10 Rules for choosing The Right Pet

  10 Rules for Choosing The Right Pet

 

Below are some things you should consider before buying a pet. It's not as simple as seeing a cute animal and taking it home. There is much more to it. 

Some pets need licenses to have, others need registrations. Check with your council as to the regulations in your area for different pets.

 

1) No Impulse Shopping

Try not to adopt or purchase a pet on a whim or inspiration. Make it a deliberate, thought-out action. Buying a pet at a pet shop because it looks so, so adorable is not a good way to add another long-term member to your family. Sometimes we are not the best judges of our needs and sometimes our desires don’t really fit our needs. You might ask a close relative what kind of pet might fit your life style. Don’t be impulsive. 

2) Shop Around

Take the time to learn all about the kind of pet you are considering buying. Pet stores have a built-in bias to sell the animals so they are often not the best places to learn about pets. Books are somewhat better but no one has written an animal book who wasn't head over heals in love with that type of animal. Often the negative aspects of a species are glossed over. Remember that a new pet can change the structure of a family and needs to be acceptable to all family members. If you are considering purchasing a cat, learn about the special attributes of many breeds. Cat breeds are as different in their personalities, abilities and needs as people are.

3) Visit The Humane Society And Animal Rescue Organizations

Pay a few walk-through trips to your local animal shelters (like the RSPCA)  or animal re-homing organizations (such as TARS or Rescue-A-Cat) and interact with some of the animals there in a quiet one-on-one basis. Don’t pay too much attention to the chatter regarding specific pets. Just observe the pet when it is alone with you and try to make a mental list of its positive and negative points. 

4) Match Your Pet To Your Life Style

Do you work long hours? Some pets get very lonely by themselves while others are not bothered by solitude. Do you have children? Are they mature enough not to be a threat to the pet you choose or vice versa? If you travel a lot who will care for the pet while you are away? 

5) Match Your Pet To Your Home Environment

How much free space is there? Is there a back yard? Is it fenced? How will your neighbors feel about this new pet? If you rent, what will your landlord think about this pet? 

6) Decide Why You Want A Pet

Is this pet going to be a child substitute? There is nothing wrong with that. But then you may want a cat or dog. Your personality traits are very important. 

Do you want a pet that is independent and requires little contact or are you looking for an energetic companion with whom you can walk or play with? are you looking for a companion that enjoys sitting on your lap? Cat people tend to have different traits than dog people. 

Consider the reasons you want a new pet. Do you want to play with it and caress it? If so a reptile or amphibian may not be the right pet for you. Do you want to teach it tricks and interact with it? Then an intelligent pet like a dog, cat or ferret might be the right choice. 

7) Decide If This Is The Right Time In Your Life To Get A Pet

Consider if this is really the right time in your life to own a pet, or own another pet. If you already have other pets how will they get along with the new one? How stable are your human relationships? How good is your health?

8) Decide How Long You Want Your Pet To Live

How long do you expect your pet to live? Average dogs and cats live 12-16 years – some longer. Tortoises and goldfish have indeterminate life spans that approximate our own. Small parrots live 8-14 years; larger ones 35-60 years. Mice, however, are old at two years.

9) Decide If You Are Able To Meet This Pet’s Specific Needs

It is a good idea to do some research online or at the library as to how much care your pet will need. Do you have enough time to properly feed and clean for it? Many pets get bored if they do not have enough one-on-one contact. This boredom can lead to a host of undesirable behaviors. 

10) Cost

Besides the initial cost of the pet, you may well incur considerable expenses in purchasing the pet a suitable home or cage. For a cat, this may be a cat run outdoors or a dog will need adequate fencing so it can't escape. Over time, the cost of a good diet will far exceed whatever you paid for the animal. It may need expensive veterinary care, grooming, registration or licenses. It may need a boarding facility or pet sitter for when you are away.

*This information was collected from http://www.2ndchance.info/