Want to adopt a pet but you are not sure if you should get a cat or a dog?  There are so many factors that go into the decision, but one that I want to highlight today is travel. As the world opens back up (I’m writing this on my way to Paris!), people are starting to leave their homes more frequently and for greater periods of time. As you know, any time you commit to adopt a four-legged friend means that they are now a part of your family, so they must be taken care of always.

Dogs are mobile and can adapt to different environments as they come with you on your adventures. You can sip espresso at a café and read the newspaper while they lay by your feet. You can bring them to a special park area to play with other dogs, on a hike through the mountains, or to play by the ocean (keeping safety and park rules in mind, of course). Some offices and other buildings allow people to bring their dogs with them to work as well.

Most cats, on the other hand, take a while to adapt to their environments and it is rare for a cat to tag along with their humans whenever they go. While some feral cats live outdoors, it is not a good idea to let your cat outside to wander unless they are in an enclosed environment – other cats, dogs, cars and hidden hazards are far too dangerous. Most cats don’t tolerate a leash or a harness, and cats usually don’t listen to commands the way dogs do. It’s not usually possible for a cat to simply sit by your side or on your lap when in a place other than your home.

At the same time, cats can usually be left at home for longer during the day – provided they have fresh water, food and a clean litter box – than dogs can. For dogs, if you are not home most of the time during the day, you will need to arrange for someone to walk your dog a few times so they can have their exercise, meals and bathroom breaks. For both cats and dogs, if you are going away overnight and they can’t come along, it is always best practice to have a pet sitter to keep an eye on them and to make sure that they do not get lonely! (Yes, cats can get lonely too).

If you are bringing your furry friend on your journey with you – whether by plane, car, bus, ferry or train – ensure that they are in a safe and smartly designed pet carrier, like The SHERPA Bag® which I invented! For more tips for traveling with your furry friend, check out these posts:  https://silverdisobedience.rocks/dont-leave-home-without-it-your-pet/ and https://silverdisobedience.rocks/the-who-what-when-where-how-and-why-of-pet-travel/

So before deciding whether you are a “cat person” or a “dog person” consider your lifestyle and routine – and whether or not your furry friend will be happy tagging along or staying in their sunspot at home.

Gayle Martz is the SilverDisobedience Pet Ambassador who will be sharing her insight on a variety of pet-related topics. Gayle is the founder of The SHERPA Pet Trading Company, where she single-handedly designed, manufactured and marketed the iconic SHERPA Bag you see everywhere! This carrier, which millions have bought for their dogs, cats and other animal companions, continues to be THE top-selling, prize-winning, globally-popularly soft-sided pet carrier. Further, it is because of Gayle’s advocacy and entrepreneurship that pet travel on airlines is now possible and common. Gayle’s the author of “IT’S IN THE BAG”, which is part memoir and part business book.