Choosing A Pet

Deciding to get a pet may seem simple enough but there are several things you may want to take into consideration before making your choice. You need to decide whether you want a small pet or a large one. Do you want a pet that you can keep indoors or outdoors. Several different factors will help you decide which type of pet will be best for you and your family. Do you live in an apartment? If so, it may be better for you to choose a smaller indoor animal that will not require much room to run or grow. There are many small animals that make excellent pets and only require a minimum amount of maintenance. You may want to consider a hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, bird or goldfish as a first pet. Many birds bond readily with people and love attention. If you choose a bird for your pet you will want to teach your child not to stick their fingers into the cage since birds like to peck at them. If you have a young son, you may find that a turtle or small lizard would make an excellent pet for your child. If you want an indoor animal that you can have more contact with then you may want to think about getting a cat. They can fit into an indoor environment well and are easily trained to use a litter box. Most rabbits can also be readily trained to use a litter box and are very smart animals. Other factors that you may want to take into consideration before getting your first pet should include how much time you or your child are able to devote to the care of the pet. Some animals require more time and attention than others, for example, a dog needs regular exercise and need to be taken outside whereas cats usually are content to be left alone and will go in the litter box as long as it is kept clean.

If you live in a home with a large yard and plenty of room to run, a dog may be the perfect choice of pets. Dogs are loveable, loyal and eager to bond with their owners. But keep in mind that dogs require time, energy and attention so be prepared to be able to provide these things before bringing a dog into the family. Most dogs can be trained in a reasonable amount of time. If you're looking to acquire a large dog you really should have adequate space so that the dog has plenty of room to run. Even if you are getting a pup, it is going to grow into a large dog that will need space and room to exercise so that it will grow up to be happy and healthy. If your children are very young make sure the dog is good with small children before bringing it into your family environment. Some dogs that have not been raised around children need time to adapt. This applies to cats as well. Even a small dog can be aggressive. When I was a small child, my mother had a Chihuahua. One day as I lay on the couch sleeping I began to stir and cry. The dog promptly bit me on the ankle! It wasn't a severe bite thankfully but the incident prompted my mother to give the dog to her sister who had no children. Chihuahuas are wonderful pets but they become very attached to their owners and tend to be aggressive because of their small size. It is their way of compensating against other dogs that are much larger and the aggressive behavior tends to be a part of their nature. Although I must state that not all Chihuahuas are overly aggressive. I have a friend who has the most adorable little Chihuahua that growls whenever you come to the door but as soon as you pet or pick him up he becomes the most loveable little creature. I just wanted to mention this incident because you should be aware of a potential pet's particular personality in the event that you do have small children in the home. This applies not only to Chihuahua dogs but to all pets and breeds.

Small children like to play with animals and sometimes do not realize their own strength. Certain movements made by the child  may been seen by the animal as threatening. If you have children under the age of five years you should be cautious when acquiring a kitten under the age of three months. Young children tend to pick kittens up by the head or throat and a small kitten is fragile like a human infant and cannot be manhandled. Some young children have inadverdently killed or injured a small kitten by picking it up in this manner. Likewise an adult cat may scratch or bite a young child. Most children that are born into a household where pets already exist will adapt much quicker and seem to have an innate sense of tenderness with their pets but children who have never been around an animal on a regular basis may need to be showed how to handle an animal gently. In turn, most animals are sensitive to young children as well if they have been raised in an environment with children. Teaching your child to care for their new pet will help foster a caring loving attitude and a sense of responsibility.

Once you've settled on the type of pet that you want to get for your child learn all that you can about the animal. The local library is filled with many books on all types of animals and breeds. Be sure that you have all of the equipment necessary to care for your pet. You can speak to the owner or clerk of a pet store to find the best nutritional supplements for your type of pet. Make sure that your pet is in good health and take it to the local vet for initial and follow-up exams so that your pet remains healthy. Before you bring home a pet, check for feas, ticks, ear mites and other signs of infestation. If you or your child has your heart set on an animal that has an infestation of fleas make sure that you take the proper steps to eradicate the problem. You can purchase over the counter preparations to treat the animal or make an appointment with the vet for a flea dip or other necessary treatment.

There are many ways that you can find your ideal pet. You can purchase a pet at the local pet store. You can adopt an animal from your local animal shelter. There is always an ample supply of pets for sale or free to a good home in the local newspaper or you may even choose to open your home and heart to a stray animal in your neighborhood. Whatever option you choose in acquiring your new pet just be sure to take the proper precautions such as never approaching a stray animal that appears to be sickly or hostile. In a situation where you feel a animal may have rabies or be a potential threat you should contact the local SPCA immediately. They will know how to deal with the situation properly. Do not put yourself at unnecessary risk. This is not to say that all stray animals are a threat because they are not. Many healthy animals have been dropped off in neighborhoods because people could no longer care for them for a variety of reasons but it is best to be cautious since even a healthy animal could come in contact with any number of sources that could cause illness to them. Whatever animal you choose to become your pet will provide you and your family with an immense source of pleasure and happiness. Proper care and attention of your pet can be beneficial to your own well-being as studies show that pet owners are happier, healthier people. May you and your pet enjoy a long healthy relationship.