only do they require the proper exercise, but a lot of time needs to be put in for training as well.

When I had my first dog, I joined the 4-H Dog Program and trained her through that. My parents took a lot of responsibility to help train my dog then since I was so young, but when I got my second dog I was the one that trained her. If you have kids or you yourself is younger than 18, I highly recommended getting involved with 4-H. They usually have weekly training and instructors to help you train your dog, but you also create a bond with your dog by doing the training yourself. It is also a great way to meet people and a great resume builder for college applications. I will be later making a blog post about my experience with 4-H so keep an eye out for that!

Overall, dogs are very loyal and always excited to see you. As soon as you walk in the door, it is so easy to feel appreciated and missed. Dogs are also very loyal to their owners. Our first and second dog were both very much my dog, but the third dog (the one we got for our second dog who had separation anxiety) is very attached to my mom. My dog has been there for me through all my rough times and would willingly follow me anywhere or do anything with me. She is easily my best friend.

I have now had a cat for one week. I am in my third year of college and living in a house with four other roommates and was feeling a gap in my life. I took three and a half weeks to find my perfect cat because I wanted a cat that would be very loving. That is not the easiest task because cats tend to be more independent and like to do their own thing. Since having a cat, I realize that they are a bit less expensive than dogs but a lot less effort. Their litter gets changed about twice a week and they can usually be on full feed (meaning their food bowl being filled 24/7) with no problems. This means no scheduled feedings and only needing to refill their water.

You might get a playful kitten or a full-grown cat. It takes time to know your cat, but even after having my cat for a week I know he is way more treat motivated than toy motivated, so I buy him $1 bags of treats which aren't very expensive. You should get a collar with a nametag for your cat in addition to getting a microchip to be able to locate them if they run away. Microchips are also good to get for dogs. When I get home, my cat is excited to see me in his own way. He isn't standing at the door wagging his tail, but he will meow when I pass him. You have to know how your pets are appreciating you in their own ways.

What I will say about a cat, is they are less work. I am not required to take my cat on walks or entertain him during the day. My dog constantly wants to play fetch and get attention, where my cat is good doing his own thing and wandering over randomly when he wants to be pet. I do feel a closer bond with my dog, though. I don't know if it's due to growing up with her and her being there through so much or because I am more of a dog person and love the feeling of love and appreciation I get from my dog showing affection.

If you have a very busy life, a cat might be the best for you. If you have the time it takes to give a dog exercise and properly train it, a dog might be a better fit. If you want the in your face type of love, choose a dog. If you are okay with getting love from a cat on their terms but not your own then that's the way to go. No one will be able to tell you which is better for you, that is your decision!