| Having a pet to look after is a lovely thing to do because animals can
give so much companionship and provide opportunities for you to have fun.
However, they are also a big responsibility and I would anyone considering
having a pet to think carefully about all that this involves. |
 Many
of the things to remember are the same whether you intend having a larger
animal such as a cat or dog or whether you simply want a little pet like
a hamster or budgerigar. Animals cannot speak to us in the way that our
friends can, so they rely on their owners to keep them safe, well fed and
happy. |
 When things are wrong,
they cannot tell us with words. Also you must remember that it's not enough
to make sure your pet is kept well fed, well housed, safe and in good
health. If you want your pet to be happy then you have to give it love
and attention - even little hamsters need to be played with and handled
regularly to stop them from getting lonely. |
| The
other thing to bear in mind generally is that a pet is a living thing, not
a toy for your amusement and entertainment. Don't consider having a pet
unless you are prepared to go on looking after it and caring for it for
the whole of its life. Many people get puppies or kittens at Christmas and
as soon as the novelty wears off or the puppy or kitten grows out of its
'cute' phase, they lose interest and don't want the responsibility of looking
after them any longer. So often it happens that a child tells their parents
they want a pet and they promise to look after it, but after a few weeks
they lose interest and it's one of the parents who ends up having to clean
out the cage and feed it. |
 If
you want your pet to remain as healthy as possible for as long as
possible, do take the time and trouble to find out more about their
ideal diet and lifestyle. Your library is likely to be the best place
to find out free information as they usually have quite a few books
on different pets. Don't be fooled into thinking that just because
the local supermarket sells rows and rows of dried and tinned pet
food, that this alone will keep your pet healthy. Find out the facts
and make sure you include some fresh food of the type most suited
to your pet. |
| If
you do decide to get a pet, whatever type, do try and choose it yourself.
All animals have their own personalities and some you will take to
and bond with better than others. For example, when looking at a litter
of puppies or kittens, you will immediately be drawn to one more than
the others. This is the one with whom you are most likely to have
a good and understanding relationship with. You may have gone along
to the pet shop determined to buy a shiny black kitten and end up
with a scrawny little brown and white spotted one with a cheeky face
who kept coming up to the bars of the cage and nuzzling against your
hand. This was the one that obviously had 'chosen' you to be his friend. |
Dogs
Dogs are probably the best pets to have if you want a pet that is
likely to be with you for a number of years and want a pet that you
can take out for walks and romp around with. Although dogs cannot
speak in words, they have a good ability to communicate their feelings
and needs. With a dog you can have a true and loyal friend. However,
getting a dog should be the decision of the entire family if you want
the venture to be successful. Even if you feel sure that you will
be the one taking it out for walks and giving it its meals and playing
with it, dogs cost the family money. |
 |
Things
to consider:
· Cost of the dog or puppy
· Cost of injections
· Vets fees when the dog is ill
· Will your dog need to be spayed or neutered?
· Cost of food and other expenditures
· Who will look after your dog when you go on holiday
· Who will be responsible for training the dog? |
|
As you can
see from the above list, there are many factors that need to be
considered (and I am sure I haven't covered everything). If after
discussing all of the above with your family, you still decide to
get a dog or puppy, you can obtain further information on the different
types and breeds from books at your library. It is very important
to select a suitable breed because some types of dogs are not so
good with children and larger dogs need more food and exercise.
It is important to get the right type of dog for your family.
|
 |
Cats
Like dogs, cats can live for a good few years if they are lucky
and well looked after. Some are dignified and aloof and don't like
to be petted too much, some are cuddly and lazy and love to sit
on your lap and be stroked for ages and some are playful even when
they are fully grown. |
|
If you are
a cat lover, you will admire and respect them all and know which
type of cat you want for a pet. Cats are generally easier to look
after than dogs because they like to be more independent and you
don't take them out for walks.
If your family
have to go away on holiday you may be able to find someone to come
in every day and feed them for you (as long as it's not for too
long). However, cats do require extra money for their food and occasionally
may need to be taken to the vet for something or other. Remember
too that you cannot train cats to do tricks in the way you may be
able to train a dog. They wouldn't be too happy to find themselves
dressed up in doll's clothes and pushed around in a pushchair!
|
Hamsters
A small furry hamster is often a good choice of pet for a child because
they don't take up much space and the responsibility for looking after
them is not too difficult. They will need a suitable cage, a variety
of different foodstuffs, fresh water and some toys to play with. Hamsters
love to play and roll about in wheels and things. Make sure that you
obtain a parent's permission before you bring any kind of living animal
into your house as a pet and make sure you know what is entailed in
looking after it. Hamsters usually do best when they are housed separately
as you could not put two males together in a cage because they would
fight. However, they get very lonely if they are left alone for too
long and they need to be handled and gently played with - if possible
every day. Nowadays pet shops sell a variety of toys that your hamster
will enjoy playing with (you too!).
|
 Rabbits
and Guinea Pigs
Rabbits and guinea pigs can be kept in the garden in hutches, but
they also need a run so that they can get more exercise. |
| When
building or purchasing your 'run' do bear in mind that they are expert
burrowers and can easily escape by tunnelling underneath the ground.
They also have to be secure against foxes or cats and dogs. Hutches
have to be cleaned out regularly or they quickly become damp and smelly
and unhealthy for your rabbit or guinea pigs. |
Goldfish
There are all types of goldfish - comets, shubunkins, fantails, goggle-eyed.
Common goldfish are better for beginners because they are stronger
and are likely to live longer. |
| Lots
of people keep goldfish in a goldfish bowl, but you should use a tank
because a bowl is really too small. It lets in too much light and
not enough oxygen. It's quite easy to look after goldfish provided
you remember a few basis rules, one of which is not to overfeed them.
A well looked after common goldfish could live for 25 or 30 years.
Once again, get a book from your library and this will help you make
up your mind. |
|
I hope that the above information
has been helpful. My best advice is to talk the matter through with
your parents so that you will be able to have the kind of pet that
will best suit your circumstances and the whole family. Do make
use of your library and/or pet shop to find out as much as possible
about the type of pet you wish to get. Happy pet hunting! |
