Pet Selection - 4 Questions to Consider Before You Purchase Or Adopt an Animal

Sharing your life and home with a pet can add a lot of joy and pleasure provided you pick the right pet and are able to provide the care needed. There are several ways to find a pet; you can purchase from a breeder, adopt an animal from a shelter or adopt a pet from a breed specific rescue group. Also, you may be able to adopt a very loving, healthy pet through your veterinarian or if you know a senior citizen whose housing situation requires them to give up their pet. Before you decide what type of animal you want, consider your lifestyle. Animals are not toys. They are sentient beings with emotions and pain receptors. They require routine medical check ups, proper nutrition, and have breed specific needs such as lots of grooming (poodles, etc.) or exercise (most types of terriers, etc.). Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I make enough money to provide food and medical care for a pet? The average annual cost of feeding a cat is approximately $700 (this can vary tremendously depending on whether you feed your cat dry food or canned food and the quality of the food). The cost of caring for a dog can vary even more because the size of the dog determines the amount of food required. Certain breeds, like poodles require professional grooming which can add another $200-$700 in annual costs. If your pet is healthy, veterinarian fees average $100-150 per year, but the first year may be closed to $300 because more vaccinations are required with young animals and you will need to spay or neuter your pet as they reach sexual maturity-approximately 6 months old. Additionally, you may need to license or register your pet to be in compliance with local laws. It's also good to plan on spending some money on training ($100-500 one time fees), especially with dogs. Like most things, having a pet can have unexpected costs-flea treatment, nail clipping, unexpected medical expenses, pet sitting or boarding fees when you travel, pet toys, treats, and bedding. Your home and furniture are likely to experience a little more wear and tear. If you're the kind of person who cares more about your couch than a cat, think twice.

2. Am I willing to make a long term commitment to an animal? Most dogs and cats live approximately 10-12 years, but many indoor cats can live 20-25 years, and certain breeds of dogs live 15-18 years. No one can see the future, but if you have a condition or circumstance in your life where you cannot care for a pet for at least the next 10 years, do not purchase a pet whose life expectancy exceeds your availability. Let's say you plan on moving to Europe in 5 years when you retire and you want to be free-i.e. no pets or responsibilities. You can often adopt an older pet from a shelter or breed rescue site. Or you can volunteer time at the local animal shelter instead of adopting a pet.

3. Is my home environment stable and suitable for a pet? Just like people, pets flourish in a home that is stable. They like routine feeding times and bed times. Are you able to provide these? If you have a home with any of the following conditions please do not adopt or purchase an animal.

a. Someone in the house with a violent temper.

b. You routinely travel for extended periods of time and no one else lives with you or no other person in the house wants to care for a pet. Cats can often do well in a household where you stay away one night a week, but dogs cannot be left alone for long periods of time.

c. You have very young children--wait until they are able to comprehend why they need to be nice to the animal. This varies from child to child, but once your child is 6-7 years old, it may be a good time to add a pet to your home. Just make sure you obtain the type of pet that is best suited for children.

d. You're being evicted, foreclosure is eminent, or you are going to trail and may have possible jail time.

e. You have a mental of physical disability that requires prolonged hospital stays, or periods where it would be impossible to care for your pet.

f. You have a mental of physical disability and your disease will be aggravated by the extra burden of pet care or an allergic reaction to dander or hair. (Many people flourish by sharing their life with a pet-just make sure someone can care for your pet and that your disease will not be adversely affected).

4. Does your apartment, condo or city allow the type of pet selected? If you rent an apartment, find out what the property management or property owner's pet policies are before you buy or adopt a pet. If you live in a condominium, you'll need to check the pet restrictions. The condo management company or your condo association can provide this information. Lastly, check with the city to find out any breed restrictions (some cities will not allow people to house specific breeds).

If you want a pet and are willing and able to provide proper care, the next step is to consider the type of pet whose needs and nature will mesh well with your lifestyle. There are many books and websites with breed specific information. Sadly, the United States kills 4-10 million companion animals each year. This figure will drop substantially, as people consider the requirements of pet care and breed specific needs before they purchase or adopt an animal.

Kate Garvey is a former Vet Tech and animal rights supporter. She teaches Sound Healing Workshops (throughout the US) and treats clients by appointment in the San Diego area. For more information on how you can use sound for optimal health please visit http://www.InstituteOfSoundHealing.com

Kate is also a freelance writer, published author, and the author of several books; "Aging, Death and Euthanasia-A Guide for People with Pets", "Summer Pet Care Tips", and "The Low Risk Guide for Real Estate Investment."

Homemade Pet Food - Important Factors to Consider Before Feeding

Many pet owners are thinking about feeding their dog or cat a homemade diet. This can be for numerous reasons, whether they are concerned about the safety of commercial pet food or they simply want to offer their pet a variety at mealtime.

Feeding a homemade diet is only for the most dedicated of pet owners. Some people say that cooking for your pet is a "no-brainer". Other people say that cooking for your pet is a very complicated and labor-intensive process.

No matter who you listen to, there's some important factors to take into consideration before embarking on this path. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before getting started.

Am I willing to invest the time and money necessary to prepare my pet's meals?

The bottom line is: cooking for your pet requires more time and money on your part. Think about how much time and money you spend preparing meals for yourself and your human family. Are you willing to do this for your pet too?

Careful consideration must be made when selecting recipes, shopping for ingredients, and choosing supplements. It's not as easy as searching online for a recipe. The majority of recipes you find for free on the Internet are inadequate when fed for long periods of time and are not formulated by someone trained in veterinary nutrition.

A pet owner should only consider recipes that have been formulated and balanced by veterinarians trained specifically in the field of animal nutrition. Spending a little extra money to have recipes formulated for your pet's unique nutritional requirements is beneficial and provides peace of mind.

A group of veterinarians at http://www.petdiets.com offer such a service.

Do I understand that if for some reason I'm no longer able to prepare my pet's meals that he will have a difficult time switching back to commercial pet food?

Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD, author of Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets--The Healthful Alternative, states that many pets develop an intolerance for commercial pet food after being fed a home-prepared diet.

Am I willing to make additional visits to the veterinarian to ensure that my pet remains in good health?

Pets that eat a homemade diet should be brought in for regular veterinary exams at least two to three times per year to ensure they are not experiencing any nutrient deficiencies or excesses. These visits may involve the cost of routine blood and urine tests or x-rays.

Am I willing to accept the risks involved in feeding my pet a homemade diet?

There are potential short-term and long-term risks involved with feeding pets a homemade diet, especially if the owner decides to omit ingredients that supply the pet with essential levels of vitamins and minerals. Clinical signs may not occur until the pet has been fed the inadequate diet for an extended period of time--several months or in some cases several years later.

Remember that certain table scraps should never be feed to pets. Gravy, meat fats, and poultry skin can cause serious digestive upset. There is also the potential for pancreatitis, a life-threatening disease, to occur. Bones can also splinter when chewed and have the potential to cause intestinal blockages and perforations.

Other ingredients that should not be fed to pets include chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, avocados, coffee, macadamia nuts, salt, tea leaves, raw yeast dough, and xylitol, a common sweetener found in baked goods, gum and candy.

Who will prepare meals for my pet should I become ill or go on vacation?

Pet owners should instruct a friend or family member on how to properly prepare the pet's diets.

Many pets do very well eating homemade pet food, and some do not. But then again, the same can be said for commercial pet food. Owners who are considering feeding their pet a homemade diet should always consider the validity and nutritional training of those recommending a particular diet or recipe.

If you're certain you want to cook for your pet, consult first with your veterinarian and do plenty of research on the topic, both online and offline.

Amanda K. Jones is a licensed veterinary technician and e-book author. She has had several articles published in professional veterinary journals and is a Tails, Inc. Magazine Furry Forum Expert.

If you're a pet owner interested in feeding your pet a homemade diet or are looking for more information on basic pet food nutrition, you may be interested in Amanda's FREE 8-Week Course on Dog and Cat Nutrition.

For more information or to sign-up please visit http://www.petfoodbible.com

Tips to Consider When Feeding Your Pets

Feeding your pet is the most important aspect of care that you will perform as a pet owner. There are a number of feeding practices that a pet owner should observe. Most of these practices involve researching on other types of foods that are ideal for feeding your pet as well as changing the diets for the pets.

Feeding should be done at constant intervals to avoid underfeeding the pet. It is usually advisable to always have the feeding bowl of your pet stocked. This ensures that the pet gets something to eat anytime it is hungry. Pets too need a balanced diet. However, most people assume that pets can survive with one type of food and constant feeding of the same diet becomes monotonous to the pet and it not only emaciates the pet but it also makes pet feeding sessions boring.

You could offer some of the food that you are taking to the pet and the small amounts are enough for a change of the pet's diet. However, you could also decide to buy a variety of food from the veterinary shops. This ensures that your pat always gets a balanced diet regardless of whether it feeds on your food or not. It is advisable to keep small amounts of pet food within reach so that in case you are not around the house, the pet can reach for its food. Feeding could also involve giving it more fluids. This ensures that the pet has an optimum digestive environment to avoid constipation and indigestion.

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Pet Health Insurance - What to Consider Before Purchasing Pet Medical Insurance?

Pet health insurance is not a new idea. It has been available for more than 20 years. But there are still some people that find pet health insurance is still relatively new.

Currently, there are many options. While some pet owners are doubtful, some fear that adding insurance to veterinary medicine will follow the path of insurance red tape and problems found in human health care fields.

Pet health care policies are in some ways similar to human insurance policies. There are annual premiums, deductibles and different coverage plans based on what the owner chooses. Plans are based on species, age, pre-existing conditions and in some cases, even upon the lifestyle of the pet.

According to some experts, the best time to purchase pet insurance is when the animal is still young. Many pet health insurance plans do not cover pre- existing conditions. Insuring early can also provide coverage for certain initial veterinary procedures such as vaccinations and spaying.

When looking for a pet health insurance, consider the company stability. Even if pet health insurance has been available for more than 25 years and has grown to become a strong industry, there are few companies who have been on the market for a while. So, when shopping for pet insurance, do your research about the insurance company. Know how long it has been in business and if it is financially solid.

Make sure that the company has in-depth veterinary knowledge. A quality pet health insurance provider should have knowledge of the veterinary and insurance industries. It should have trained veterinary professionals on their staff. It pays if your veterinarian actually recommends the pet health insurance.

When looking for a pet health insurance, check for the wellness coverage. Preventive care is important for the long-term health of the pet. In order to encourage and remind pet owners to take their pet to the vet on a regular basis, there are pet insurance plans offering coverage for common preventive treatments and procedures like wellness exams, vaccinations, heartworm protection, neutering, teeth cleaning, prescription flea control and many more.

Aside from wellness coverage, also check the broad coverage for illnesses. Policies should include coverage for prescription drugs, dental illness, allergies and diabetes. Also check if your pet has insurance coverage even if it is away from home. A good pet insurance should cover your pet no matter where you are.

Also check if it is possible to have your own veterinarian. Some pet owners would rather have their own veterinarian including veterinary specialists such as oncologists, neurologists, and allergists.

If pet health insurance is not for you and your pet, there are other options that you can choose from to keep your pet healthy.

You can check with your veterinarian. There are some hospitals that offer wellness packages. They offer discount prices on vaccinations, spay/neuters and similar medical attention. Some even have geriatric health check up packages you can check on.

Discount programs like Pet Assure is another option. This national program offers 25 percent savings on veterinary services. They can sometimes offer as much as 50 percent on pet supplies. They have a network of participating veterinarians and pet vendors where you can take advantage of their services and discounts.

Some human and non-profit organizations offer financial aid to pet owners. Some veterinary offices even keep an emergency fund for pets in the event they have an emergency situation. But even if there is an option like this, pet owners should still primarily provide or cover financial cost brought about by emergency situations.

Pet health insurance is something that can help pet owners provide the best possible care for their pets in time of need.

However, health insurance is not the only option that pet owners have. Still the most important thing is tender loving care.

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