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Thinking of a Pet?
Thinking of a Pet?
Have your children been bugging you about getting a dog or a cat? Do you feel like you need company? Or do you just want to add to your family? Getting and keeping a pet takes a lot of thought and work.
Do you know what king of pet you want? Do you want a dog? A Cat? A Fish? A Bird? You need to know why you are getting a pet and what type of pet works with the lifestyle you are leading. If you are gone a lot and want minimal fuss, a dog probably is not the best option. Maybe, a cat or a fish would work better for you. If you have children, then you need to make sure your pet likes children. Not all dogs and not all cats interact with children well. Then you have to decide if you want a "designer" breed, or if you are wanting to rescue a pet from the animal shelter. Personally, there are enough pets in the animal shelters that you should be able to find one that you would love. Please visit one and give them a chance.
You need to be prepared for a pet once you have one. Here are some items you should think about:
- Pet bed
- Pet crate
- Pet food
- Pet food and water bowls
- Pet collar with ID tags and current rabies tags
- Pet toys
- Pet treats
- Pet leash
- Pet seatbelts
Other things to keep into consideration:
- Spray or neuter your pet (In six years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs)
- Visit a veterinarian at least once a year for routine check-up and shots
- Administer medication as recommended such as monthly Heartworm Prevention and Flea/Tick/Parasite preventatives
- Include your pet in your disaster plan
- Take your pet to an obediance class if need be
- Do not leave pets in parked cars, especially during the summer months
- Take your pets in for grooming or do it yourself
- Know what foods are bad for your pets
- Exercise your pet
- Play with your pet
- LOVE your pet
- If you realize that you cannot keep your pet, find another home or take it to a shelter. Do not abandon your pet.
Disclaimer: This site and its services are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. See full disclaimer.
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