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Are You Ready
for a New Pet?
When you adopt a pet, no matter what type, you take responsibility for making sure its most basic needs are met. Before you adopt a pet you should consider whether you are able to provide everything it needs, not only in the short term, but also for the whole life of the pet. The needs of the pet will differ based on type of animal and even type of breed. The following may not apply to all pets, but should give you a good idea of what to consider before adopting.
- Reasons
for Adopting a Pet: Are
you looking for companionship or do you need the pet to be able
to perform a certain task (such as a herding dog.) Do you want
a pet to travel with you, cuddle with you, protect you or go running
with you? Certain types of pets and certain breeds of pets are
more suited for different activities. If you have questions regarding
a certain type or breed of pet’s ability to fit into your
lifestyle ask your veterinarian. Another good reference for dog
breeds is “The Perfect Puppy” written by Benjamin L.
Hart, DVM and Lynette A. Hart. If you are adopting a pet as a companion
for your child make sure you as a parent are willing to step in
and care for the needs of the pet if your child is not able or
willing to provide the pet with what it needs.
- Experience
with Pets: Some
types of pets are not for first time pet owners while others are
excellent ‘starter’ pets. Do some research into the
type of pet you are interested in getting. If it requires a lot
of care, training and/or a very specific environment it may not
be a good choice as a first pet.
- Human
Medical Issues: Your
choice of type of pet may be influenced by whether anyone in your
family is allergic to certain types of pet. There are some breeds
of dogs and cats that may be less allergenic than others, and many
types of pets (reptiles and fish) do not have fur, but no pet is
truly hypoallergenic. There may be other medical conditions that
may preclude you from getting a certain type of animal. If you
have any concerns please speak with your physician regarding whether
the type of pet you want would be acceptable. On the other hand
there are many medical conditions that are helped by having a pet.
For instance spending time with a pet is proven to lower blood
pressure. Another thing to consider is if you develop a medical
issue that makes it difficult for you to care for your pet, who
will take over the responsibility of pet ownership for you?
- Housing: Can
you provide an appropriate place for you pet to live? Some pets require
very little space, and some need plenty of room. The most common
cause of health problem in small, caged, animals is not providing
a correct environment. Make sure to learn about what the pets natural
or ancestral habitat was like to make sure you would be able to provide
a close approximation.
- Time: Do
you have the time to devote to the care of a new pet? Some types
of pets require only a few minutes a day, such as some types of fish.
Others may need hours of interaction, grooming, and/or exercise.
Make sure you have time in your schedule to adequately care for your
pets’ needs.
- Animal
Medical Problems: Are you willing and able to provide
medical care for your pet. It is your responsibility to keep your
pet from suffering from illness and discomfort. Regular preventive
care may help avoid ailments, but some health problems are unavoidable.
Certain types and breeds of pets are more susceptible to certain
medical problems. Before you get a pet you should ask your veterinarian
what sorts of medical problems to expect and what can be done to
try and avoid those problems. Very young animals may suffer more
from medical issues as their immune system is not yet mature. Animals
that have not had adequate medical care prior to adoption may have
pre-existing problems that will need to be addressed. Also, a common,
unavoidable cause of medical problems is old age. Are you willing
to care for your pet as it ages and develops the chronic conditions
associated with old age? Many animals have a shorter life span
than humans do. Are you prepared to eventually deal with the death
of your pet?
- Animal
Behavior Problems: Perfectly natural pet behaviors can
sometimes be irritating to humans. Cats naturally scratch objects
to mark their territory. Some dogs find chewing to be an enjoyable
activity. All pets, if allowed access, have the potential to have
house soiling problems. Many types of animals can become aggressive
if given the right circumstances. Getting a pet fish may work to
avoid behavior problems as they do not have access to the house
to soil it and their ability to express aggression is limited by
their inability to breathe outside of water.
- Finances: Cost can become a major issue in caring for a pet. Some pets cost comparatively little. According to the ASPCA fish costs a minimum of about $35/year not including the aquarium. The ASPCA also estimated costs of dog ownership to be between $800-$1500/ year and cat ownership to be roughly $640 a year. i These figures include food, toys, collar, grooming, license, carrier, and preventive medical care. They do not include the cost of adopting the pet, emergency medical care, disease treatment, obedience training, or boarding. Costs often increase as pets get older. These estimated costs represent a MINIMUM per pet, most people will end up spending more. Pet insurance is available and may be a good investment if your pet was expensive to purchase or is a type of pet that often requires a lot of medical attention.
By claiming ownership of a pet you are accepting the responsibility for making it possible for the pet to have a healthy, happy life. Before taking on this obligation consider everything it entails. Having a pet can bring a lot of good experiences into your life, but it also requires a lot of giving of time, energy, and money. Do research regarding what type and/or breed of pet would best suit your needs and lifestyle. The more effort you put into picking the right pet for you, the better the chances you will have a good experience in pet ownership.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=petcarecosts ASPCA: Pet Care and Nutrition: Pet Ownership Costs
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