Choosing a Pet

Pets add fun, companionship and love to our lives, but they’re also a big responsibility. Choosing to add a pet to your family is a very important decision.

Choosing the RIGHT pet

Whether you are looking for a cat, dog or small animal, it is important to select one that will fit best for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Here are some questions to ask yourself before deciding on a new pet.

What does your family look like? If you have children, consider how having a pet will affect them and if they would welcome having an animal in the home. Also, make sure you choose a pet that will do well with children your age specifically. All family members should be present when visiting with potential new pets.

How much time are you able to commit to a new pet? Dogs in general require more attention than cats (although many cats are very social and will enjoy daily pets, play time, and attention) and some dogs will have higher activity levels requiring more walks, enrichment, playtime, and training. Do you like to go for a run? Or do you prefer to be sedentary? Do you have a fenced-in yard? Do you live an apartment? How will the dog receive adequate walks and exercise?

While being extra cute, puppies are a huge commitment because they cannot be left home all day alone. Most need to go potty every few hours while being potty trained. Also, puppies need socialization with dogs and humans as well as new environments, sounds and experiences. In addition to learning basic cues, household manners, and more advanced training.

Some cats are going to be more outgoing and enjoy being held and carried. Others, will prefer more indepence and solitude. While they don’t need to be potty trained or go for walks, they do need special considerations: what types of litter boxes are best for them (and how many), how playful are they and what toys are their favorites, what types of scratching posts do they use more, and do they like being held and cuddled.

What pets do you already have in the home? Is it an older dog who would not like a younger puppy trying to play with him? Is it a cat that is terrified of dogs? They are members of the family as well, and while they cannot voice their input, their happiness and abilty to adjust to the new pet should be considered as well.

Owning a cat or a dog is a life-long commitment. Dogs can live up 10 to 15 years of age and cats can live up to 15 or even 20 years! Our staff at CHS is committed to helping you find the perfect fit for you family and lifestyle.

Is it the right time for you?

Take this quiz to help you decide if this is the best time to adopt a pet. Check the following events that have either occurred in your life in the past six months, or that you think may occur in the coming six months:

Divorce or end of a relationship
Marriage
Change in living arrangements (new roommates or moving in with significant other)
Move to a new residence
Pregnancy or new baby
Longer hours or increased responsibility at work
Financial concerns
Children leaving home or moving back home
Care-taking responsibilities for elderly or ill family member
Significant changes in family routine
Death of a family member
Death or disappearance of a family pet
Relinquishment of a pet (given away or brought to an animal shelter)
Significant health problems of a family member
Change in working status of a family member (begins work, changes jobs or retires)
Frequent travel, either for business or pleasure
Limited leisure or free time
Graduation from high school or college
Disagreement among family members about adopting a pet
Add one point for every pet you currently have (one aquarium counts as one pet)

SCORING

0-3: Your life seems fairly stable. Now is probably a reasonable time to acquire a pet.

4-6: You have a lot of responsibilities right now. Although adopting a pet may still work for you, a small mammal, adult cat, or well-trained, adult dog would probably be more appropriate than a kitten, puppy, or an active breed of dog.

7-10: Let’s think twice about this. With all the changes and responsibilities in your life right now, you may not have time to care for a new pet. It would probably be better for both you and the pet if you wait until your life settles down a bit.

10+: STOP! DON’T PASS GO! Acquiring a pet now is not a wise decision. Why not consider a pet rock or a “computer-pet” instead?