2023 Animal Stories Magazine

Page 21 2023 Animal Stories Lincoln Daily News February 22. 2023 There are several things that you should think about before adopting a pet. The first thing to consider is why you want a pet. Are you wanting a companion that will just hang out around the house/apartment, or are you wanting a more active pet? Wanting a pet that is on the quiet side, does not necessarily mean you should get a small dog. Many smaller dogs are as much or more rambunctious than a larger dog. Think of Jack Russel Terriers. Therefore, don’t think that a big dog wouldn’t work for you. That said, keep in mind breed traits as well. Often, herding types don’t necessarily work well in a small apartment unless they can be given lots of exercise. But they do great if they have a fenced yard or the owner is committed to lots of walks or running. So, keep in mind the activity level you are looking for and if you have the time available for that commitment. Next while keeping in mind the lifestyle your pet will need;can you commit to this for the next 12-20 years depending on what type of pet you get? With proper care, nutrition, and veterinary care it is not uncommon for kittens to live up to 20 years. Because of this time factor, you need to think about things in the long term, not just today or this year. Meaning will your lifestyle be changing in this time, i.e., adding a baby to the family etc. If that may be the case, you would want to factor that into your current decision. By Dr. Bill Armbruster, Green Prairie Animal Hospital and Kay Armbruster, Cha-Dai Pet Motel. Also, factor in the age of the pet you are wanting. A puppy is not always the correct choice. There are many wonderful dogs that are older that make great family members. We have seen many cases where that an older dog or cat was the perfect addition. They may have had to leave their previous home because of issues that were not at all related to them. Such as the loss of an owner or home etc. When making your decision, think about whether you can manage excessive hair, drool etc. in your home. The hair factor can apply to both dogs and cats. Also, are there family members that could be allergic? If they are allergic to cats then a kitten may not be the best choice. If only mildly allergic, there is a newer food on the market that may help with this. If allergic to dogs, then certain breeds shed less than others. Obviously, your big dogs drool and slobber more than a little dog. Just a few things to think about. Do you have the space allotted for the new family member? This could be a kennel for certain dogs and cats for that matter. Is there space for a litter box or two? Many people think their dog will sleep with them, and this is often true, but not in every case. Whether you choose to have your new family member sleep with you or not, it is still a great idea to get them used to being in a kennel. Therefore, where will the kennel go? Because of these concerns and the long- term commitment, you also need to consider finances. This is long term decision. As pointed out earlier, this new family member will be around a long time and will have many costs for them to live their longest, healthiest, and happiest life. This includes food, housing, veterinary care, grooming, etc. The average Continued --