While having a pet may sound like a great idea for you and your family, not everyone realizes the responsibilities of raising a pet and considers them ahead of time. Caring for a pet can involve every member of the family, so think things through carefully.
There are many factors to consider before getting any kind of pet.
First, remember that as a responsible pet owner, you need to be willing to form a relationship with the animal. Like any relationship, having a pet requires time and patience; after all, your pet will depend upon you for care, nurturing, and food. You need to be prepared to invest time and money into being a responsible pet owner.
Secondly, you need to think about the cost of owning a pet. Pet food, pet toys, pet supplies, and veterinary bill can add up in a hurry. Can you honestly afford it? If not, foregoing the choice to get a pet is probably your best bet.
Getting a Pet Dog:
While dogs are thought of as mans best friend, having a dog can be a big responsibility. Other than the smallest dogs, most need space to run around in, and you need to think about whether you want an “inside dog”, or an “outside dog”.
Regardless of the dog you choose as a pet, be prepared to spend some time on potty training, and at least basic obedience training. You may want to consider paying a dog training expert to help you with this time-consuming task. Otherwise, be prepared to buy a few books to learn how to train your dog correctly and wisely.
Unless yours is going to be an “outside dog” with plenty of space to roam around, you need to be prepared to exercise your dog by walking it several times each day. Walking a dog takes time, as does cleaning up after it, whether in your yard, or on your daily walks. And don’t forget that even “outside dogs” need your attention for frequent play sessions.
Feeding your dog, and making regular visits to the vet takes both time and money, as does training your dog, playing with it, and getting it toys and treats on occasion. If your dog has puppies, or develops health problems, things can get expensive quickly.
Also keep in mind that if you travel often, you need to think about whether you will board the dog while you are away, get a “pet sitter”, or take your pet dog with you. Either option can be time consuming and expensive, and traveling with a dog requires special advance planning for things like food, travel crates, and hotel accommodations.
Keeping Pet Cats:
While cats are generally much less trouble than dogs, and often pretty much fend for themselves, there are still many things to consider before getting a pet cat.
Cats need daily feeding, and you have to vary their diet between dry cat food and canned cat food. While most cats can pace themselves if you supply several days worth of food in a large bowl or automatic pet feeder, you still need to check on them every few days.
Even though they can seem aloof and independent, most cats love to play and cuddle, and you need to be prepared to give them that attention on a regular basis. You might even end up with two or more cats, just so they will have companionship.
Unless you plan to have him or her declawed and become a total “inside cat”, you need to provide some sort of mechanism for your pet cat to scratch its claws. You also need to be prepared to train your cat to scratch only where you want it to, or your furniture will suffer.
Finally, like any other pet, cats need routine veterinary care, and you need to think about whether you will want him or her spayed or neutered, in addition to preparing for the cost of possible disease or injury.
Birds as House Pets:
Having birds, especially parakeets, parrots, and cockatoos, is quite popular, but comes with its own set of considerations.
Lets face it: birds are messy, and sometimes smelly. You need to be prepared to clean up the area surrounding their cage, and clean the cage itself at least weekly. Your bird may also be noisy. Think carefully about whether that will be a joy or a nuisance for you and members of your family.
Birds require daily replenishment of food and water. While you might be able to get away with leaving them on their own for a day or two, that is about the limit. Having a bird turns out to be a daily responsibility, although less time consuming and expensive than having a dog or cat.
Keeping Fish or Reptiles as Pets:
While there is some initial setup cost, keeping fish or reptiles as pets can be less expensive and less time consuming than having a dog, cat, or bird. On the other hand, if you go all out and want exotic fish or reptiles, they can be quite expensive to buy.
Keep in mind also that having a fish or reptile entails the cost of food, as well as periodic cleaning of their tank. In the case of fish, you may have to spend quite a bit of time finding just the right chemical balance for the tank, and maintaining it.
Think carefully when deciding whether or not to keep a pet. Consider whether you have the time to devote to it, and the money to afford it. After all, having a pet is much like having a child. Don’t get involved unless you are willing to devote the time and money necessary to keep a happy and healthy pet!
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