Answers From a Pet Expert - Selecting The Best Pet For You

By: Paige Harbold

* Question: What is the best way to select the pet that is best for our family?

First and foremost, never purchase your new pet on impulse. Bringing a sweet little fur ball home just because it was adorable is rarely the best way to find a new pet.

Rather, you should discuss the matter of pets with your entire family. Don't forget to consider these points: daily feeding, personal attention, playtime, grooming, veterinary care and house training (if applicable). You may also want to ask each family member why they want a pet. Make sure your children understand that a pet is another family member, not just a toy, and the needs of the pet should be considered alongside other members of the family.

Then, review your lifestyle. Say, for instance, you live in a city apartment or work long hours. Then a cat, fish or bird may be considered. If you have a daily routine of jogging or running, then a dog might be appropriate for you.

To get a better idea of the needs of a potential pet, consider talking to breeders and other pet owners. Another good resource is to attend local pet shows and talk to the judges. Go online to search for specific breeds to learn more about the pet you are considering. Of course, it's always a good idea to consider the ages of your children when planning to purchase a new pet. Not only this, but consider the life expectancy of the pet for bonding purposes.

* Question: Should I get a pet from a shelter or a pet store?

Some people swear by animal shelters, while others prefer pet stores. Weighing the two, I feel it is recommended to look for a pet (especially dogs and cats) at a shelter. You'll find that animals at a shelter are well-cared for by the staff and having had much interaction with the staff, the animals are well-adapted to people. The shelter's staff can tell you quite a bit about the animals to help you find the pet that will be well-suited to you and your family. The staff can tell you which cat likes to curl up on your lap, which dog enjoys long walks and which animal will be good with children. In addition, animals from a shelter have already been checked and have received all of their needed immunizations and have already been neutered or spayed.

If, instead, you decide to look for a pet from a pet store, be sure that you get the pet store owner to give you a full briefing of the animal's disposition, primarily for dogs, cats and other animals that will need to interconnect with humans.

* Question: How do I determine what type of dog is best for me?

You should follow basic steps in choosing the right type of dog for you:

- Look for pet guides to learn about a particular dog breed's personality, background and temperament. Surf the internet for online guides that tell you about those kinds of dogs.

- Talk with a veterinarian to discuss details about the characteristics and disposition of the breed you are looking for. Ask questions to understand more about that breed.

- If you are planning to purchase a puppy at a pet store, make sure to ask for the animal's status -- such as its origin, behavioral problems, physical problems and the breed's anomalies. Otherwise, you can also get dogs or puppies from animal shelters or from a private breeder.

- Lastly, ask for your friends' assessments and experiences with various types of dogs they have owned.

Article Source: http://www.retirementlivingarticledirectory.com

Paige Harbold, a pet expert, gives her tips and tricks on themes such as how to Adopt a Pet and where to find the best Large Dog Cages. As editor of Pet-HQ.com, she shares expert pet information.

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