Question to Cat and Dog owners....what's Best for Them ???

The other box mentioned sounds pretty neat, but I'd also recommend the Clever Cat litter box. It is like a big storage bin with a hole cut in the top and has been the best I've had for less tracking of litter throughout the house since no matter how much they scratch in there, it doesn't go flying and the top has a grate to catch from their feet as they leave it.

We have 3 dogs. We are not a cat family. I don't like cats getting on cabinets. etc

As far as food, we go Hills Science Diet and like it. We do all the routine shots and grooming. Pricey but we are a dog loving family..... 2 Cockers, 1 toy poodle.

I have only ever used dry food with the cat's and dog's that I have had in the past. Barring a special treat, of course. One cat box is enough. If I could offer one word of advice.....Just get ONE animal for now. Dog or cat. Then give it a few months or a year before you get the next one. Also, there is a big difference between a CAT and a KITTEN. I'm sure you realize that, but people who haven't had them before (or in a while) kind of don't know or forget.

I know nothing about cats, but dogs are my thing. We prefer dry food. Our previously vet always tried to get us to buy the expensive foods they sell. We changed vets and the drs in this practice say they are many good foods you can find at Walmart, Petco and Petsmart and that he was just trying to make a buck. Most of those foods they recommend for dogs with allergies and issues, etc. Stay away from the really cheap brands, say ol' roy from Walmart because the cheaper the more "fillers" they use. We usually use Purina One. Our younger dog (1 year) we feed 3 times a day. Our larger, older dog we feed twice a day. We started that when we both worked and she just got used to eating in morning and after work. Although she usually only eats once a day. Have a place or area, cage, crate laundry room when the dog will stay if they have to be left when no one is home. Make sure to dog/puppy proof it, just like you would for kids so they don't get into stuff. Puppies especially are nosey.

Before you adopt this dog you need to make sure that it's good with cats and children or you could be potentially setting yourself up for a lot of headaches (example- the dog nips at your child OR the cat and dog don't get along and your family has to choose which to keep etc). Children make some dogs nervous because they move quickly so be sure to test him out with the kids before you take him home. Some dogs/cats get along very well with other species and others just naturally do not so be careful which pet you choose so that you're creating as little stress for your family as well for your new furry family members.

It's a good idea to take your new pets to a vet within the first 48 hrs after adopting them to not only assure that they are healthy and vaccinated, but also to establish yourself with a veterinary care facility in case you need to take them for a medical issue later on. It's best to take dogs/cats to the vet yearly for an exam and vaccinations and you should plan to spay/neuter them if they are not altered before you adopt them. Please make sure that you prepare for the ongoing financial costs associated with a lifetime of pet care. Many people are honestly not aware of how much it costs to own a pet so if you have any concerns about that, it's a good idea to call a few local vets for pricing estimates and even just walk through a pet store to see the cost of pet food, cat litter, toys, grooming supplies, etc.

Dogs and cats can be fed once or twice a day but I would recommend twice a day so they're not begging for food between meals. In general it's not a good idea to leave out a full dish of food because it can lead to overeating and an overweight pet. As far as pet foods, you should go with a name brand such as Iams, Purina, Eukanuba, Science Diet etc. Don't get a store brand and in particular for the cat food, make sure the ash content is low. Dry food is best for both dogs and cats to prevent dental buildup. (Wet food tends to sit on teeth and can cause tooth decay and bad breath.) Canned food and treats should be given only once in a while. You don't want to get in the habit of feeding your pets treats everyday just as you wouldn't feed your child cake or cookies every day. :)

Cat litters vary so it's tough to say what will work best for you. I used to buy Tidy Cat clumping litter when I had a cat because it was easily scoopable but if you intend to clean the pan daily, then non scoopable kinds are less costly. If you have dust allergies, a recycled newspaper type or cedar pellets might be better.

Sorry this is so long ~I've been a veterinary technician for 9 yrs so I had to add my two cents. I hope this helps to get you started! Best wishes with your new pets! :)

We adopted out cat and dog as kitten and puppy...so they met when they were both young and would play together. As they grew they were fine with each other, mostly ignored each other but were company to each other when we were not home.

Dry food for everyday is best for their teeth. You feed according to you animals weight...it should be on the bag.

You need to comb your cat to help keep hairballs at a minimum. And dog too if it is a sheds.

We never fed our dog people food at all ever and she NEVER begged at the table. We took her though dog obedience training for about a year...she learned vocal commands and hand signals. It was nice to have a well behaved dog that didn't jump or bark and would sit until you told her to move, etc. Then other people could enjoy her too.

Don't under estimate how much they will depend on each other. When we lost our dog to cancer our cat got sick and stopped eating for 2 weeks...we had to get her an IV and I ended up having to force feed her. After every test in the book our vet determined she was depressed. She just missed her companion.

Our cat is now 12 and out dog would have been 13 last week we still miss her.

I have been working in animal rescue for over 10 years now, and would happy to talk to you in PM if you have further questions. I have fostered dogs, worked in animal shelters and even boarding facilities, and am currently the Volunteer Coordinator for a local animal rescue.

For food, it really depends how much you want to spend on your pets. I use wet food to mark special occasions - it is unnecessary for a daily food. Brands like Walmart or a grocery-store brand tend to be the worst quality foods. Science Diet is also a pretty low food unless your animal has a specific allergy that requires it. Iams and Purina are okay foods, but contain a lot of corn and meat bi-products, which have no nutritional value (a lot like the bread served at a restaurant, it exists only to fill up the animal, not to provide any vitamins). Nutro is a step up from Iams or Purina. Blue Buffalo, and brands like that tend to be top of the line. Don't judge by price though, as that can be misleading; judge by ingredients. A really really good food will be made in the U.S. (to avoid any of the poisons the Chinese factories accidentally have added to the foods), and should contain meat (such as chicken or lamb) as the first and primary ingredient. Anything that lists "chicken meal" or "chicken biproduct" lowers the quality and nutritional value of the food, and corn is also an ingredient that has no nutritional value for a dog or cat. Of course, the top quality is to cook for your pets yourself. I do not do this, and if you did decide to, you would need to speak to a pet nutritionist to make sure that all of your pet's nutritional needs are being met.

It is usually good to feed a dog at least twice a day. Larger dogs that are prone to Bloat may need even more meals. Talk to your vet about risks of Bloat and feeding schedules.

If you are inexperienced with pets, I really recommend you start with one at a time. Puppies and Kittens are often a lot more work than dogs and cats, and if you don't know what you're getting yourself into, you might find yourself overwhelmed with two pets to train. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats (all rescues) and we have built our family up over the years. There is no need to get them together in order to socialize them - if you get a dog, make sure you have a trainer to help you introduce the cat at a later date. Remember that not all dogs (or dog breeds) get along well with cats, and consider that when picking one out.

Good luck.

We adopted our sweet boy too! Good for you! Anyways...we have always been told that dry food is better on a dog's stomach (plus it is cheaper on your wallet), so we use that. We often times just use whatever brand happens to be on sale, but is not just filler (like the generics that most stores sell). We feed our guy twice a day and he is 100% healthy. The people you adopt him/her from will tell you how often they have been feeding the puppy, and how often you should do it too. If your new animals have not had vet care (which I doubt since you are adopting), make sure you take them to the vet. I would also make sure that they (both the cat and dog) are up to date on all shots. Shots, neutering, etc. can add up quickly. Know what they will need. (A really good adoption place will have your pet completely up to date on shots, micro-chipped, and already neutered.) I would also recommend having the dog meet your kids prior to getting him to make sure that there aren't any issues (in your house would be even better).

Good luck...our 3 year old loves "his" dog to pieces and tells that world that Mac is his brother. We do have to watch with how rough he is, but the dog loves him like nothing else.

Well, the food question depends on the animal. We always used dry pet food, unless the animal was sick. Our dog, for example, gets wet dog food when she her back problems act up because it's easier for her to eat. She's a dachschund, so we feed her once a day, otherwise she'd get overweight and her back problems would be worse. Some breeds you can leave food out all the time (we always did with our cats) but other breeds, like ours, if you leave food out all the time, they will eat all the time. I also recommend training classes for your dogs, and maybe getting Ceasar Milan's dog whisperer books.

Good luck with your new pets!

Dogs: PetsMart - name: Blue. First ingredient must be meat, poultry, lamb, etc....NO BYPRODUCTS! Feed your dog twice daily (timed feedings) Stick with dry food. Leave food down 30 minutes. If he does not eat, pick it up and don't feed him anything else until the next feeding. Keep your dog inside. If you get a puppy, be sure to crate him unless you are playing with him, feeding him, training him, etc. You will housetrain him the same way you potty trained your kids ; after eating, after napping, after playing. No food or water after 8PM.

Cats: Try to get a kitten between 8 wks to 6 mos old - unless you can find an older cat that is used to dogs. It will be easier to bond with the dog. Keep your cat indoors - too much danger outside. If you want to put a leash on her to take her outside or if your yard is fenced, she can go out SUPERVISED at ALL TIMES! ! !

please email me at: ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-####. I can't do this on-line .... (not supposed to be on internet).

I have SO much to tell you! (I even have kittens!)

You should really be getting your advice from the vet you plan to use. If you don't have one yet, I know a few good ones in different parts of town - PM me if you're interested.

I only know about dogs. A few things I thought of...

Don't buy dog food that has corn listed as one of the first few ingredients. Corn is just a filler to make them feel full, but doesn't give them the nutrition they need.

We were always told to feed twice a day. Once in the morning, and once in the evening. Talk to your vet about how much to feed the dog, as it depends on it's size.

Also ask your vet about "people foods" that dogs shouldn't eat. Only ones I can think of right now are chocolate and grapes.

You should also find out about your city's license & leash laws.

I'm a cat person... I have had cats my whole life and we always give them dry food, and I leave it out all day. Even at 18, the vets were impressed with how well my cats teeth looked! if you feed your cat wet food, you might want to look into brushing their teeth as well.

I have 2 cats, a 2 story home, and one litterbox. The general rule is 1 box per cat plus 1, but we've been fine with 1 box. When I had 4 cats, I had 2 boxes... I don't have room for more than that.

I HIGHLY recommend Scoop Away cat litter... it works great! When I had 4 cats, people would tell me they couldn't even smell the cats at my house, but when i went over my friends house who had one cat, whatever litter she was using was making me sick.

We are in Plano too. We have 5 cats. All indoors.

We free feed, leave food out 24/7. They get Innova adult cat food from Canine Commisary on Custer and 15th. We do not feed anything else as it's not necessary and we also have one kitty with food alergies.

Litter we us is non clumping Tidy Cat. We buy it on sale at petsmart. My cats hate clumping litter or any other fancy litter. I have tried so many and found tidy the best.

We have two covered litter boxes. We sift one day and change the next. We don't like the petmate brand box. The box we do like was purchased at the Target store at 121 and Custer. I use the rule of thumb of two cats per box although we are not using this method we are changing more often.

The best litter box liners are petsmart brand exqusicat jumbo liners. Pricey but the best.

I have been in rescue for years and volunteered with many orgs. I recommend going to the city of Plano shelter to meet some kitties and puppies. The officers there are very knowledgeable and love animals. I volunteered there and take my one year old daughter there to see the animals all the time.

The officers can help you find the right pair. Just let them know who you are looking for.

Hi, D..

The only advice on food I have is to either get dog food with diatomaceous earth (DE) in it or buy food-grade DE and add it to the food. (I'm not sure if it comes in cat food or not.) You can also sprinkle it around the house inside and out to keep fleas away. It's an all-natural product and will not harm you or your animals. There are several places around which sell it (feed stores tend to have it) and you can google it to learn more about it. You shouldn't even need conventional flea treatments with DE.

As for cat litter, you may want to initially stick with whatever the cat you get is used to (if she will have been litter trained when you get her). Then if you want to change the type of litter you use, you can start adding another type in small amounts until the change-over is complete. Adding in small amounts gets your cat used to the new litter and avoids "accidents". I use World's Best Cat Litter. I like it because it is all-natural and made from corn, clumps and is flushable. It isn't too dusty and doesn't track too much, but tracking really depends on your cat and the track mat you have under the tray.
We also have a 3-storey house with only 1 litter box. It along with her food is on the top floor. We did it this way for the added exercise! Our cat is healthy and happy! No "accidents" either!

Good luck with your pets!

J.

I can't really help you with cat questions because I haven't owned one in years. However, high quality food is of UTMOST importance and dry is best because, in addition to the necessary nutrition, it helps keep tartar build-up at bay! Definitely DO NOT leave food down all the time, as that's how one of our dogs got fat. Getting her weight back down was not easy! We have dog food delivered right to our home! You can get cat products, too. Here's the website: http://naturalpetfooddeliveryfortworth.com. Please be sure to tell them I sent you, should you decide to go that route. They're SUPER-nice people! Don't hesitate to contact me with any other questions. I'm a HUGE dog lover and am happy to help any way I can. Currently, we have a Rottweiler, a German Shephard, and a toy Australian Shephard. We have also had a Keeshond (AWESOME dog), a Husky, and a Rottweiler/German Shephard mix. Clearly, we're big dog people! :) All of our dogs have been/are indoor dogs, much to my husband's chagrin! We have 7-year-old and 13-year-old daughters and we've never had issues between them and the dogs. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Didn't see if anyone else mentioned this, but my vet said to look at the ingredients on any dog food and the first ingredient should be MEAT. Most all low cost pet food have their first ingredient as CORN MEAL or some other filler. Dry food is much better for their teeth and they need to have the rawhide chews to help clean their teeth. I learned the hard way, DO NOT FEED any type of cooked bone to your dog. I knew you weren't supposed to give them chicken bones, but thought that steak bones were good. If they have been cooked then they tend to splinter and cause them problems.

We have a 1.7 year old Golden Retriever and a 5 month old baby.
It's hard to give full attention to the dog now, but we try to keep our golden happy. We buy "Bully Sticks" and he loves it! I have heard that large breed dogs love bully sticks, it keeps them busy and keeps them off from chewing other things. They are quite expensive though, but for our sanity sake, it's worth it. For a pack of 12 sticks it cost $60!!! I have tried to buy them online since they are cheaper, but the ones that I bought on line were very thin and my dog eat it up in less than 1 minute! He eats twice a day, for breakfast and dinner. We also give our dog a Greenie Treat with toothpaste every night at bed time. It's his ritual and also helps with the gums. It's like brushing his teeth. He eats Innova large breed adult dog dry food. It's very expensive, since it's a premium dog food. You don't find this at Petsmart or any of the large mainstream pet stores. You will find it at specialty pet stores. It's pretty costly, I actually think that Innova is the most expensive brand, but it's worth it if you think about the long term benefits for your pets, and also for your pockets. If your pets are fed a good quality diet, they will be more healthy, hence, you won't have to spend so much money down the road in Vet fees and visits.
All our lives, my husband and I had cats. This is our first dog, and let me tell you that it's a lot of work! Cats are so easy to take care of! Since you have two kids, they can help with the feedings and they can play with both the cat and dog. Pets want love and attention. As long as you can provide this, you will be fine.