Dogs and cats can be very good companions. Dogs and cats can be very affectionate. However, dogs will almost always stay by their owner’s side and are always ready for attention. Cats like to be affectionate on their own terms and they are perfectly happy curling up under the bed or couch. A dog is generally physically close to you at all times while a cat may not be seen for hours. Cats and dogs both love to lick as a display of their friendship. Cats rub up against you to show their friendship while dogs may jump on you or grab a favorite toy for you to play with them. Two factors to compare before purchasing the pet is the need for care they require and expense. Need for care in both animals is essential and different. For example, a cat must have a cat box while a dog must be let out of doors to use the bathroom. Cat boxes have an odor when left unattended and must be cleaned regularly to prevent this from happening and for the health of the cat. In comparison, a dog will have to be let out of doors to use the bathroom or taken for a walk which can present a problem. For example, cleaning a cat box is an unpleasant job and, if it’s not kept clean, can cause the cat to use the bathroom in the house. Likewise, it may not always be convenient to take a dog for a walk so he can use the bathroom. To ensure that your pet is getting the right amount of exercise, a dog will need to go for walks, or to a dog park, to get their exercise, unlike a cat which is able to get the right amount of exercise indoors. A dog and cat need to be brushed on a regular basis for health purposes and to help with shedding. A cat is going to shed; however, there are breeds of dogs that will not shed. Both animals need fresh water and food. Unlike a dog, a cat can be a very finicky eater which may present a problem in finding a food the cat will eat while still being nutritious. Expense is also an important factor. In the same way, a dog and cat can be expensive. Purchase prices on a dog or cat can vary depending on what breed you are interested in. Both will require monthly flea treatments which is an added expense. Along these lines, both pets will require veterinarian visits. A dog, especially a puppy, will chew on almost anything it can get its teeth on. This presents two problems, it can ingest foreign objects that have to be surgically removed and, depending on what the dog chewed up, can be expensive to replace. A cat, on the other hand, sharpens their claws on anything it can dig its claws into. This also presents a problem if the cat chooses a couch, chair or drapes to sharpen its claws on, which could result in the replacement of expensive items. A dog may be contained to a certain area when you are away by purchasing a crate, which will be an added expense, but a cat can be put in any room as long as its cat box is available. A dog tends to develop more agility problems as they get older which may require more doctor visits and expensive medicine, likewise, a cat can develop feline leukemia which is also very expensive to treat. Unlike a dog, a cat develops hairballs which may require visits to the vet, possible surgery and require special food which is expensive. In the same way, both animal required food and costs can vary depending on what brand you choose. In summary,a dog or cat is a good pet to have. Unlike a cat, a dog displays more affection by jumping and barking while a cat may rub against you. A cat may require less care due to their ability to use a cat box, where as a dog must be taken outside. Accordingly both animals can be expensive due to food, maintaining their health and mishaps. Depending on what characteristics a person is looking for in a pet, either animal could be the right choice.