Find Which Pet Is Right for Your
Editor:How To Pet Add to favorites list Send to friend. Reads.:
How To Keep Dogs and Cats From Fighting
Bring a towel or blanket home with the scent of the new pet to get your other pet used to it before bringing the new pet home. You might want to place it under your current pet’s food bowl.
..:::How To Pet
Consider the following questions. Is someone home during the day or would your pet be alone most of the time? Do you work late or at night? Is there a pet sitter available to you when your hours are odd or you are traveling?
Pets don't only cost time, they have a substantial financial cost as well. Can you afford a pet? The average cost of owning a dog is $600 a year, and cat you will about $300 a year on a cat.
Like for yourself or a child, you'll have to pay for annual and emergency visits to the veterinarian. Food, grooming, accessories like leashes and dishes are also major costs. don't forget to add the cost of boarding and care for when you go on vacation. Boarding alone adds an average of $35 a day to a vacation.
Think about your family, and what kind of pet makes a good fit. Think about the traits of your ideal pet. Sit down with your spouse or any other family members and brainstorm a list of "ideal characteristics." If the list is too long, or if it has contradictory list items, you need more time for discussion. Some example things to consider are: Do you need a pet that will get along with children or older people? Some breeds are known for being high energy while others are more relaxed. Is there anyone in your family who is allergic to pets or pet hair?
Your physical space makes a difference as well. What kind of pet would best fit your home? Do you have a yard or do you have limited space? Are you near open space such as a park?
Some pets, like large dogs just aren't suited for life in an apartment or small home. If you don't live near a park or safe neighborhood to walk a dog, perhaps you'd be better off with a cat or other pet that doesn't need as much excercise.
How much patience do you have? Puppies and kittens are darn cute, but they can torture even the kindest and most patient owners. Deciding on an older or younger pet is a major decision.
If you get a puppy or kitten, you will need to spend a time training it, but if you adopt an older animal, it may not need as much training.