lizards, puppies, and birds…

Considerations For Choosing A Pet

story by | dr. teri-lee james and dr. tracie hoggarth

Getting a pet can be a wonderful and exciting endeavor. However, there are a few things to consider before welcoming a furry, feathered, or scaled friend into your family.

Budget

The initial adoption fee or purchase price of a pet will vary widely depending on species and breed of the animal and where the animal is coming from. It is important to realize, however, that the initial expense of acquiring a pet is a very small percentage of the total cost of owning and caring for that animal appropriately throughout his life.

Determine your available budget for pet-care costs. Be sure to consider costs associated with basic husbandry of the animal, including food, enclosures [kennels, fences, etc.], toys, and accessories [leashes, collars, litter boxes]. You should also consider the cost of socialization and/or obedience classes, particularly if you are getting a dog, and pet day care or other pet-sitting services if needed.

Finally, make sure that you will be able to cover the cost of veterinary care. Routine preventative veterinary care, including annual wellness exams [biannual exams, recommended for older pets, pets with chronic medical conditions, and exotic species], vaccinations, monthly parasite preventatives, de-sexing procedures [recommended for most dogs, cats, and rabbits], and routine dental cleanings, will be fairly easy to budget for, as it will be similar from year to year. Setting up an emergency fund for your pet and purchasing a pet insurance policy are great ways to prepare for any unexpected illness or injury.

Now that the practical job of setting a budget is done you can begin focusing on which pet is the right one for your family!

Time Commitment

All pets require a commitment of time, particularly upon introduction into a new home. Young animals, regardless of species or breed, are typically the most time consuming, as they will need to be socialized and trained and generally require more supervision. Young animals will also require more frequent veterinary visits, particularly in the first 12 months of life. Adult animals may already be trained or require less exercise than a young animal would, however, they may come with additional behavioral or health issues that require unexpected commitments of time.

Dogs, birds, cats, and ferrets generally require the most care and need consistent social interaction with their owners, although cats and ferrets can also be fairly independent and are generally able to be alone for longer periods of time than most dogs and birds. Small mammals, such as rabbits and rodents, also require consistent daily care but may not need or enjoy as much social interaction. Most species of reptile, amphibian, and fish have very specific husbandry needs [temperature and humidity control, highly specialized diets, etc.], however, once their environment is set up appropriately they have minimal daily care needs and may not require any type of social interaction.

When adopting a pet you should also consider the long-term time commitment. Dogs and cats can live well into their teens [with smaller breed dogs and some cats living beyond 20 years of age]; many species of birds and reptiles have life spans similar to ours; and most small mammals are considered geriatric at around two years of age. Make sure that you are willing and able to support a pet emotionally and financially throughout

Rules And Restrictions

Check your building and neighborhood rules or guidelines for pet ownership, as well as the city and state government, to be sure that you are allowed to keep the type and number of pets that you are planning for. This is particularly important if you are considering something other than a dog or cat.

At this point you have likely decided upon a dog, cat, or exotic pet based upon your budget, availability of time, and the regulations where you live. It is now time to narrow down the options!

Space And Lifestyle

If you have decided on an exotic species it is time to decide where in your home you will keep the enclosure. Big birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets need large enclosures and will likely also need some additional room to exercise. Smaller birds and rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and fish typically stay in their enclosures the majority of time and require less space. All exotic species need quiet areas protected from drafts and direct sun.

If you are planning to get a cat you will need to find space for a cat tree or other type of climbing and hiding structure, a place for food and water, and appropriate locations for litter boxes in quiet, low-traffic areas in the home. It is recommended that you provide one litter box per cat plus one additional [example: 1 cat = 2 litter boxes, 4 cats = 5 litter boxes]. If your cat will be going outdoors it is best to provide them with some type of fenced in, covered enclosure versus allowing them to run free. This will help prevent infectious disease transmission and predation and keep them safe from big dogs and cars!

If a dog is the pet for you then first consider the size of your home and yard and the activity level of your family. Generally, small dogs need less space, but they can also be very active and will need some room to run around or at least frequent walking. It is also important to consider your expectations for the dog. Do you want a hunting or running partner? Do you spend a lot of time at the lake and want a dog who enjoys swimming or a dog who is a great traveling companion? It is also important to consider how much time you are willing to spend grooming your pet. All dogs [and cats too!] need their teeth brushed regularly and require routine nail trimming, ear cleaning, bathing, and brushing. Some breeds also necessitate professional grooming.

Finding Your Pet

Now that you have done your research and are ready to welcome a pet into your family, start contacting local and regional animal rescue organizations to see if there are pets available for adoption in your area. Many rescue organizations have a variety of young and old, mixed and purebred animals available for adoption. There are also specific agencies that take in exotic pets and breed-specific rescues which are sometimes willing to transport animals to other parts of the country to place them into a good home. You can also contact a reputable breeder if you are considering a purebred dog or cat or exotic pet. Most breeders are happy for you to visit their facilities and introduce you to the parents and other relatives of your potential pet.

There are many aspects that should be considered before adding a pet to the family, but the rewards are immeasurable and well worth the time and energy needed to prepare for your new pet’s arrival!

Dr. Teri-Lee James and Dr. Tracie Hoggarth co-own and operate Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital in West Fargo, which is a small animal and exotic pet veterinary practice. The highly trained doctors and staff at Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital understand that pets are beloved members of the family. They work with clients to provide quality, compassionate medical care for their animal companions. For more information, visit www.tworiversveterinaryhospital.com or www. facebook.com/TwoRiversVeterinaryHospital.

Born and raised in Grand Forks, ND, John grew up the youngest of three boys He graduated from Concordia College before attending Medical School at the University of North Dakota John continued his quest in specialized medicine when he spent six years in North Carolina for neurosurgery training before moving back to North Dakota, where he currently shares a home with Kara, a fellow MD in Neurology and his wife of nine years, and their sons, Ian [5] and Alex [2] When John isn’t wearing his stethoscope and white coat as a Neurosurgeon at Sanford Health, he enjoys music, movies, BBQ, microbrews and craft beer, Sioux hockey, fishing, and hunting when he has time