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 Wanting
a pet that is on the quiet side, does not necessarily mean you
should get a small dog. Many smaller dogs are as much or more
rambunctious than a larger dog. Think of Jack Russel Terriers.
Therefore, don’t think that a big dog wouldn’t work for you. That
said, keep in mind breed traits as well.
Often, herding types don’t necessarily work well in a small
apartment unless they can be given lots of exercise. But they do
great if they have a fenced yard or the owner is committed to lots
of walks or running. So, keep in mind the activity level you are
looking for and if you have the time available for that commitment.
Next while keeping in mind the lifestyle your pet will need; can you
commit to this for the next 12-20 years depending on what type of
pet you get?
With proper care, nutrition, and veterinary care it is not uncommon
for kittens to live up to 20 years. Because of this time factor, you
need to think about things in the long term, not just today or this
year. Meaning will your lifestyle be changing in this time, i.e.,
adding a baby to the family etc. If that may be the case, you would
want to factor that into your current decision.
Also, factor in the age of the pet you are wanting. A
puppy is not always the correct choice. There are many wonderful
dogs that are older that make great family members. We have seen
many cases where that an older dog or cat was the perfect addition.
They may have had to leave their previous home because of issues
that were not at all related to them. Such as the loss of an owner
or home etc.
When making your decision, think about whether you can manage
excessive hair, drool etc. in your home. The hair factor can apply
to both dogs and cats. Also, are there family members that could be
allergic? If they are allergic to cats then a kitten may not be the
best choice. If only mildly allergic, there is a newer food on the
market that may help with this. If allergic to dogs, then certain
breeds shed less than others. Obviously, your big dogs drool and
slobber more than a little dog. Just a few things to think about.
Do you have the space allotted for the new family member? This could
be a kennel for certain dogs and cats for that matter. Is there
space for a litter box or two? Many people think their dog will
sleep with them, and this is often true, but not in every case.
Whether you choose to have your new family member sleep with you are
not, it is still a great idea to get them used to being in a kennel.
Therefore, where will the kennel go?
Because of these concerns and the long-term commitment, you also
need to consider finances. This is long term decision. As pointed
out earlier, this new family member will be around a long time and
will have many costs for them to live their longest, healthiest, and
happiest life. This includes food, housing, veterinary care,
grooming, etc. The average annual total cost for dogs is between
$800-1500. The variability is based on more food for bigger dogs,
but also higher grooming costs for some dogs, and higher veterinary
care for some dogs as well.
Cats are somewhere around $600-800 yearly. These
costs need to be kept in mind for the duration of this pet’s life.
These costs will only increase with age.
As far as veterinary care, most offices recommend either getting pet
insurance or having a cash reserve for those expenses, especially
those unplanned major medical items. For some of those routine
yearly expenses many veterinary offices are offering a Wellness
subscription where you can pay for those routine annual veterinary
expenses monthly to avoid 1-2 larger bills yearly. Often these plans
have a cost savings as well.
Now that you have thought all these thoughts through, we need to
talk about what to do to plan for your new family member. Obviously,
the first step is getting bowls, litter box for a cat or kitten,
etc. Just as important as those things is their food. Most
veterinarians recommend premium quality food e.g., Hill’s Science
Diet, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan. These foods have the most
research behind them and are balanced for the life stage of your
pet. Yes, they may cost more, but over time we have seen this extra
cost pay off. Usually, these diets require less food to be fed and
are therefore not that much more. Some older adoptees may require a
special diet, but the shelter usually can tell you about that.
Before you get home, you will also want to pet proof
your home or apartment. Remove any plants that may be toxic, get
baby gates if you want to keep them away from a specific area, or
want to limit their space initially or introduce them to a cat or
dog that you already have at home.
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There will be some training issues whether you’re
adopting a puppy or kitten or an older pet. With the puppy or kitten
house/litter training will be your first hurdle. After that there
will be socialization of the puppy. This should occur much earlier
than most people think. The primary socialization time for all
puppies is 9-20 weeks. After that it is harder to train them to
adjust to new things. It still can be done but is harder to
accomplish.
If you’re adopting an older pet they will require some training as
well and may need some work to be introduced to an existing family
member. This can be true if that family member is a pet or a human.
There are several things that need to be done to make this a
smoother transition.
Before getting your new pet, you should get set up
with their veterinarian and if needed, a groomer. It is best to have
this planned out ahead of time. If you are considering a pet that
will need regular grooming, start young and start early. Don’t wait
until that fluffy little doodle is 9 months old before they see the
groomer. Begin as early as 8 to 10 weeks. Start even earlier with at
home brushing, baths, etc. Make regular appointments with the
groomer in your area. This would ideally be every 2-3 weeks. Maybe
the first time will be a quick bath and comb out. Maybe the second
visit could be a pedicure and a bath. If you wait until your puppy
is in desperate need of grooming and you haven’t exposed them to any
type of spa day at all, it will not only be traumatic and difficult
for the dog but also for the groomer. Combing them on a regular
basis and trimming their nails weekly while sitting on the couch
will pay off many times over as your dog matures.
If you only do two nails at a sitting and make it fun, you will have
accomplished your goal. Play with their feet/ears/mouth and get then
used to this handling. Always remember to use lots of praise and
treats when working with your dog at home. Ask your groomer what
kind of combs and brushes are best suited for your dog’s coat. They
will be very helpful. Many groomers and veterinarians are very busy
and have longer than normal wait times to get in. Therefore, you
should plan for this. Also, if needed, your doctor can review the
medical history if it is an older pet. They can then advise you if
you will need special care etc. for that situation.
Will you need to board your new family member? If there is even the
slightest possibility that you will, find a reputable boarding
facility in your area and stop by for a visit. Do not wait until you
take that well deserved vacation to board your pet for the first
time. You could leave them for just an afternoon at first. The next
step would be a weekend. Remember that it is far less traumatizing
to them if they are even vaguely familiar with their temporary space
and the people who work there.
Sometimes emergency situations arise, and you are left with no
options other than to board your pet. Make it as easy for them as
possible. Bring along with them a favorite toy, or a blanket that
smells like home. All these things will help reduce the stress of
them not being with their family.
As you can see, there are many things that go into these decisions,
but the value of having a family member that will be by your side
and be your best friend for years is priceless. Also, just exercise
patience during the start of this lifetime commitment of your new
best friend!
NOTE: If you have further questions visit the Green Prairie Animal
Hospitals website at
www.greenprairie
animalhospitals.com
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