|
If you think marriage is a big commitment, try getting a demanding pet. It's too easy to make the leap into pet ownership without considering all the pros and cons of your decision. Without some foresight, you could be landed with a puppy that just won’t stop barking or a goldfish you find floating in its bowl when you suddenly remember you haven't fed it in four days. The way to avoid such disasters is to take the time to think about how to match your pet to your lifestyle.
The time factor
Do you have trouble finding time to connect with your significant other at the end of the day? Do you routinely bring work home? Perhaps you have an ever-lengthening list of names by the phone, of people you keep meaning to call back? If this thumbnail sketch bears a pretty close resemblance to the way your lifestyle currently looks, the biggest mistake you could make is to get yourself a high-maintenance pet.
The high-maintenance label doesn't just apply to boisterous puppies who need to be walked and dropped off at training school, however. Kittens, when very young, can also require a lot of time and attention. You may not have to walk them, but you'll still need to toilet-train them, clean up the
"accidents" deposited on your new rug, and take them to your vet for shots and de-sexing.
Sit down for a minute with a copy of your schedule for an average week. How much time can you realistically devote to nurturing another living creature? If your life is really this hectic, and you're already struggling to meet the demands placed on you, perhaps your best option is to pick out the cutest pet rock you can find. It might not come running when you call it, but you can be sure you won't find a more low-maintenance pet.
What do you want from your new pet?
Your motivation is a really important factor when including an animal in your life. Are you looking for some non-demanding company, or an affectionate ball of fur that will greet you ecstatically when you get home every night?
Remember, getting a pet represents an ongoing commitment, and you need to be clear on what you want from your new pet, and why - long before you head out to the pet store or animal shelter.
What about the "hidden extras"?
Don't make the mistake of thinking that the financial aspect of getting a new pet is over right after you pay your money to the pet store owner and walk out the door with your new friend. Most animals will also require some medical attention during the course of their lives.
If you have yourself a young animal, chances are it will need shots and probably sterilization as well. And if your pet is injured during its lifetime, it may need to be taken back to the vet for another (possibly expensive) visit.
Like cars, pets also come with day-to-day running expenses. Dog food, kitty litter, collars, flea treatments, heartworm tablets, sleeping baskets...most animals require a certain amount of daily upkeep. So as well as being clear on how much time you have available to devote to your new pet, take a good hard look at your budget, too, before you leave for the pet store.
A word about strays.
Adopting a homeless animal is a wonderful thing to do. You get to save the life of an abandoned living creature, and make a new friend at the same time. Just make sure you give due consideration to whether you have the time, money and energy to care for this needy animal for the rest of its life.
You don't want to traumatize the animal further by taking it back to the shelter a week later, having found that it was a burden rather than the easiest friend you ever made.
Here, then, is a quick guide to which kind of pet is most likely to suit your particular lifestyle:
High maintenance pets (require considerable time, money and energy commitment): kittens, puppies, dogs;
Medium maintenance pets (require regular feeding and clean cages): older cats, birds, mice, medium-large aquariums, rabbits, guinea pigs;
Low maintenance pets (require minimum upkeep): goldfish, rock crabs, and wild birds – just feed them in the park whenever you feel the urge!
It's worth taking the time to make sure your pet matches your lifestyle. The wrong pet can make you feel pressured and guilty, but the right choice of animal can bring an enthusiastic, affectionate and friendly presence into your life every day.
| 
