Selecting a Pet
Before acting on impulse to acquire a pet, take time to consider the commitment. A dog, cat or any other pet is a living, sensitive creature. Each one is an individual, requiring life-long medical care beyond any initial financial investment. The cost of pet food and supplies should also be considered. Large-breed dogs live an average of at least 10 years. Smaller dogs can live up to 15 years or more. Some cats, kept indoors with regular health maintenance, may live up to 20 years. Pets require continued daily investment of your attention and energy. They should be guided with gentle but consistent practice toward desirable behavior. Their needs do not cease when you are tired or preoccupied, when you leave for vacation or when the weather is bad. Consider who among your friends and family would be willing to act as secondary caregivers and ask for their opinion. How will your current pets be affected by an additional pet? Do not acquire a pet of any kind if your decision is based on frivolous needs or spontaneous urges. Put yourself in the animal's place. Think about it.
Dog or Cat? (or for that matter, something else!)
When you have decided that your life has room for a pet, the
next step is to select the appropriate pet for you. Do not be
misled by popular misconceptions that all cats are antisocial
toward people or that no one should have a dog unless they own
a house with a yard. Neither should you limit your options to
a dog or cat. You may find great pleasure in a pet rabbit, bird
or an aquarium of fish. Be open-minded and consider all the options.
A pet dog requires a bigger investment of time and energy than
does a cat. Regardless of size or breed, a dog should be walked
on a leash for a minimum of 20 minutes at least twice daily. It
is not enough to let it out into the backyard, nor can it be allowed
to roam unsupervised in the neighborhood. Also, a dog must be
taught acceptable behavior as soon as it enters your home. Obedience
training should be practiced daily. Dogs make wonderful pets if
they are given ample opportunity for exercise, play and social
interaction with their owners. If you are a first-time pet owner,
a large-breed dog is probably not the best choice. A smaller dog
will be easier to manage so that you can perfect your obedience
skills and acquire experience. The approaches to raising dogs
of any size are identical. Train a small dog the same way you
would train a large one. You would not want a Great Dane to jump
up on your guests, so do not tolerate this behavior in a Lhasa
Apso. You would not train a German Shepherd to void on newspaper,
so take your Yorkshire Terrier out for at least 2 walks every
day. While most dogs enjoy playing with people, cats can generally
amuse themselves. Most cats enjoy interacting with their owners
but are often content to play alone. Cats do not need to be let
outdoors to live a happy and healthy life. In fact, they are better
off remaining exclusively indoors. They may adapt better to smaller
homes or apartments than do some dogs. Cats do not need to be
walked, though a cat can learn to walk on a leash. Though their
activities can be more solitary, cats thrive on attention and
social contact with their owners. Cats have a very different social
nature from dogs. Cats tend to be more discreet and unassertive
than dogs, but they can be as attentive and responsive as any
dog. A cat's relatively small size and independent nature make
it an attractive candidate for small living quarters and busy
households.
Male or Female?
Males tend to be larger than females and may be more active in
general. Females may be easier to train and less destructive.
They may not play as roughly as males, but both sexes are equally
playful. Males tend to be more aggressive toward other males in
particular and aggressive behavior may be more easily provoked.
Males may be less tolerant of children. Dominance aggression in
males is more common. This does not mean that females are not
aggressive or are always calm and sweet-tempered, nor does this
suggest that male cats or dogs are not responsive to their owners.
There is probably no difference between the sexes in territorial
aggression or the demand for affection. The decision between a
male and female is one of your own preference. The fundamental
guideline is to choose a healthy pet with a good temperament.
Physical beauty and gender should be secondary considerations.
Avoid selecting a pet that remains extremely shy and intolerant
to handling over more than one visit. An overly anxious pup, for
example, is most likely to remain so as an adult. The most assertive
pup of a litter is likely to become extremely dominant as an adult.
If you choose a pet that displays any temperamental extremes,
be prepared for life-long challenges. This may be particularly
true for dogs. Testing a puppy's temperament during the first
few months of life can be misleading. Pups go through phases of
development that are largely influenced by their environment.
A pet's earliest experiences influence it throughout its lifetime.
If you want a pet that is good with children, for example, your
chances are probably better with a pet that was born into a household
with (and handled by) children. This can be more important for
pets adopted as adults or even older than 3 months of age. With
proper training from the start, even difficult pups can grow into
exceptional pets. Look for the pet that has the traits you desire,
but in moderation. This does not mean that the average pup or
kitten will not have behavioral or medical problems, but it will
have a better chance of developing only average, and not extreme,
problems. Have your new pet examined by a veterinarian soon after
adoption. If any serious health problems are detected, you will
be able to deal with them more objectively if a deep bond is not
yet formed. If you or your veterinarian suspect a behavior problem,
seek the advice of a veterinary behavior consultant in your area.
Resolving a problem early can prevent problems later.
Allergies to Animals
Most cats and dogs shed hair and require regular grooming, depending
on the breed. Any allergy you may have to either dogs or cats
may influence your choice. There is no such thing as a "hypoallergenic"
dog or cat. A person's allergic reactions to dogs or cats vary,
not only with the species and breed, but between individual animals
within a breed. A person might develop a rash from direct contact
with one Dalmatian dog yet have no reaction to another Dalmatian.
While some breeds, such as the Poodle dog or Rex cat, shed less
because of the quality of their hair, a person may still be allergic
to them. If you are allergic to pets but wish to own one anyway,
you may eventually find a breed that poses no health problem to
you. Remember, however, that it is still possible to develop an
allergy to a pet long after you have acquired the animal. If you
have allergies to pets, it can be very helpful to restrict a pet
from access to your bedroom or confine it to a limited area of
your home. Some pet owners have found it helpful to make extra
efforts to keep pets clean. Avoid bathing your pet too frequently,
however, as this can cause skin problems. An alternative to bathing
may be to regularly wipe your pet with a dampened cloth. Dry shampoos
can also be effective in absorbing oils and odors. Bear in mind
that you could develop sensitivities to the products you use on
your pet. Keep your home well vacuumed and well ventilated. If
allergies to your pet create serious medical problems, do not
jeopardize your health. If you cannot enjoy having a pet, your
pet cannot enjoy being with you. Placing your pet in another happy
home will benefit everyone in the long run.
Selecting a Breed
Because there is less variation in size between cats as compared
with dogs, size is more of a consideration in selecting a dog.
While it is important to consider the size of your home, do not
rule out larger dogs because you live in an apartment. You may
be able to provide enough excercise and activity outside when
you are home so that your pet is content to rest quietly until
your return. Certain cat and dog breeds, such as the Himalayan
cat and the Samoyed dog, require constant brushing. Some pets
require professional grooming several times a year. Speak with
pet groomers and other pet owners to get their opinions about
the frequency and cost to groom a breed that interests you. This
may help to make a selection. Also ask about the amount that the
breed sheds. Every pet has a normal odor that may be typical of
the species, breed or individual. Every pet owner has preferences
as to what is an acceptable odor and what is not. These, too,
should be considered. Avoid choosing a cat or dog breed because
it is in fashion. Popular breeds may have a higher incidence of
inbred diseases or poor temperaments. Some pet breeders are not
as careful when they are under pressure to supply an increased
demand for the animals they breed. Do not limit yourself to purebred
pets. Dogs and cats of mixed breeds may give you the advantage
of a variety of breeds all in one. Hybrids may also be less prone
to inherited health problems seen in purebred pets. Also, many
mixed-breed dogs and cats in animal shelters need a good home.
Sources for Pet Adoption
Pets are available through a variety of sources. Professional
breeders of purebred dogs, animal shelters, pet stores, neighbors
and newspaper advertisements may all offer pets for adoption.
Veterinarians sometimes help place pets in good homes by sheltering
strays or serving as contacts for clients that can no longer keep
a pet. Adopting a pet through animal shelters is a wonderful way
to save a healthy animal from becoming a sad statistic of pet
overpopulation. Be cautious of pet store puppies. Unethical breeders
continue to mass produce animals for profit without regard for
the quality of pups produced or the quality of the lives of their
breeding dogs. Spend time with the animal before making a final
selection. Ask that it be reserved for you for at least one day
and return later to have another look. A pet that is calm when
you first visit it, for example, may just be sleepy and could
exhibit undesirable traits when it is more awake. Inquire about
any known history regarding the pet's breeder, lineage, early
environment or behavior or health problems. Make an appointment
to have your pet examined by your veterinarian and ask for an
opinion about the pet's physical and behavioral presentation.
Some problems develop over time and may not be immediately evident,
but at least you can identify those that are initially obvious.
Age at Adoption
The age at which a cat or dog is adopted influences a number
of advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of acquiring a
kitten or puppy is that it will be exposed to you during a critical
stage in its formation. To develop healthy social skills with
people, pups require positive exposure during a critical phase.
The socialization period of puppies is generally between 6 and
13 weeks of age, though it may be earlier for kittens. Newborn
puppies or kittens should be handled for short periods every day
to increase their tolerance of social interaction with people.
An animal that has been confined during this stage in its development
or that has had unstable relationships with people during this
time may develop undesirable behavior. As long as the animal has
been exposed to people under happy circumstances early in life,
it will likely bond normally to new owners. If possible, arrange
to meet one or both of the dog's parents, as many temperament
traits are inherited. Pets acquired as adults may be more attractive
to pet owners seeking to avoid the high energy levels of young
pets or the basic training required to house train a pet. Some
prospective pet owners hesitate to adopt an adult pet because
they will not own it for as long as a pet adopted soon after birth.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of longevity even in a pet
that is raised from an early age. Many treasures may be overlooked
because of an owner's projected fear of losing a cherished companion
in the future.
Sources of Information
Visit your local public library and speak with friends, neighbors
and, of course, your veterinarian. Everyone has an opinion about
breed preference and is eager to offer advice. Many books about
breed characteristics have been written, some of them based on
valid scientific surveys and research. Keep in mind that there
are always exceptions to sweeping generalities. There is tremendous
variation between individuals of a breed, though there may be
many common physical traits and behavioral tendencies. Make your
own decision based on your research. Your selection should not
be based on whim or purely on the physical appeal of a pet. Base
your selection on the pet's health, basic good temperament, short-term
and long-term care requirements, projected adult size, gender,
individual history, origin and, last of all, physical appearance.
Checklist for Pet Selection
Before adopting a pet, consider:
* your motivation (whim or well-planned goal)
* financial investment (short-term, long-term)
* required changes (removing valuable objects, tolerating
* occasional accidents, placing screens on windows to prevent
escape)
* adult size (small, medium, large)
* breed characteristics, physical attributes (activity
* level, hair length)
* gender
* time and energy for pet's daily maintenance (exercise, grooming,
play, affection)
* municipal and state regulations regarding pets
* your previous experience (basic obedience training, house
training)
* a secondary caretaker (if you leave on vacation or become
ill)