Do your homework, don’t buy on impulse and be responsible. Holistic veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM offers a few pet adopting pointers to help ensure this holiday season is safe and happy for you and your pets.
Consider your Options: When it comes to breed, it’s the temperament of the breed that’s the most important, especially when kids are concerned. Large Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shelties and Collies are good with quiet kids. Collies are high maintenance and need regular grooming. Terriers are a good choice for active young boys, but they like to dig, so watch out for your garden. Cats, whether pure or mixed, offer you many choices. Maine Coon Cats have a personality like dogs and are great for kids; on the other hand, Siamese are better with adults. They are very smart, finicky, and temperamental.
Consider your Lifestyle: Do you live in the city or country? An apartment or a house? Cats and sedate small dogs like Boston terriers, Chihuahuas, and Pugs are good choices for apartments and small homes. Do you have a yard? How big is it? Is your yard fenced? Large dogs need more space than small dogs but aren’t always more active. How much time do you spend at home? If you’re not home much, cats require less time than dogs, and if you are always on the go, fish are great! They still need love but take a lot less time.
Consider your Climate: Be sure your choice of breed is suitable to your climate. A Mexican hairless is not a good choice if you live in Alaska. A Husky or a Malamute might have a tough time in Florida. Pugs and breeds predisposed to breathing problems can be affected by high heat and humidity.
Consider your Investment: Pets can be costly. In general, the bigger the pet and the longer the hair, the more they cost to feed and maintain. The initial cost of buying a pet varies: At a shelter, average cost ranges from $25 to $40. At a breeder, costs vary from an average of $375 to $3500, but today, the sky’s the limit.
Consider your Responsibility: Be honest with yourself about the amount of time and work you are willing to put into a pet. For moms with kids, remember you are essentially adding another child to your family who will be with you for the next 15-20 plus years.
Bonus: Pick of the Litter Tips: Don’t pick the overly shy or aggressive pet; watch for the one that reacts positively to you. Do a visual inspection of teeth, ears, gait, fur, etc. Ask for pedigree papers (if applicable) and take your new pet to your veterinarian within the first 72 hours of adoption for a checkup.
Dr. Carol Osborne is an author and world-renowned integrative veterinarian of twenty-plus years. After graduating from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol completed a prestigious internship at the Columbus Zoo. Shortly afterward, she launched a very successful private practice and became the founder and director of the non-profit organization, the American Pet Institute.
Dr. Carol offers traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats with a softer, natural touch. Her approach highlights the importance of nutrition and utilizing holistic avenues in combination with traditional treatments. Currently, she offers holistic therapies and traditional veterinary medical care for dogs and cats at the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Call our Office Today at (855) 372-2765 or complete this Form to Email our Office.