From insects to alpacas, pets come in all shapes and sizes.
Many families feel that they are not complete without some
little (or large) critter to love. In fact, more than 60%
of all American households have pets, and many of those
have more than one. If you are considering buying or
adopting a new pet, you need to make sure that you are
already to take on the demands of a furry (or scaly)
companion.
Choosing the Right Pet
When most people think of family pets they think of furry
one like dogs, cats, and a variety of domestic rodents.
While these are common pets, they are far from the only
options out there. Fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and
even insects can all be great pets for a loving family.
Choosing the right pet starts with a close look at your
current lifestyle.
One of the most important considerations to make is the
amount of time you have free to devote to your pet. Dogs,
for instance, need daily exercise and grooming. Are you
going to be able to provide that? If you have a very busy
lifestyle, choose a pet that requires less work to care
for. There are many options that fit well into a busy life,
including pet insects and reptiles. Some small rodents,
like mice or guinea pigs, fit well into busy families.
Keep in mind that your child's pet will be your pet. Sure,
your child will promise that he will walk, feed, and pick
up after the dog, but these are ultimately your
responsibility. If they do not get done, you will have to
step in and do them for your child. Do not pick a pet that
you are not willing to care for and assume that your child
will.
You also want to consider the financial responsibility of
owning a pet. Some pets require much more of a financial
investment than others. A few crickets each week to feed a
lizard will not cost much, but bag after bag of dog or cat
food does add up. Before you choose a pet, find out all of
the gear the pet will need, and decide if you can afford
it. Also, make sure you consider the cost of vet bills.
Failure to take an injured or sick pet to the vet is
considered animal cruelty, no matter what your income
situation may be.
Finally, consider any allergies in the home and extended
family. Your immediate family may be fine owning a rabbit,
but if grandma is allergic to the bunny's fur, you will be
sentencing your children to never enjoying a visit from
grandma. If someone you care about is allergic to a
particular animal, choose something else.
Make a Lifetime Commitment
The animal shelters are full of animals whose families
simply decided they did not want to be pet owners anymore.
Before you adopt or buy an animal, make sure you realize
that you are making a lifetime commitment to your new pet.
Take into consideration the expected lifespan of the animal
you are choosing.
This is not something to take lightly. Some animals, such
as parrots, can live as long as 70 years. Take the time to
research the lifespan of the pet you have chosen. Also, if
the lifespan is relatively short, such as for some fish and
rodent species, you will want to prepare any children in
the family for the eventual demise of their beloved pet.
Protect from Unwanted Reproduction
If you purchase a pet, such as a dog or cat, that can be
spayed or neutered, have it done. Unless you are planning
to breed the animal to sell the babies, there is no reason
to keep it intact. Unwanted reproduction will only put more
animals in the shelters.
You can also protect yourself from unwanted reproduction in
small rodents. Be sure you know the sex of the pet before
you buy it. Separate males from females in order to avoid
an eventual litter of new critters.
Prepare Your Home for Your New Pet
Once you have chosen the type of pet you want and have
decided to make a lifetime commitment to that new family
member, you need to prepare your home for its new addition.
If the pet will be one that can roam through the house,
make sure it is safe. Put away medications and cleaners in
a place where the pet cannot access them. Find out if your
houseplants are ones that are poisonous to animals, and put
them out of reach if they are.
Provide a place for your pet to have as his own. If your
pet is kept in a cage or tank, this is easy enough to do.
Put a shelter of some sort in the habitat that the pet can
go to when he wants some privacy. If your pet is going to
have free reign in your house, give him a bed in a
designated area where he will not be disturbed. Sometimes a
crate works well. Every animal needs a place to go where
other family members or pets will not intrude.
Where to Find Pets
The most obvious place to find pets available for sale is a
pet store. If you are purchasing a small pet, such as a
fish or hamster, this may be a good option. Larger pets,
such as dogs, are often kept in poor conditions in a pet
store, and they are also usually overpriced.
Adopting a pet that is in an animal shelter is always a
good choice, if it works for you. Contact your local animal
shelter to find out what types of animals they currently
have available. Keep in mind that you may have a difficult
time finding a young animal, like a kitten or puppy,
because these are very popular and tend to get adopted
quickly.
You can also find pets through animal classifieds, either
online or through your local paper. This can be a great way
to find an affordable animal or to purchase directly from a
breeder. By shopping online animal classifieds, you will
have a better chance of finding up to date information
about available animals. This is also a great resource for
those shopping for a more exotic pet that is not likely to
be found in a pet store or animal shelter.
----------------------------------------------------
Jay Gaulard writes for a wide selection of websites on
various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has
come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This
article was written on behalf of
http://www.petclassifieds.us , a popular pets for sale
website.
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