Pet Question and Answer - Which Is The Best Pet For You?
April 25, 2008 – 4:12 pm* Question: How do I choose the pet that is right for my family?
First of all, never purchase a pet on impulse. Bringing home a kitten or puppy just because it was irresistible is seldom a good idea.
Rather, you should discuss the matter of pets with your entire family. Don’t forget to consider these points: daily feeding, personal attention, playtime, grooming, veterinary care and house training (if applicable). You may also want to ask each family member why they want a pet. Make sure your children understand that a pet is another family member, not just a toy, and the needs of the pet should be considered alongside other members of the family.
Next, review your lifestyle. Let’s say, for example, you have a downtown apartment and have a rigorous work schedule. In this case it may be best to consider a pet such as a bird, a cat or maybe even a fish. If your daily routine includes jogging or running, then a dog might be a good choice for you.
If you’d like to understand the needs of a potential pet, make a point of seeking out and talking to breeders and other pet owners. Find local pet shows and talk to the judges. Use Google to search for specific breeds to learn more about the pet you are thinking of purchasing. It goes without saying that you should consider the ages of your children when planning to add a new pet to your household. An often overlooked issue is to consider the life expectancy of the pet and how this will affect your children.
* Question: Which is best - to get a pet from the local animal shelter or from a pet store like PetsMart?
It’s really a matter of individual choice. However, personally, I would say it is advisable to get pets from a shelter. The animals are well-cared for by the staff and are aware of an environment involving people. The shelter’s staff can help you find the pet that you want. The staff can tell you which dog enjoys long walks, which animal loves children and which cat likes to curl up on your lap. In addition, animals from a shelter have already undergone medical treatments such as immunizations, spaying and neutering.
If you decide instead to get a pet from a pet store, be sure you spend time with the store owner about that particular animal’s temperament, particulary for dogs, cats and other animals that will have plenty of interacation with a variety of people.
* Question: What is the best way to decide which dog is best for me?
You should follow basic steps in choosing the right type of dog for you:
- Look for pet guides to learn about a particular dog breed’s personality, background and temperament. Surf the internet for online guides that tell you about those kinds of dogs.
- Consult a veterinarian to discuss details about the characteristics and temperament of the breed you are looking for. Ask questions to understand more about it.
- If you are planning to purchase a puppy at a pet store, make sure to ask for the animal’s status — such as its origin, behavioral problems, physical problems and the breed’s anomalies. Otherwise, you can also get dogs or puppies from animal shelters or from a private breeder.
- Last, but not least, talk to your friends about the various types of dog breeds they have owned.
Tags: Pets
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