Choosing
a pet
Here are some
practical tips that one should consider before acquiring a pet:
Your Lifestyle
If you work all day, travel frequently, or keep irregular hours
with nobody at home to look after your pet, then owning one should not
be considered. This sounds very drastic, but it takes into consideration
the welfare and emotional stress of a pet in isolation and boredom. Simply
put; if you have
no time for a pet…a pet has no time for you!
Your Home
Do your public or private estates allow pets to be kept? If noise
and mess is a factor, then consider a cat, or a hamster as a pet. Some
birds eg. finches and canaries are also good alternatives in this case.
Space available
This is an important consideration for dogs in general. Dogs
love to run and smell out new areas as part of their territorial behaviour.
Keeping a dog tied up to a pole is no excuse for bad behavior. Speak
to your vet or a behavioral trainer on ways to solve these issues.
Housing
Each type of pet has its own basic requirements. For birds in
general, it is always safer to get a bigger cage…(ie 1.5 times the
wingspan). Reptiles do well in temperature controlled aquariums. Cats
enjoy a soft cushion igloo, while cages for dogs have to be an appropriate
size, protected from rain and shine, and have soft padding to prevent
pressure sores.
Costs involved
Be aware that the cost of a pet never ends the moment you leave
a pet shop. Instead it is usually where it begins. Food, veterinary healthcare,
emergencies, deworming and vaccinations are all part and parcel of responsible
pet ownership. You have to be prepared financially to keep pets…as
their companionship is priceless!
 Commitment
This means giving 2-3 hrs every day for training exercise and
play! The average lifespan for dogs and cats are 12 years. Some birds
can live up to 60-70 years (eg. parrots). A hamster on the other hand
may live for only 2-3 years!
Young or adult?
This is entirely up to you. Adults may be fully trained, neutered
and vaccinated. They are usually a lot easier to manage. However bad
habits may have been already acquired. The young is like a baby. They
need care, attention and patience.
Pets and children
If you are getting an adult dog, please make sure that they are
safe for children. Think carefully about a breed when choosing. Certain
breeds are selectively bred for fighting and aggression. If you get a
puppy, make sure that children are gentle with it - they need to be observed.
Puppies need a lot of rest, so play sessions should be limited to 30
minute periods, 2-3 times a day. This is the best time to teach your
children about the responsibilities of keeping pets. It is usually best
to make it their responsibility too.
Where should
I get my pet?
It is advisable to get your pet from a REPUTABLE breeder. Always
ask to see the mother and father..and essentially their documents. This
is to avoid unscrupulous breeders who indiscriminately breed animals
with poor genetics in poor hygiene conditions.
Never get a puppy
from a street hawker!
Never get your puppy
from a puppy farm! (without proper documents)
If you're answering
a newspaper advertisement always ask to see their puppies with their
mothers at home!
You may consider
getting your dog from an animal shelter eg. SPCA or from a Vet. These
organisations often have many abandoned pets looking for homes.
Before accepting
a pet always look for the following:
Some
criteria for a healthy pet
1. Bright,
Alert, Responsive
2. Confident,
Relaxed and Friendly
3. Clear, bright
eyes
4. Shiny, glossy
full coat/feathers
5. Good body
condition
6. No discharge,
coughing, sneezing or diarrhoea
It is good practice
to take your newly acquired pet to the vet for a general health check.
Your vet will discuss with you on diet, training, vaccinations, deworming,
flea and tick control, heartworm prevention and neutering. Puppies
that come from unscrupulous breeders usually have poor immunity and
are susceptible to disease. Hence the stigma "Prevention is
better than cure! |
