Homework: A Household Meme current questions...
Pets: are they worth the added housework? How much extra work around the house (besides the work required for their regular care) do your pets create for you? Do, or did, you factor in housework when deciding to get a pet? Do the benefits outweigh the headaches, at least on most days?
They do create more housework, especially dogs, but the rest of the physical upkeep is one of the things that's making us really think hard about getting another dog. My health is unstable and my husband wants another big dog, we had two dogs (9 years and 16 years) and are kind of taking a break right now. I worry that I won't be able to keep up with a dog and a cat, because we spoil our pets rotten and proper care of a large dog is a lot of work. Our cat sheds amazingly little (she's a short-haired Burmese) and the main effort required with her is keeping her occupied and exercised, she's as hyper as a Border Collie and wants to play 24/7, she brings toys into the bedroom while I sleep in hope.
We had two outdoor dogs for nine years till one passed and the other (a black Lab) gradually became an indoor dog. She shed like crazy and we had another cat at the time also who also shed, so black & white hairs were floating around the house and my husband was vacuuming daily (he's a vacuuming fanatic so I let him). As our dog got older and it was harder for her to get up and down we had a LOT more housework for the last year or two (and were constantly worried about leaving the house even to go eat dinner) so it was a lot of stress but of course it was worth it. (See Furry Family Members for more info and photos of our pets)
I actually read on the internet that Labs are very heavy shedders and silkier haired Golden Retrievers shed less. My parents had Goldens, but they were always outside so I don't know it that's true or not. But Labs shed a lot more than you'd imagine.
us other pets that come and go so compared to her I've got it really easy.
The kitty knocks some of the litter out of her box, and occasionally throws up somewhere but is not bad at all compared to our last cat who we sometimes referred to as Exorcist Kitty and had a preference for sofas and beds. She is the first cat we've had that has her claws but she's very good about using her post except when she gets bored and wants attention. We keep a throw on the sofa for her to climb and to catch any hair.
The handiest tool I've found is a battery-operated kitty scoop that makes cleaning the litterbox much faster (it vibrates and shakes itself). I know it sounds weird, but it really works.
And then there's always the pest-control advantage of having a cat, especially in the swampy South.
But the main stress of owning a pet for me has always been the fact that I worry about them constantly. Yes, even the cat. I could never have children, I'd never let them leave the house...