You are ready to bring a pet home to meet your brood - but what kind of animal should you get? There are some important factors to consider when adding a pet to the family. Our New York vets discuss types of pets and the rewards and challenges that each kind brings.
Getting a New Pet
Animals bring great joy to their humans' lives. Our pets can often feel like another family member as we learn their personalities, look forward to coming home to them and love and care for them deeply. Cats and dogs come with different challenges and care requirements, but they all have one thing in common: they depend on you for their survival.
So, we recommend anyone getting a pet carefully plan their decision to ensure you'll have all the resources you need in place to care for your new best friend. Inn this post, the team at our New York vet clinic will share some advice about factors to consider - including personality fit, financial aspects, allergies, and care requirements for both cats and dogs.
Things to Consider
The first thing to think about when choosing a pet is whether they'll fit your lifestyle and its needs. For example, if you're often out for most of the day, a dog may not be a good choice since they need a lot of attention, walks, and bathroom breaks. Instead, you might go for a cat that is more capable of being on its own for 8 - 10 hours a day. Some other questions to ask yourself are:
- What kind of animal is a good match for my personality? An outgoing and extroverted person might gravitate towards a god as they tend to be quite amiable and outgoing. If you're an introvert, the quieter companionship a cat can provide may be a better fit.
- Am I financially able to care for this animal? All pets come with years of commitment to budgeting for costs. However, some are more expensive than others. For example, a dog's vet bills will probably be higher than a small goldfish tank and fish food.
- Do I have allergies? If being surrounded by friends' pets and their fur makes you sneeze, you may opt for a fur-less creature such as a reptile.
- Can I handle their care needs? Each type of pet will have different needs and ways to accomplish their care. Dogs require a large time commitment from their owners. Cats will need to have their litter boxes changed. ensure you're able to commit to care requirements of whichever pet you choose.
If You're Considering a Dog
Choosing which dog will be your furever friend begins with carefully selecting a breed that will suit your home and lifestyle. Do some research regarding the breed's general temperament (keeping in mind that all animals have their own personalities).
Some breeds are known to be calm and content to sit at your feet for most of the day while others can be bold, boisterous and better with children. Size should also be a factor in your decision. If you live in a small apartment, a smaller dog is probably a better choice. Large dogs need lots of room to run and exercise.
Other care requirements to think about include registering with a license, training time, taking them on walks, providing the appropriate food, grooming, and preventive veterinary care. Some families choose to divide up pet care duties. The key is to make decisions that work for your family's needs and lifestyles - and those of whichever animal you choose. At our New York animal hospital in NYC, we offer a range of preventive care services for puppies, kittens, senior pets and all four-legged friends in between.
If You're Considering a Cat
Cats can make great pets. They are often playful and affectionate - but remember, like dogs, they will each have their own distinct personality. Cats are fairly low-maintenance pets once they're fully grown. Cats, however, are known to scratch (and sometimes ruin) furniture, so you will have be sure to keep their nails trimmed and provide scratching posts to help with this problem.
Care requirements to consider: Changing the litter box, providing proper food and stimulation (toys, scratching posts), nail care, and preventive veterinary care. Our vets at Rivergate Veterinary Clinic are happy to provide advice, perform routine exams and administer vaccinations for your pet.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.