Pets Home| Dogs| Cats| Birds| Aquariums| Reptiles| Hamsters| About Us| Contact Us Have a question about pet supplies you need answered? Please contact us here (Note: for pet health questions, please contact a registered Veterinarian in your community): Web Hosting by Doteasy You can also send an email to us at: Owning a Pet Owning a pet is a wonderful decision as they're are an excellent addition to your family. However, it is important to take into consideration several factors when deciding which type you want to have. Different animals have different temperaments, or “personalities”. It's therefore essential to choose one who’s temperament matches your own temperament or personality. It's also important to determine how much time you're willing to spend. Different animals require a different amount of attention and care, so it's important to know how much time you're willing to spend with a pet, before you get it. You should also carefully consider the short and long-term financial costs like buying supplies and veterinary costs for each animal, and what you can expect with various types of pets. Owning pets can enrich a family, and add much happiness to a family. Decisions to own pets should be carefully made, so they remain wanted and loved. They'll become an important part of your family. Choosing a Pet When choosing a pet, you must take into account how much time, money for supplies and effort you want to invest in their care and base your decision on this. Long-haired varieties of dogs and cats require more bathing and grooming to keep their skin healthy and their coats looking attractive. Pet Supplies along with veterinary costs are an important part of regular care. Dogs Large dogs need a large fenced area in which to run loose while at home, and they need a good long walk or run on a leash at least once per day, in addition to the regular bathroom breaks outside that they need. Smaller dogs can be kept indoors most times and can be house-trained (paper-trained), but they really do enjoy going out for walks on a leash too, at least two to three times per week. Large dogs will require more food to eat than small dogs, of course. Cats Both dogs and cats need lots of love, attention and affection, but cats tend to be more independent, can be litter trained in order to be kept indoors, and they don't mind being alone at home during the day while their owner(s) are working. If you have a second cat to keep the first one company, they're even more content in being at home. Food, water and toys must be provided as well to keep the cat(s) happy and entertained during all those hours alone. Vaccinations and medical fees for veterinary care, along with their products and supplies, tend to be higher priced for dogs than cats. Birds Birds are very spectacular as they can learn to speak if you work with them enough. Some can even develop a vocabulary equivalent to a small toddler. If you plan on owning a bird, you should be willing to spend a lot of time with it. Birds require a lot of social interaction. They enjoy being around people and becoming part of a family. Birds also live a very long life, so you should realize when buying a bird, this is an animal that could potentially be around for a very long time. Aquariums / Fish Keeping fish aquariums can be a very rewarding experience and hobby, but it does pose its own challenges and expenses as well. Fish don't require veterinary care, but various aquarium products and supplies must be replaced every one to three months since they're essential to keeping optimum water conditions, which in turn keep them in good health. If a fish does become ill, it is not easy to diagnose the disease, but you can get medications available at pet supply stores which usually cure the fish of its disease, providing that owner notices the symptoms of the particular disease, in the early stages, and treats immediately. If the disease is not treated promptly, it can lead to the death of the fish. Partial water changes once a week are important to keep the level of nitrate and ammonia levels down. Other factors important to the health of the fish, are pH levels and temperature of the water. All in all though, watching goldfish swim in an aquarium is one of the most relaxing, calming and enjoyable experiences and is the reason why many dentist's office keep an aquarium...patients view it while waiting for their scheduled dental appointment. Reptiles There are so many different reptiles to choose from including lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, and many more. You can find a reptile that fits comfortably in your living quarters like small frogs and lizards, or large lizards and snakes. Small Pets Small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats, make the best pets for very young children. For example, guinea pigs act like a small dog. Hamsters might be the best choice because they are small and easy to take care of. Rats can make good pets because they are highly intelligent. Summary When choosing a pet, the best decision is to consider how much time, money for supplies and effort you're prepared to invest in their care. Most important is the attention and love you'll give your pet, as a pet becomes part of your life. Shop at PETsMART Copyright 2000-2008 petsestore.com. All rights reserved. This page last modified May/2008.