Most of us love dogs, and many of us love cats. But there are other animals that make good pets too. The right pet for us can change over time. Here are some factors to consider.
Your age
When we are young or still-active adults, a puppy or young dog may be a perfect choice. We can play, jog, hike, and even bicycle with an active dog. If we have children old enough to be responsible toward a pet, a young dog makes a great pet. The dog and children can grow up together, forming an important bond.
The dog’s breed matters too. Large dogs tend to be less nervous than smaller ones, and therefore calmer around young, active children and less likely to bite when startled. But some larger breeds may become aggressive, especially if they feel threatened, and larger dogs can accidentally knock young children down while playing with them. A dog should always be under an adult’s control.
If you are an older person and no longer very active, but you still want to have a dog, you should consider adopting a senior dog or a small breed that does not need to take long walks or play outdoors. A cat may be a better choice, especially if you are confined to your home. Cats provide companionship while making fewer social demands on us.
Other good pets for the elderly are parakeets, canaries, gerbils, and even mice. For people who are bedridden and unable to interact with pets but enjoy the presence of other animals, an aquarium containing tropical fish can provide hours of tranquil fascination.
Your home
Being social animals, dogs need company. They also need safe places to play and to run around. If your home does not have an enclosed yard, or you cannot take a dog for a couple of walks each day (or hire someone to do this for you), a dog is not an appropriate pet for you. If you do have an enclosed yard, consider having two dogs, who can keep each other company and entertained for hours at a time.
A roof is not a safe or appropriate place for a dog to live, even if it has high walls around its perimeter and shelter from the sun, wind, rain, and cold weather. If your roof is the only part of your property where your dog can be outdoors, you should allow it to be there only a few hours each day. And you need to keep the area clean by removing his feces and washing away his urine every day.
Like us humans, dogs experience boredom and loneliness when left alone for long periods. Confining a dog to a lonely life on a roof is only slightly less cruel than keeping one perpetually chained.
A cat can happily live indoors, provided it has a litter box that is kept clean and toys to play with.
Your economic situation
Pets, especially dogs and cats, are expensive. They should be fed food formulated for their species, not given leftovers from your table, and good-quality pet food is costly. They require a trip to a veterinarian for vaccinations and an examination at least once a year. They need to be treated periodically for parasites, and most dogs need to be bathed and have their claws clipped every few weeks. Sterilizing dogs and cats, which we strongly recommend, can also be costly, although Amigos makes this service available to the Guanajuato community at low cost. (We request a donation of $150 pesos per animal; the average cost to us is $480 pesos.)
Like having children, having a pet should be a serious commitment, lasting for however long the animal lives. Dogs can live 12-16 years, cats 18-20 years, parakeets for 7-15 years. Therefore, it’s important to consider, before you acquire a pet, whether your economic situation allows you to give it the care it requires over its lifetime.
Your lifestyle
Are you or someone in your family home most of the day? Is there someone who can care for your pet when you must go away for more than a few hours, or if you become incapacitated? Do you have the time to give your pet the care and attention it deserves? If not, then don’t acquire one.