Adding a pet to your family can be a joyful, rewarding experience.  Before you do, make sure that the pet you choose will suit you, your family, your lifestyle and your living space.  Taking a little extra time before you bring home a furry friend can pay back double in the amount of frustration saved.

How Much Time Will My Pet Need?

This is a big question, and one of the most important. Before you think about species or breed, think about time.  Do you work full-time?  Do you have a spouse at home?  Is there another animal to keep the new pet company?  Do you have kids to romp with the pet and provide exercise?

Animals, in addition to being our reliable companions, need companionship for themselves.  This is true of some critters more than others. 

Dogs left alone all day can develop behavior problems and separation anxiety issues.  Cats are more self-sufficient, but in the wild, they are also group animals.  Small animals that live in cages, like ferrets, hamsters and guinea pigs also need play-time, for exercise as well as their own well-being.

If you are only home on nights and weekends, consider getting two animals at the same time.  This will ensure that your new pet doesn’t become lonely or develop behavior problems related to loneliness, which is one of the most common reasons pets end up abandoned or sent to shelters.

Most animals will also require house-breaking or training once they come home with you.  Do you have the time to do this yourself, or will you need to hire someone to take care of this for you?

Putting some extra thought into the time you have to give and the time the pet will require can save you from headaches or heartbreaks later.

Where to Adopt From?

Many people will head to the pet shop at the mall as soon as they’ve decided which kind of pet they want.  Pet shops, like puppy mills, should be the last resort.  It’s rare that you can’t find a suitable animal elsewhere.

The first place to try is the local animal shelter, pound, or humane society.  These locations always have more animals than they can house, and many have young puppies and kittens as well.  In addition to stray animals that you may have reservations about adopting, loving pets whose owners have died also end up here. 

All of these animals deserve a second chance, and can be had for a modest fee.  A benefit to adopting from a shelter or rescue organization is that the animals almost always have had their shots and have already been spayed or neutered, saving you the cost of these procedures.

If you desire a pedigreed animal, contact a breeder’s association.  They can direct you to reputable breeders of your chosen species.

The local newspaper probably has a pets section in the classifieds.  In the spring there are always ads for kittens, usually free to a good home.  Often, local breeders will advertise here, too.

How to Pick a Healthy Pet

While the specifics will vary from species to species and breed to breed, some general rules apply.  For breed-specific information, try the local bookstore.  Almost all healthy pets have the following in common:

• Clean, wet noses
• Bright eyes with no film or residue in the tear ducts
• A full, shiny coat, free of mats or debris
• Clean ears, free of small black mites
• Undamaged whiskers of a fairly even length
• Clean teeth and pink, not red, gums
• Clean paws and tail
• Clean under-tail area, free of irritation or worms

Any animal you wish to adopt should appear alert and interested (yes, even aloof cats can be interested!), and not recoil from human contact in the form of gentle petting or scratching behind the ears.  You may want to pick up and squeeze that perfect-looking pooch, but he may not take well to that until he has learned to trust you.    

Before Fluffy or Fido Comes Home

Just as you would child-proof your home before a toddler comes to visit, you need to be sure your pet (and your stuff) is protected.  Pick up all small items that could cause choking—I can guarantee, if it’s on the floor, it’s going in your pet’s mouth at some point.  Remove or cover delicate or antique furniture, and put the breakables up high.

Remove any loose wires or electrical cords—kittens and puppies love to chew on warm cords.  Okay, puppies love to chew on everything, so if it’s precious, put it away until your new pal has learned not to chew everything in sight.

Kittens will scratch furniture if you don’t provide an alternative.  A cat-nip scented scratching post is a good idea.

Small animals like hamsters and ferrets will crawl into the smallest hidey-hole they can find.  If there’s an escape that’s larger than two inches by two inches, secure or block it off.  Be sure to check inside the cabinetry and behind appliances—small creatures can vanish quickly.

Provide a bed for your new pet so that he will have a secure spot when he needs to retreat.  A few toys, leash, collar and litter-box will make the homecoming preparations complete.

How Much Will it Cost?

Forget the adoption fee, or price of the pet.  That’s a one time cost that can range from nothing to hundreds of dollars.  When thinking about cost, consider lifelong needs.

Any pet will require regular visits to the vet’s office, quality food and litter, and occasional medicines in times of illness or injury. 

Calling local veterinary offices can give you an idea of what wellness check-ups and quality food will cost.    Listings are usually in the yellow pages of the phone book, under veterinarians.  Don’t forget to ask about grooming services, too.

These costs can vary widely from species to species.  A small animal will eat much less than a large breed, and an indoor pet will be healthier and live longer than an outside pet.

Home and Hearth

Cats, ferrets and small caged animals can live happily indoors for the whole of their lives.  Cats will need high perches; ferrets love safe nooks and crannies in which to hide their booty.

Dogs will need a yard or regular walking (by regular, I mean three or four times a day) if kept indoors.  If your pet will spend significant time outdoors, consider installing a fence. 

Dogs can be chained outdoors, but this risks escape or loss by way of broken chains or torn collars.  A dog straining against a chain while barking madly isn’t a happy sight for anyone, least of all the dog.  A fence will keep your dog safe and away from hazards like cars and other, bigger dogs.  This will also keep your pet from accidentally harming another animal, person or child.

Be sure you have a place to board your pet in case of emergencies, or when he can’t come on vacation with you.

Children

If you have children, be sure the animal is age appropriate.  An aggressive breed of dog is a bad idea with toddlers, as is a cat.  Small children are often too rough with animals, resulting in injury to the child when the animal attempts to protect itself.  This is usually not the fault of the animal, but the fault of the parent for choosing or supervising poorly.

Dogs

Dogs of all breeds can make wonderful companion animals.  They’re friendly, loving, and loyal.  Some breeds are perfect for active lifestyles—some large dogs like Labrador Retrievers love a morning jog—while smaller breeds like Toy Poodles are best for the more sedentary among us. 

If you opt for a pedigreed or show-quality dog, be sure to do your breed research.  Some require much more care and attention to dietary needs than your average neighborhood mixed-breed.

While you do have to be choosy, most dogs are great with kids, and often act as protectors.  Kids are great at providing exercise and playtime for the family pooch.

Cats

Cats are best for people who have less time to spend with their pets.  Cats sleep much of the day, sometimes as much as sixteen hours a day!  Cats also will tolerate alone time better than other animals, but they will demand your attention when you do get home.

A happy cat will nuzzle your leg or settle into your lap and purr the night away.  Cats do need play-time, too.  A feather fishing pole or a catnip-stuffed mouse can be just the trick for keeping a happy cat.

Ferrets, Hamsters and Gerbils

They look like small bandits, and act like rambunctious little thieves, running off and hiding anything that jangles or shines.  Ferrets, while they live in cages most of the day, need to spend at least two hours out of the cage and actively involved with you each day. 

Smaller caged animals also need frequent playtime, or they will develop behavioral problems or become ill.  Small caged animals are always best kept in pairs, for the well-being of the animals.

No matter which critter you choose, as long as you provide attentive love and care, the relationship between you and your pet is sure to be a long and loving one.