Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United States? Recent statistics have shown that 62% of homes have a pet, and that 46% of homes have more than one pet. That adds up to 380 million pets in a nation with a human population of 290 million people.
The first three categories are cats (78 million), dogs (65 million), and birds (18 million). Also popular are fish and small animals but their number is far behind the numbers of cats and dogs.
More and more people are buying pets because they realise the great advantages of having a pet, a pet is a great companion, a loyal friend and a part of the family. Since a pet has such an important role to play in your life it is important thinking hard to pick the right pet for you.
Carefully considering what pet you will get before getting it will pay off in the long run, that way you wont pick a pet you are incompatible with, you will get on well with your pet and you wont have problems with it in future. A poorly chosen pet may eventually have to leave, and the blame for the imcompatibility will be with you.
If you are choosing a pet the real choice you are probably making is whether to get a dog or a cat, perhaps you are considering a pet that requires less effort such as a fish or bird also. If you decide to opt for a dog you must then choose what breed of dog toget, with over 150 breeds you are spoiled for choice!
A dog will probably prove to be a better companion than a cat - it will be more of a friend, however a dog will also need more care than a cat. Dogs like to be around people whereas cats are more autonomous, they will generally spend their day off by themselves. Cats are more attracted to their home then to their owners generally.
You will need to carefully consider how much space you have, cats and dogd reuire quite a bit of space, so if you live in a small apartment then even a small breed of dog or a cat will feel restricted. If you have very little space perhaps you should go for a bird or fish, or may be a hamster?
Bear in mind that a dog cannot be left alone for very long, they need feeding, walking and attention. This may be a problem if you are away often and there is no one else around to mind the dog. Perhaps a kennel or neighbour would be available to care for the dog while you are away. Cats, though independent, do not like being left alone either although they can cope better than a dog.
Dogs need a lot of attention, they must be walked at least once or twice a day, on top of that they are full of energy and need space in which to live and play. Obviously the larger the breed of dog the more space it needs, large dogs such as shepherd dogs and Saint Bernards need a lot of space. Also consider how much your dog will eat - big dogs eat big meals!
Big dogs have the advantage that if trained properly, they can protect their owner and home, while small dogs (like poodles) are more like a joyful toy at home. Small dogs are also suitable for children or for elderly people, who do not have the energy to walk a dog for miles and miles.
No matter what pet you decide on, ensure you have thought your desision through properly, a badly chosen pet will be unhappy if it doesn't suit you, so pick carefully.
Alyssa Hallam is the webmaster and operator of AH Pet Her site has a great collection of information on all different kinds of pets, including a free newsletter, pet resources and articles. For great pet information, go to: http://www.ahpet.com
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More
Have you noticed that doctors are now being much more... Read More
Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More
You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More
Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
It is very important to decide whether to keep your... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
My dear owner,Thank you once again for giving me shelter.... Read More
Is there anything more cute and cuddly than tiny little... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More
You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More
Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Some say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More
Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More
West Highland White Terriers began their history as the undesirable... Read More
Boy or Girl?How can you tell whether your Goldfish is... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
Continued from part two.Epilepsy/seizure disorderWhen your Boxer is between 2... Read More
Goldfish HealthcareYou would think that it's unfair that such a... Read More
Can you comprehend a time when dog food, cat food,... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. They... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
The answer is "no" if you are the type who... Read More
One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa... Read More
Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More
==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========If you're interested in premium... Read More
What you feed your dog is really SO important for... Read More
So you have a mature pair of discus fish that... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
Getting a new pet can be a lot of fun.... Read More
If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More
Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More
This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were... Read More
A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More
A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More
Goldfish care is critical for the health of your goldfish.... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More
Dog's come in all shapes and sizes ? out of... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More
Pet |