Welcome to the furry pal

Having a furry pal at your home should be a commitment that, despite its many rewards, includes some sacrifices. Whether financial, training, housing or just daily upkeep requirements, you must be prepared for new and often unexpected responsibilities. Before you ever take an animal into your life, you must check the following things:

Choose the type of pet you want
What type of pet are you looking for? Short of feeding and water maintenance there is usually no interaction required with fish. Though cats generally tend to be more independent than dogs, both require more of a relationship commitment from their owners. Birds with appropriate upbringing and training can also be friendly and entertaining.

Plan ahead for pet care
Pets have expenses associated with them. Veterinary check-ups, preventive care (vaccines, etc.), spay/neuter, and other associated medical costs can become expensive. Veterinary insurance can help defray some of these costs, but food, grooming, boarding, licensing, etc., can still quickly add up.

Find the right match
Consider your lifestyle in comparison to the needs of the pet. Some dogs demand their twice daily runs, while others prefer to snooze on the couch. How much time will this pet remain alone at home? The hyperactive terrier will probably not tolerate long stints alone without boredom steering him into trouble. In contrast, a sedentary cat may not mind being alone for a day or two.

Consider time management
While selecting the right pet for you, keep in mind the age of the pet you wish to adopt. Do you have the time and patience to housetrain a puppy? Don’t forget, some puppies may be more difficult to train than others. Kittens tend to be highly active and really like to climb and play.

Take your new pet for veterinary exam
Once you have your special animal companion, be sure to have your veterinarian perform a thorough physical examination and discuss with you preventive care, nutrition, and housing and any other special needs your new pet may have.