Dogs
By Linda Cole
We all have our reasons for why we picked a certain pet to share our home with. Adopting a pet is a tremendous responsibility, and it's essential to pick the right pet that fits your lifestyle. For some people (that's me) any pet fits in, but it's not the case for everyone. There are many things to consider before deciding on the right pet. If you're thinking about adding a pet to your family, here's a short quiz to contemplate.
1. How much space do you have?
a. I live in a small apartment with no yard.
b. A couple of acres and a modest to large house.
c. A nice little place with a decent backyard.
Space is important to consider, because not all dogs will make a good pet if they are cooped up in a small space. All dogs need exercise whether they are a high energy breed or not. If space is limited, consider which dog breed would be happy in a small space, or perhaps get a cat instead. Check for dog parks in your area, and plan on daily walks if you live in an small home and/or have a tiny yard.
2. What kind of lifestyle do you have?
a. I have a couple of young kids.
b. I live alone and love to curl up on the couch at night to read or watch TV.
c. Exploring the great outdoors is my passion.
d. I work long hours and often on the weekends.
e. I have an active night life.
Lifestyle needs to be considered because some dog breeds and young children aren't a good mix. Not all dogs enjoy being around little kids. Think about how much time you have to devote to a pet. Leaving a dog home alone for long periods of time can cause them to develop behavior issues, and cats need attention, too. Do you have time to train a dog? Do you like to entertain on a regular basis? Do you like to go out a lot? Do you like to be active on the weekends, or are you more of a homebody?
3. What's your yearly income?
a. less than $20,000
b. $20,000 to $50,000
c. $50,000 or more
The cost of pet care is an important consideration. The average yearly cost of dog ownership is around $600 - $900, depending on the size and health of the dog. A cat will run you around $650 each year. All pets need a quality pet food, yearly vaccinations, flea medication, shelter, health care, toys, beds and grooming equipment. Dogs need to be licensed and have collars and leashes. Cats need a litter box, cat litter and carrier for trips to the vet. There is also spay/neutering costs, pet deposits if you rent, and miscellaneous expenses. In regards to the expense of pet food, CANIDAE is a very affordable brand that allows you to feed a premium-quality, natural diet for less than you might think. (See “Why a Quality Pet Food Matters,” and check out the cost-to-feed calculator on the CANIDAE website).
4. Do you or anyone in your family have any medical conditions or fear issues?
a. Allergies
b. Problems getting around
c. Fear of some breeds of dogs
If you or someone in your family has allergies, picking the right pet is essential. Some dog and cat breeds are better for allergy sufferers, but there is no pet that is completely hypoallergenic. If you have trouble getting around, you don't want a high energy dog.
5. Why do you want a pet?
a. I'm looking for a dog to protect my family and property.
b. Since I live alone, I'd like a pet to keep me company.
c. I would like a hiking or jogging partner.
d. I just like being around pets.
Think about why you want a pet. Small dogs are not accessories, and no pet should be adopted during an impulsive moment. Dogs can make great jogging, hiking and biking partners, but only if you pick the right breed that can keep up. Cats and dogs will snuggle next to you while you watch TV, if you pick the right one and take the time to bond with them. Dogs will protect your family and property, if you get the right one.
This quiz was meant to get you started in the right direction when considering what kind of pet would be right for you. You should take as long as you need and learn as much as you can before deciding on a pet. If you're willing to learn about your pet, love, bond, train, care for and protect them for their entire lifetime, the pet you pick is going to be the right one for you. For more information, read How to Choose a Dog That’s Right for You.
Treat a pet with respect and you will have their unconditional love for a lifetime, and that is what responsible pet ownership is all about!
Photo by Lara Eakins
Read more articles by Linda Cole
- How A Dog Show Helps You Find The Right Breed
By Linda Cole Finding the right dog for your lifestyle is difficult if you don't know what a specific breed's characteristics are. We see well trained dogs in movies and TV commercials, and think maybe that dog breed would be a great pet, but...
- What Is The Cost Of Pet Care?
By Linda Cole Owning a pet is a responsibility in more ways than one, and pet care cost will depend on whether you have a cat or dog, more than one pet, or certain breeds of dogs. The cost is not only financial, but emotional as well. It's important...
- Why A Quality Pet Food Matters
By Linda Cole The good people at CANIDAE produce premium quality pet food that helps keep our dogs, cats and horses healthy. They've gone through extensive research to offer pet owners reliable, natural and nutritious food choices. But this article...
- Responsible Pet Care Is A Lifetime Commitment
By Linda Cole So many pets find their way to shelters for one reason or another. Sometimes an owner decides that they can’t or don’t want to take care of their pet any longer. For most responsible pet owners, every single day spent with our pet gives...
- Adopting A Dog: What You Need To Know
By Linda Cole Adopting a dog is fun and exciting for the entire family. However, it's not as easy as simply walking into a shelter or kennel and walking out with your new friend. There are a few things to keep in mind before and during your search...
Dogs
How to Pick the Right Pet
We all have our reasons for why we picked a certain pet to share our home with. Adopting a pet is a tremendous responsibility, and it's essential to pick the right pet that fits your lifestyle. For some people (that's me) any pet fits in, but it's not the case for everyone. There are many things to consider before deciding on the right pet. If you're thinking about adding a pet to your family, here's a short quiz to contemplate.
1. How much space do you have?
a. I live in a small apartment with no yard.
b. A couple of acres and a modest to large house.
c. A nice little place with a decent backyard.
Space is important to consider, because not all dogs will make a good pet if they are cooped up in a small space. All dogs need exercise whether they are a high energy breed or not. If space is limited, consider which dog breed would be happy in a small space, or perhaps get a cat instead. Check for dog parks in your area, and plan on daily walks if you live in an small home and/or have a tiny yard.
2. What kind of lifestyle do you have?
a. I have a couple of young kids.
b. I live alone and love to curl up on the couch at night to read or watch TV.
c. Exploring the great outdoors is my passion.
d. I work long hours and often on the weekends.
e. I have an active night life.
Lifestyle needs to be considered because some dog breeds and young children aren't a good mix. Not all dogs enjoy being around little kids. Think about how much time you have to devote to a pet. Leaving a dog home alone for long periods of time can cause them to develop behavior issues, and cats need attention, too. Do you have time to train a dog? Do you like to entertain on a regular basis? Do you like to go out a lot? Do you like to be active on the weekends, or are you more of a homebody?
3. What's your yearly income?
a. less than $20,000
b. $20,000 to $50,000
c. $50,000 or more
The cost of pet care is an important consideration. The average yearly cost of dog ownership is around $600 - $900, depending on the size and health of the dog. A cat will run you around $650 each year. All pets need a quality pet food, yearly vaccinations, flea medication, shelter, health care, toys, beds and grooming equipment. Dogs need to be licensed and have collars and leashes. Cats need a litter box, cat litter and carrier for trips to the vet. There is also spay/neutering costs, pet deposits if you rent, and miscellaneous expenses. In regards to the expense of pet food, CANIDAE is a very affordable brand that allows you to feed a premium-quality, natural diet for less than you might think. (See “Why a Quality Pet Food Matters,” and check out the cost-to-feed calculator on the CANIDAE website).
4. Do you or anyone in your family have any medical conditions or fear issues?
a. Allergies
b. Problems getting around
c. Fear of some breeds of dogs
If you or someone in your family has allergies, picking the right pet is essential. Some dog and cat breeds are better for allergy sufferers, but there is no pet that is completely hypoallergenic. If you have trouble getting around, you don't want a high energy dog.
5. Why do you want a pet?
a. I'm looking for a dog to protect my family and property.
b. Since I live alone, I'd like a pet to keep me company.
c. I would like a hiking or jogging partner.
d. I just like being around pets.
Think about why you want a pet. Small dogs are not accessories, and no pet should be adopted during an impulsive moment. Dogs can make great jogging, hiking and biking partners, but only if you pick the right breed that can keep up. Cats and dogs will snuggle next to you while you watch TV, if you pick the right one and take the time to bond with them. Dogs will protect your family and property, if you get the right one.
This quiz was meant to get you started in the right direction when considering what kind of pet would be right for you. You should take as long as you need and learn as much as you can before deciding on a pet. If you're willing to learn about your pet, love, bond, train, care for and protect them for their entire lifetime, the pet you pick is going to be the right one for you. For more information, read How to Choose a Dog That’s Right for You.
Treat a pet with respect and you will have their unconditional love for a lifetime, and that is what responsible pet ownership is all about!
Photo by Lara Eakins
Read more articles by Linda Cole
- How A Dog Show Helps You Find The Right Breed
By Linda Cole Finding the right dog for your lifestyle is difficult if you don't know what a specific breed's characteristics are. We see well trained dogs in movies and TV commercials, and think maybe that dog breed would be a great pet, but...
- What Is The Cost Of Pet Care?
By Linda Cole Owning a pet is a responsibility in more ways than one, and pet care cost will depend on whether you have a cat or dog, more than one pet, or certain breeds of dogs. The cost is not only financial, but emotional as well. It's important...
- Why A Quality Pet Food Matters
By Linda Cole The good people at CANIDAE produce premium quality pet food that helps keep our dogs, cats and horses healthy. They've gone through extensive research to offer pet owners reliable, natural and nutritious food choices. But this article...
- Responsible Pet Care Is A Lifetime Commitment
By Linda Cole So many pets find their way to shelters for one reason or another. Sometimes an owner decides that they can’t or don’t want to take care of their pet any longer. For most responsible pet owners, every single day spent with our pet gives...
- Adopting A Dog: What You Need To Know
By Linda Cole Adopting a dog is fun and exciting for the entire family. However, it's not as easy as simply walking into a shelter or kennel and walking out with your new friend. There are a few things to keep in mind before and during your search...