Choosing your pet
Choosing a pet can be a very difficult decision, but it can lead to one of the most exciting days of your life when you bring your perfect pet home.
Many factors must be taken into consideration before choosing an animal to share your home with. You need to determine how much time you and your family have to spend with an animal, how much money can be spent each month on food and other expenses, and how much space is available for the animal to live.
Other things to think about include how frequently the animal will have to visit the vet, whether anybody in your family, or frequent guests, have allergies to your pet, and whether you want an animal that will sit on your lap to be pet, or if you want a pet that will stay in its cage that you can watch.
Choosing a dog is a very big decision, and requires careful consideration. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a dog is right for you and your family. It is vital that you sit down with your family and fully think through the following questions, and resist making an impulsive decision. You must do what is best for the animal, as most dogs that end up in shelters are there for the following reasons:
- Their puppy charm has worn off
- They were never given basic obedience or training lessons
- Their special needs or maintenance requirements were not considered
- Their breed characteristics were not researched efficiently, and they are not a compatible fit for the family’s lifestyle
- Maintenance/expenses were not realistically considered
Some of the questions to consider before choosing a dog:
How much space do you have for a dog? Is your back yard big enough? Do you have somewhere for him/her to sleep? Do you have a fence? If not, do you have the time to take the dog for walk a few times a day?
What age dog are you looking for? Would a young puppy be more compatible with your family, or would an older dog be better for you?
Have you considered the dog’s training needs, and do you have the time and patience necessary to fulfill them?
Are you familiar with the breed’s specific traits and characteristics that may require special grooming and/or may have certain medical needs? Does anyone in your family have allergies? Have you considered what type of coat would be most suitable for your family? Are you aware that different breeds shed more than others?
What is your activity level? Do you really want a high-activity level dog when you aren't really very active yourselves?
Are you very active? Will the breed of dog you are considering be able to keep up with your lifestyle? Do you have a plan in place if your occupation requires a lot of time away from home? Can you take the dog with you on vacation, or do you have a realistic plan in place for when you do travel?
Perhaps most importantly- How much will it cost to keep a dog, and can you afford it? Can you afford to feed a dog the high-quality food it deserves, pay for its vaccinations and other preventative treatments as needed, and be prepared for any emergencies that may come up?
Choosing a cat is also a very important decision that requires careful consideration. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether a cat is right for you and your family. It is vital that you sit down with your family and fully think through the following questions, and resist making an impulsive decision. You must do what is best for the animal, as most cats that end up in shelters are there for the following reasons:
- They are not provided with the proper equipment to constructively express their natural instincts
- They develop undesirable behaviors that are easily resolved if understood
- They did not neuter/spay the cat and an unwanted litter was a result
- Allergic reactions from cat dander were not considered
Some of the questions to consider before choosing a cat:
How much time do you have to spend with a cat or kitten each day? Kittens need much more play-time and socialization than adults cats do.
Are you willing to clean a litter box each day? Do you know that inappropriate urination can be prevented or resolved simply by where the litter box is placed, what type of litter is used, and what type of box is used (lid/no lid; automatic/ manual; appropriately sized box). Have you considered the appropriate number of boxes to have when in a multiple cat household?
Have you considered a cat’s natural instinct to scratch? You can avoid furniture destruction simply by providing an inexpensive assortment of scratching posts and equipment, and keeping their nails trimmed regularly.
Are you familiar with the breed’s specific traits and characteristics that may require special grooming and/or may have certain medical needs? Does anyone in your family have allergies? Have you considered what type of coat would be most suitable for your family? Are you aware that different breeds shed more than others?
Perhaps most importantly- How much will it cost to keep a cat, and can you afford it? Can you afford to feed a cat the high-quality food it deserves, pay for its vaccinations and other preventative treatments as needed, and be prepared for any emergencies that may come up?