Many of us have had pets for years. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have some sort of pet, from something as tiny as a fish up to my beloved Great Dane, Harleigh. There are many first-timers out there that have never owned a pet. Choosing the type of pet to bring into your home is not a decision that should be made lightly. There are many things to consider. The following are three questions to ask yourself when choosing a pet.
How Often Will You Be Away?
If you travel a lot or work long hours, you need to consider who will take care of your pet while you’re away. There are many options, including professional pet sitters like us, boarding facilities, and having a loved one look after your pet. A pet’s needs can range from having someone come by and walk Fido while you’re at work to coming by and changing Kitty’s litter box while you’re on vacation. Dogs require more care than cats when you consider their need for exercise and potty breaks. Cats require more care than caged small mammals, and so on. The amount of time you can commit to caring for your pet should be a determining factor in the type of pet you decide to bring home.
How Active Are You?
Let’s say you’ve done your research and have decided you want a dog. Great! What kind of dog? If you’re a jogger who wants to be able to take your companion with you, then you want to focus more on your active breeds like Border Collies, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers. If you want a couch potato or a dog that doesn’t require quite as much exercise, you’ll want to look at a more calm breed like a Basset Hound or a Great Dane.
While cats don’t require daily walks and potty breaks, cats deserve daily human attention and interaction. While some cats may appear to be independent, cats require playtime, enrichment, and training. If you can’t quite commit to meeting a dog or cat’s needs, then you may want to consider a low-maintenance caged animal like a hermit crab or hamster. No matter what you choose, please remember that your pet is a living, breathing, and feeling being and deserves to be properly cared for.
What’s Your Budget?
By doing your research, you can calculate a fairly accurate budget to cover the costs of acquiring a pet as well as the cost of the initial supplies you’ll need. In addition, you’ll want to budget for ongoing costs such as a quality diet, veterinary care, and pet care while you’re at work and/or traveling. In addition, you’ll want to consider the “what ifs” by working toward an emergency fund or purchasing pet insurance to help cover unexpected illnesses and injuries.
It’s essential to keep in mind that every pet is different. You may encounter surprises in personality, activity level, and behavior once your pet is home therefore, you’ll want to plan for the unexpected. If you’re not sure, then keep considering your options. The perfect companion will be waiting when you are ready!
Once you’ve chosen your pet, we’ll be ready to care for them while you’re at work and traveling. We offer pet sitting and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress. To learn more about our team and our services, contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015.
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