Getting A Pet

Pets come in all shapes and sizes. From a 30g Russian Dwarf hamster to a 75kg Great Dane dog, people enjoy the company of these extremes and everything in between in their homes. But if you are new to pet ownership or thinking of adding to your furry family members, how do you choose which pet would be best for you?

Louise with Bertie

Here are some things to think about:

Do you have time for a pet? Dogs in particular need a big commitment of time. Healthy adult dogs should be walked for 30-60 minutes twice daily depending on the breed. Some breeds need a very active lifestyle, and you should be prepared to walk miles and miles with them every day! Other breeds are happy with a potter around the garden or local park.

Training a puppy to follow commands and behave in a reliable manner takes months of constant work which continues into adulthood. Are you at home during the day or will you need someone to check in on your dog or a walker to take them out?

Cats and small mammals require less of your time but should still have dedicated time each day for play and interaction as well as feeding, grooming, cleaning litter trays and enclosures.

What space do you have? Medium and large dog breeds need a decent size of enclosed garden to play and run around in. Is there enough room in your home for pet beds, toys, food and drink bowls, litter trays or even a hutch?

Who else lives in the household? If small children are present or planned for, consider how different breeds of dog are likely to accept or fit in around them.

In most circumstances cats are not happy about new puppies or kittens entering their household – although they will usually learn to tolerate them!

Can you afford a pet? Puppies can be very expensive to buy initially but the ongoing costs of a pet are more important to think about as these will be lifelong. For a medium breed dog, the initial set up costs are around £400 and ongoing is likely to be £75-100 per month.

Unexpected veterinary care can add to this significantly and we always recommend people take out pet health insurance to cover these costs if they might struggle to find money at short notice. For example, emergency surgery and after care for a dog or cat with a broken leg or gut obstruction is likely to cost £2000-3000.

Should you buy a puppy/kitten or take on a rescue? Buying from a breeder: Ensure they are a reputable and licensed breeder. Look for registration with The Kennel Club or Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Check puppies or kittens have had the correct health checks for inherited diseases.

You should always have the opportunity to see a puppy or kitten with their mother and other litter mates. Has it been socialised and used to living in a family home with sights, smells, noises, children and other pets? What is the temperament of the mother? Research the health problems that are more likely to affect specific breeds like breathing difficulties, allergic skin disease, joint dysplasia and heart disease.

Taking on a rescue pet: There are many rescue centres which import dogs from abroad to be rehomed. While these dogs do need someone to care for them, many are emotionally traumatised and need a lot of behavioural support and training to settle into their new environment. There is also a high risk of them having exotic diseases which need life long veterinary care. Before looking abroad, always check UK rehoming centres and charities.

For more information look up PDSA.org.uk, thekennelclub.org.uk or gccfcats.org

Louise Turley BVM&S MRCVS Director & Veterinary Surgeon w: www.mulberryhousevets.co.uk t: 0118 402 8822

Mulberry House Vets is an independently owned veterinary practice in Wokingham. We are proud to offer an exceptional quality of health care along with a friendly and compassionate service – doing the right thing for our patients and their families always comes first. With our strongly experienced team and modern purpose-built facilities, your pets are assured gold-standard surgical and clinical expertise. As well as routine consultations, vaccinations and procedures; we offer all types of surgery including key hole, orthopaedics and dentistry.

0118 4028822 | hello@mulberryhousevets.co.uk | www.mulberryhousevets.co.uk