Husky or Kitty?

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I have to work from 8:00 to 6:00 so probably a kitty can manage better staying alone without getting crazy , but damn , huskies as really beautiful and intelligent and gentle

They can take care of themselves and use the litter box. They don't make as much mess as a husky.

A kitty might be a better choice.... jmho.

Bark, scratch, pee on furniture if left in too long. Cats usually just sleep all day.

I love both cats and dogs, but don't feel like I can have a pet because I travel so much (I couldn't ask for someone to watch a cat for a month, you know?). A husky needs a LOT of attention and exercise. I lived in a house for awhile where the next door neighbours had a beautiful husky dog, but they just didn't pay him enough attention. He would get out of the yard during the day and come over to our place. They also like to tear stuff up. When the pup couldn't get out of the yard, he would just whine and whine all day. My girlfriend eventually complained, and the neighbours found him a new home with more room to run around.

You don't have to worry about that with a kitty. They will tear some things up, but not as bad as a dog would. They can also be left alone for a day or two, and it's not the end of the world.

...to keep your mind clear on this decision. ;)

All dogs are pack animals, huskies more so than most. I've always had two, solo huskies are a bit different in character, IMO. It can be done, but let's face it, they need another husky to play at their speed, and you can only do so much.

You're right, they're beautiful, intelligent, gentle dogs. By and large. My rescue pup is a peach to people, and kind of a jerk to most dogs. His older sister alternately ignores him and keeps him in line.

Huskies are work. Period. They need a lot of special considerations -- big yard a plus, fence mandatory, exceptionally good fence recommended. My boy recently took advantage of a half-down sunshade on the kennel -- secure 10x20 concrete pad with 8-foot fence surrounding it, for when I can't watch them in the "regular" yard" -- by scaling the shade like a rope ladder. Found him sitting on the couch inside (dog door) when I came home, looking very smug.

The only other dog with more PSI on their jaw is the mastiff. This means huskies can destroy things you can't imagine, especially when bored. Or when they feel like it. Independent, for sure.

Never had a cat, but I understand they can hang out. :shrug:

Huskies are pack animals. And very active. It wouldn't be fair to a dog like that to leave him alone, all day, if you work 8:00 - 6:00.

no question

Did I mention Kitty?

Kitties are the best creatures in the known universe. :loveya:

on edit: If you do decide to go for a kitty, may I put in a plug for adopting a bonded pair? That way they can keep each other company and play together during those long hours when you are gone. Two kitties really are not much more trouble than one. I mean, you're already putting down the food, changing the water, and scooping the box, so it's not that big of a deal to add another one ...

Good luck! :hi:

It's not fair to the dog if it's left alone most of the time. And at the end of the day, it's about a good match. Cats are much more self-contained than dogs. They can handle being alone better. But like someone suggested, get a pair, they keep each other entertained. And watch out for electrical cords, keep them out of the way.

Any dog requires more involvement, but Huskies are at the higher end of involvement. If you're not active, really bad choice. But they are cool. To get your Husky fix, find someone who has one, and make friends and visit a lot. Maybe they'll even let you take them for a walk. Or volunteer at a Husky rescue.

If you just have to have a Husky, put it in doggy day care or at least have someone come over and play with it several times a day.

BTW, a kit is not second choice, either- they're awesome as well. Just a better match.

A pair of husky pups will play with each other as much as a pair of cats.

I've had husky mixes. Nice dogs, but they are runners.

or two Maine Coon rescues!

I'm a husky lover too and I've often pined for one, but keeping a dog just isn't realistic in my situation. So I have cats. My Maine Coon satisfies my longing for a big, wild looking dog-like pet. He looks like a very hairy Lynx and is just as loyal and gentle as my collie was. If I've been away from home for any amount of time I come home to see him pawing frantically for me through the glass door. He's SOOOO happy to have me come home, and so happy to snuggle with me in the mornings!









MCs are much larger than regular domestic cats. The brown and white tabby, Puck, is a normal sized 9 pound cat. Oberon is closer to 20 (lean) pounds:


Oberon's brother Hobson:



They are happiest in pairs!

such a sweetheart, are you sure he isn't just a miniature lion?

LOL

He THINKS he's a lion, but I'm afraid he's the cowardly lion at best. Poor boy gets freaked out by the slightest odd noise, or even seeing a cat toy in the middle of the floor that he doesn't recognize, lol!

Funny thing; when I was trying to find a new home for my serval hybrid a man from a wildlife rescue center stopped by to take a look at him. He was impressed by the serval/ bengal mix, but even MORE impressed by Oberon! Obie caught his eye as he was leaving, and he went over to him, picked him up and said "Now THIS is a CAT! Look at that face! He's a miniature lion"! He offered to adopt Obie at once, but of course that was out of the question. I'll never part with my loyal and lovable "George Clooney of Catdom"! It did strike me as funny, though; here I had an African wild cat who resembled a big eared cheetah up for adoption, and the wild animal lover wanted the hairy domestic Maine Coon instead!

That top picture is incredible.

I think that he knows that he's a sexy beast, lol!








Well, most of the time, anyway:

:loveya:

But I'll never have one again. With my hands, I can't groom them as well and as frequently as they require. So any cats I adopt in the future will be older short-hairs in need of a retirement home. :)

It's like apples and oranges, ya know?

I don't want to see that beautiful baby pooch abandoned. But I know that is not what you meant, so please take no offense.

rescue a pair which belonged to someone who can no longer keep them, or 2 youngish cats from same litter.
If you get them young they bond to you too. Handle them a lot when they are still small and they just think it is the normal way of things.

the cats can hang out for a weekend without worry if you have to be gone.
the cats don't care if you can't go for walkies right now dammit
the cats will purr
the cats will not bark
the cats will not require intense attention to training
the cats will make you laugh...a LOT

did I mention the cats will purr?

the cat can snuggle with you quite nicely.

I'd go with the Maine Coon if I were currently catless and looking to start over from scratch, so to speak LOL, bad pun, I know...rescuing a couple of Coon cats would just be ideal.

But my cats have all been either shelter kitties, or strays, or given to us by friends who were oversupplied with cats.

Go with the cat if you are gone that much. They can take it. Save the dog (any dog) for when you are able to spend more time with them.

and post pictures when you do get something.

time to give to the dog. Puppies need A LOT of attention, and a shelter or rescue husky might just be totally bewildered to be left alone a lot. Anxiety in a dog usually equals destructive behavior - shredded pillows, shoes, whatever.

I had one cat for a while, then another (now 7, but that's another story) and I strongly recommend you get two, if possible - litter mates, or two who are buddies already. They'll keep each other company while you're gone, and two cats really aren't much more work than one. You already have to scoop a litter box with one, another bit of scooping is no big deal.

Our cats are fantastic companions. And before we had so many - when we just had 2-3 - we could just go away for a long weekend with no problems - put out a few extra litter boxes, lots of food and water, and they were fine.

with it.

Seriously consider the 2 cat option - esp starting out with 2 cats, preferably ones who already lived together (or 2 kittens).

you can spend one hour exercising HARD and another hour or two playing.

I LOVE my husky, but he is a handful.

Seriously, there are rescues looking to place animals in forever homes. There are plenty of wonderful dogs & cats at your local shelter who will probably be killed if not placed in a good home such as yours.



This is my latest "free" dog named "Lucy", she was dropped off in front of my house last November. No way could I do anything but welcome her into my home.

How's little Lucy doing?
Duckie

She is much bigger than any of the other five but still obeys them. She is still scared of "flea taxi" & "chairman meow", often she will wait for me to escort her past the cats if they are in a hallway.
All in all she is a wonderful pup & I am happy she found my doghouse!

Then you would have a husky kitty :silly:

but they may be high maintenance, needing frequent walks and play. Cats are ideal pets in that they can handle periods of isolation- or even better two cats! Good luck~!

When he gets bored, he gets destructive. He gets bored a *lot* and we devote tons of time to him. He loved to eat shoes and clothing. So far I am down 4 pair of shoes, my daughter is down 1 pair and my son 2. If you don't have the time to devote to a high energy dog, get the kitten.

Edited to add: he's also been in dog jail twice because he can easily clear our 6 foot chain link fence. His next bail will cost $200.00.

Serge

and yes, i am yelling. kitty can be alone. doggy gets lonly.

Try to narrow down what types of animals would be happiest and best-suit your lifestyle, schedule, living arrangement before getting anything.

Also, make certain that you're ready to meet the needs of whatever choice you make. You'll be a happier owner and have a happier pet.

When you love animals, it's best to carefully consider their interests, as well.

about them. They are indeed beautiful, intelligent and gentle. Our 5 year old daughter is the love of my husky's life. That dog will put up with having Disney princess crowns put on his head and jewelry hung round his neck because she is the one doing it. We only had a problem with him destroying one item in the house - he chewed a door mat. Unfortunately, that chewed door mat cost us several thousand dollars in vet bills because the monofilament got caught in his intestine and he needed surgery to remove the blockage. Someone else pointed out that a bored husky is a problem. We got past that by giving the husky several other dogs to play with. He has his own greyhounds and whippets to keep him happy. He likes to lead them in group howls. That's special, let me tell you. As much as I love huskys and when Bragi (named after the Norse god of music - see group howl reference above) dies, we will definitely get another, I would say that in your situation a cat probably will work out better.