10 Things to consider before purchasing a pet
Adding another person to a family can be quite an adjustment. Whether you're expecting a bundle of joy, taking in an exchange student, or bringing grandma to live with you, there are many things to consider. Adding a pet is no exception.
Here are some things to consider before choosing man's best friend.
- Size-Choosing the size of a dog is something that is important to consider. An already large family may not have the room for a big dog.
- Housing-It's also important to consider the amount of room that an animal will have to live. Housing a large dog in a small apartment may not be a good choice but getting a smaller dog may be a better way to go. If living in a larger area such as a house or even a town home, the size of the dog may not be an issue because there is ample room for them to live.
- Temperament-A dog's personality or "attitude" is something crucial to consider before making a purchase. Many people want a dog for protection so some pick breeds like a Pit-bull, German Sheppard, or a Rottweiler. These dogs are good to keep the family safe but may not be a good choice for families with young children or other pets. Dogs like Yorkie Poos, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians usually get along well with other animals and are good with children.
- Attention-Like people, animals need attention, especially puppies. They need someone to play with and give them lots of love. If a family doesn't have this type of time, adding a pet may not be a wise choice.
- Age-Although children love puppies, an adult dog may be easier to live with because they are usually trained and know how to interact with other animals and children.
- Obedience-Some people may not have the skills or the patience to train an animal so they choose to put them in obedience school or hire a dog trainer to do the work for them. Trainers can be beneficial because they can handle the struggles with house-training, chewing, barking, etc.
- Gifts-Although the thought is nice it isn't always a good idea to purchase a puppy as a pet. Whether it be for an adult or a child it's always a good idea to find out the long term plans that the recipient would have for their life and the animal.
- Expenses-The amount to purchase an animal can be quite expensive but once they are brought home the cost of keeping them doesn't decrease. They still need food, toys, and visits to the vet. Going over the family expenses prior to purchasing a pet will help determine whether or not they can afford the extra costs.
- Purchase or Adopt-If cost is a factor, adopting a pet may be the better way to go. When adopting an animal you pay a flat rate and they have already had their shots, medical visits, and they are either spayed or neutered. If purchasing, you will have to pay upfront for the animal and an additional amount for vet appointments and shots.
- Store or Breeder-The majority of the pet stores have full bred animals that come with papers. However they raise the cost of the animals so they can make a profit. Although it may be easier to pick a puppy out of a window doing a little research for a breeder may keep costs down and you can see the parents on site.
Adding a pet to a family is an exciting event. Having a plan and sticking to it will make the process easier and hopefully lessen the stress.
