The different personalities of dogs and cats

Some easy tips for picking out your new pet

By Delsie Burke

Some people think that picking an animal is very easy and others think that it is an overwhelming task. Neither is correct. You need to pick a pet in a timely fashion and with care, but it shouldn’t be an overwhelming chore. Keep in mind that if you are truly interested and dedicated to buying a pet you will have an attraction toward the right pet. But before you rush home with the pick of the litter consider the following tips.

People who are not cat owners don’t consider cats to be full of personality. Those of us who are cat owners know better. Look for a cat that displays strong eye contact with you. This is a sign of trust and awareness and is especially important when choosing adults. Also important is bonding. When you first hold the cat, look for one who seems comfortable with you and stays with you longer. This cat will likely be calmer, dependent and cuddlier. Staff at a shelter can give you a good summation of how the cat interacts with other animals and children but only you can decide how the cat bonds with you.

Specifically with kittens, look for one who is not reluctant to come to you and will not cower in fear when its head is touched. If you are able to see the mother of your kitten do consider her personality. Much like an adult baby a kitten’s crucial years are spent with the mother so much of its personality will be like hers. As an example, if a kitten senses a fear of people from it’s mother than it will develop the same fear.

Dogs, of course, are radically different than cats when it comes to personality, some things you look for will be similar and others are different. Ultimately keep in mind that personality differs across breed of dog so you must research a particular breed before you bring it home just for its look. In general, here are a few tips to choose a good dog. When choosing an adult you need to consider what kind of a lifestyle you live.

If you live a more active lifestyle and have time to devote to an active pet (especially if you have kids), then choose the dog who is bouncier and barks to get your attention. If you live a quieter life (especially for older people or people with disability) then choose the dog who is more reserved, but not lethargic. Once again, eye contact is important but also look at the length of eye contact when you are talking to it, the longer the dog maintains eye contact, the more intelligent and aware it will be and this will make for a dog that is easy to train.

For puppies, to gauge intelligence, also look for length of eye contact but in addition, choose a puppy that has a natural curiosity and likes to explore its surroundings. Perform the ‘dominance test’. Roll the puppy onto its back for about thirty seconds, if the puppy tries to fight back, growl or nip you, then this is a dominant puppy and might not be the best choice. If the puppy initially fights then calms down, it’s a sign of a good temperament.

Next, hold the puppy for a few minutes, put it down and walk away. Avoid the puppy that doesn’t follow you. Don’t fall into the “let the puppy come to you” tradition. When a puppy comes to you it doesn’t mean that it has chosen you, this will result in a pushy and abrasive adult that will be difficult to train. Instead, consider the quiet one that hangs in the background. Avoid the puppy that shrinks away from you and puts its tail between its legs because a lack of trust can make training and socialization difficult and a dog who is easily startled will have a tendency to snap at people. Much like cats, if you have access to the puppy’s mother, you should consider her personality. The mother will set the stage for the puppy’s behaviour.

Health is an important consideration for both dogs and cats and both will show similar signs of good health. Look for bright and clear eyes; you should see no drainage from their eyes or nose. A healthy animal has fur that is dense, shiny and without patches. Their skin should be smooth and without bumps, lumps or sores. Healthy gums and teeth are not red and swollen and bad breath is a sign of bad health. With kittens and puppies in particular look for symmetry, a fat belly could be a sign of worms or intestinal problems. Extra toes in cats, also called Polydactyly, is not something to be worried about, actually, some people consider this a sign of intelligence.

Delsie Burke is a volunteer writer with the Baron.