|
Will that small puppy grow into a 120 pound, slobbering couch hog? Might the clawed feline rival your document shredder on your new leather couch? Or could the really cool snake, a few years from now, need a far roomier (and far more expensive) habitat than the sales attendant ever mentioned?
Keeping an animal in your home should be a commitment that, despite its many rewards, includes some sacrifices. Whether financial, training, housing or just daily upkeep requirements, you must be prepared for new and often unexpected responsibilities.
Before you ever take an animal into your life, you must ask yourself these two important questions: Are you prepared to provide a pet a place in your household? Can you care for it in health and in sickness?
Choose The Type Of Pet You Want
You’ve committed yourself to getting an animal companion—congratulations! Now, how do you choose the right one?
First, what type of pet are you looking for? A couple of goldfish may be the perfect decoration, living in their bowl on the end table. Short of feeding and water maintenance there is usually no interaction required. Though cats generally tend to be more independent than dogs, both require more of a relationship commitment from their owners. Pocket pets (rats, mice, hamsters, etc.) can make fun little companions, but are usually short lived. Birds with appropriate upbringing and training can also be friendly and entertaining.
You will find that every animal will have its own set of needs for daily care, nutrition, housing, and grooming.
Plan Ahead For Pet Care
 Remember, pets have expenses associated with them. Veterinary check-ups, preventive care (vaccines, etc.), spay/neuter, and other associated medical costs can become expensive. Veterinary insurance can help defray some of these costs, but food, grooming, boarding, licensing, etc., can still quickly add up. Be prepared.
Plan ahead with your pet’s future in mind. For instance, adopting an older, timid cat when you are pregnant may not be such a wise idea two years later when your then-toddler begins to direct well-intended, but still uncoordinated attentions towards the frightened feline. An eighty-year old will present quite a different atmosphere than a household full of active children. If you live alone, consider who your visitors may be.
How about your home? Once grown, would the Great Dane puppy really fit into your second story apartment? What about the uninhibited cat jumping precariously through your crystal figurine collection on the shelf?
Before you ever take an animal into your life, you must ask yourself these two important questions:
Are you prepared to provide a pet a place in your household? Can you care for it in health and in sickness?
Find The Right Match
Consider your lifestyle in comparison to the needs of the pet. Some dogs demand their twice daily runs, while others prefer to snooze on the couch. How much time will this pet remain alone at home? The hyperactive terrier will probably not tolerate long stints alone without boredom steering him into trouble. In contrast, a sedentary cat may not mind being alone for a day or two.
While selecting the right pet for you, keep in mind the age of the pet you wish to adopt. Do you have the time and patience to housetrain a puppy? Don’t forget, some puppies may be more difficult to train than others. Kittens tend to be highly active and really like to climb and play. Adult animals, on the other hand, may come with unknown behavioral issues not immediately noticeable.
Commit To A Pet’s Lifetime
 Don’t forget that animals have different life spans as well. Certainly, this varies with each individual but, an Amazon parrot, for example, often lives to eighty years and can easily be expected to outlive its owners. A mouse only lives about one year. Different dog breeds have different life expectancies; generally the larger the breed the shorter the expected lifespan.
Locate A Reputable Pet Resource
Ask your friends, veterinarians, breeders or any reputable pet resource to help guide you. Research the breeds. Get to know your local shelters. Contact rescue groups. Interview and visit several breeders. Feel comfortable with your source.
Finally, when you are ready to meet your prospective companion, spend time with him or her. This may be the most important research you do. Handle the animal, watch the interactions with you, with other family members or friends and, if possible, with other animals. Is this the personality you wish to live with? Be prepared: often the personality may change as the pet adapts to your home.
Look For Signs Of Good Health
 You should perform a very basic health check on the premises. Monitor for any coughing or sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea or vomiting, limping, poor coat, inactivity, lack of appetite or any other obvious abnormality. If you have any questions regarding the pet’s health, request for an opportunity to have your veterinarian examine the animal before you commit.
Remember, emotional attachment happens fast, but the medical issues can accumulate quickly and sometimes become quite costly. This is a financial burden you may have to take responsibility for, even for a pet you’ve only just acquired.
Read Your Adoption Contract Thoroughly
Always thoroughly read and understand the purchase or adoption contract before you sign. If you are uncomfortable with the contract renegotiate or find another pet source. Though some have had some surprising and, perhaps unreasonable stipulations, these papers are legal documents.
Schedule A Pet Physical Immediately
Once you have your special animal companion, be sure to have your veterinarian perform a thorough physical examination and discuss with you preventive care, nutrition, and housing and any other special needs your new pet may have.
Then, may you enjoy all the rewards of your new animal companion!
Dr. Ingrid Pyka is the medical director at Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital in Denver, Colo., a non-profit veterinary hospital for qualified low income pet owners. As a veterinarian, Dr. Pyka emphasizes educating her clients to give them the tools to best care for their furry companions. She strongly feels that combining the highest quality medicine with complete client understanding allows patients and their owners to receive the best and most appropriate veterinary care.
Return to the Pet HealthZone>> | 
Products available through this site are only available for residents of the United States.
In Canada, please contact Petsecure at www.petsecure.com.
.jpg)
