Choosing A Suitable Pet

Questions to consider before choosing a new pet

For your new little family member to ‘fit in’, and become a loyal companion, there are many factors that you need to consider:

• Are you thinking dog or a cat?
• Do you want an inside or outside pet?
• Cats can live exclusively indoors and be very content indeed
• If outside, then how big is your backyard?
• Do you lead an active lifestyle?
• Certain breeds of dogs require lots of exercise or they become destructive or try to escape.
• Will your pet be a constant companion or lap dog, or be left alone for periods of the day whilst you are at work?
• Behaviour problems can develop with certain breeds if they are left to their devices day in and day out.
• Do you already have other pets?
• Your 15-year-old cat may not take too kindly to being chased around the house by a new puppy.
• Do you have children, and if so, then how old are they?
• A large boisterous puppy may bowl toddlers over, or frighten young children.
• Do you have time for grooming a long coat each day?  If not, then a Persian or an Old English Sheepdog is not for you.
• Do you travel a lot?
• Your pet may not take too kindly to spending every school holiday in a boarding facility.
• What is your weekly budget?
• The larger the animal, the larger the feed bills!
• Often flea treatments, worming pills, and heartworm prevention, in addition to veterinary medications will increase according to the weight of your pet.
• How much do you want to spend on purchasing your pet?
• Have you considered adopting a rescue animal? 4 Paws Animal Rescue, SCARS and RSPCA all have healthy animals looking for loving families.
• Are you aware that some pedigree pets have pedigree problems (eg, hip dysplasia, heart disease, breathing problems, eye issues etc)?

As you can see, being a responsible pet owner takes a lot of forethought.