The
choice of a pet can have a bigger impact on a family or individual than almost
any other acquisition. Pets are fun, a source of affection, comfort and companionship
- and they need daily attention. For a cat that can mean 7,300 days (twenty years)
of care. Some dogs live almost as long, and some birds will live even longer.
Yet
choosing a pet is often a hit-or-miss proposition. While the chance encounter
with the litter next door might lead to a long-lasting relationship, studies show
that pets acquired on impulse are less likely to be kept throughout their lives.
With
a little homework and planning, you can avoid common pitfalls and find the right
pet for you.
1.
Begin with an open mind. Choosing the right pet means putting old biases
aside. Just because you grew up with a dog doesn't mean a dog is the right pet
for you now, especially if the dog will be left alone all day and have little
opportunity for exercise. You might be better off adopting two indoor cats who
can entertain each other.
Keeping
an open mind means not being swayed by a child's pleas for a boa constrictor because
a friend or a celebrity has one. The pet that fits well in another household may
not fit into yours at all. When the fad passes (as it almost certainly will) and
children lose interest, Mom and Dad are left in charge of a pet they might not
particularly like.
It
means avoiding "pet du jour" purchases, such as the Dalmatians that
become popular each time Disney releases a version of 101 Dalmatians. Although
Dalmatians are lovely dogs, they shed constantly and have a high energy level
- the right dog for a few people, but not for all.
It
means thinking about types of pets you may not be familiar with: hamsters, birds,
rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, and even "fancy" mice and rats, in addition
to dogs and cats.
2.
Consult Your Heart. A pet should be a loved family member, not a burden.
Your pet's characteristics should be compatible with your personality and interests.
Think about what animals you like and enjoy.
The
ideal pet for Joan, who loves to curl up on the sofa and read, may be a quiet
cat who will snuggle at her feet. Luke shudders at the thought of a cat and wants
an active dog who will jog and play Frisbee with him.
While
not every member of a family has to love the pet with equal fervor, everyone in
the household must be accepting of, not hostile to or afraid of, the pet.
3.
Add Information. Learn more about the pets that appeal to you. Do a little
research on the internet or in the library, even if you think that you already
know it all. You may be surprised to discover how much new information is available
about companion animals, from understanding behavior to innovative training techniques
and veterinary advances.
Find
answers to at least a few basic questions: How long is this pet likely to live?
How big will she grow? How much space indoors does she need, or how much outdoor
exercise? How much time, each day, will you spend caring for her? What can you
expect to spend, annually, on food, veterinary expenses, or other costs such as
training or grooming? Does she shed a lot, or live in a cage or enclosed habitat
that might smell? Is her personality sociable, aloof, noisy, quiet, shy or playful?
If you have children, is she too frail for young children to handle, or too rough
for them to play with?
4.
Take an Inventory. Take a quick but realistic inventory of your resources
and circumstances. How much time, each day, are you or family members able and
willing to devote to caring for a pet? How much money are you prepared to spend,
not merely to acquire a pet, but to provide equipment, veterinary care, a healthy
diet? Do you have a fenced-in yard, proximity to a park, or is there adequate
space for an indoor habitat?
Will
your resources allow you to comfortably meet this pet's physical and social needs?
If the answer is "no" or only a tentative yes, take a look at some other
types of pets.
5.
Consider Special Circumstances. Before you make a final decision, think
carefully about special circumstances that would make it difficult or impossible
for you to keep or properly care for the pet you want. Does your lease or condo
agreement prohibit some pets? Are you or a family member allergic to certain pets?
Who will care for your pet when you are working late or traveling?
If
you have children, think about their ages, temperaments, interests, and physical
abilities in relation to a pet. Children up to age five should not be left alone
with a pet because of the risk of injury -- to your child, the pet, or both. Are
you willing to take on this supervisory task?
Once
you've completed a decision-making process, remember that you can select from
many choices. For almost every individual or family, a good match is possible.
Cats
have replaced dogs as America's most popular pets, no doubt because cats do not
have to be walked outdoors and thus their care can more easily be fit into today's
hectic lifestyles.
A
dog may be the right choice if you or your children can spend a lot of time exercising
and playing with a canine family member.
Small
mammals include fancy mice and fancy rats, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters,
rabbits. These small creatures, residing in an indoor cage or vivarium, are increasingly
popular. All of these pets need daily human attention and some need company of
their own kind.
Birds
can be charming, endearing companions. They are intelligent and sociable. Unless
you get two lovebirds, two canaries, or several finches (who will then bond with
one another, rather than with you), birds require substantial daily human interaction.
Fish
may be right for you if your family is pressed for time, beset by allergies, or
limited by prohibitions in a lease. An aquarium is a miniature ecosystem, often
fascinating to both children and adults. Setting up an aquarium can be time-consuming,
but daily feeding takes only a moment, and weekly maintenance can be accomplished
in half an hour or less.
Exotic
pets, including most reptiles and amphibians, often appeal to children, especially
teens. But non-traditional pets of all kinds are harder, and generally more expensive,
to care for. The transmission of salmonella bacteria from reptiles to humans is
a serious health issue. Most individuals and families are wise to choose a more
traditional pet.
Finally,
don't forget to have fun. The process of choosing a pet can be fun for the whole
family, and the rewards are many.
Mary Jane Checchi is the author of ARE YOU THE PET FOR ME? CHOOSING THE RIGHT
PET FOR YOUR FAMILY (St. Martin's Press).
