Pets, Pets, Pets

Visions and Biddy, having some fun with a shipping box

I got to thinking about pets in general this week, and about how sometimes people just really don't know what they're getting into with various animals.

So...

What Pet Is Right?

Where do you live?

City apartment, suburban home, country house, farm?

If you live in a city apartment or flat, you may have to pay a large pet deposit for pets such as dogs or cats. Cage animals may be more appropriate. These include animals like Sugar gliders, Hamsters, Ferrets, Birds (no, none of them smell, if properly cared for. I've had all of them, and they don't smell bad.)

Tropical fish, Goldfish, Salamanders (no, they don't cost a fortune, but keeping aquaria healthy does take some work)

Snakes, Lizards (no, they don't HAVE to have live food, and they are easy to care for, but remember, snakes never stop growing, and all reptiles can have skin issues)

If you live in a house, or on a farm, your scope for pets is a little larger. You may find that dogs and cats are just the thing for your family. Just remember, cats and dogs are cats and dogs. They're not mini-humans, and however smart they may be, the DO have hard-coded instincts.

One side note for farm parents -- be careful of children who become attached to livestock. It does happen. If it happens in your household, you're going to have to make a decision -- do you butcher or auction the animal as usual or do you keep it as a pet? While it's true that chickens and calves and piglets and kids are raised for the table, it is sometimes also true that a child becomes attached to an animal. Think about this NOW, and try to work out how you'll deal with it, if it happens.

Does anyone have any allergies?

If you have allergies to pet dander, then you may not want furry pets. If you're allergic to "everything out there" then even an aquarium might not be a good idea for you, because there is always algae in a healthy aquarium, and it can become airborne, no matter what. You may find that insects, tarantulas, or reptiles will work better for you.

How old are our children, if any?

Some pets just aren't right for very young kids. Anything that might bite if handled roughly, might not be a good plan with very young kids, because they aren't quite careful enough -- they're still learning to control their motor functions, including their fingers and hands.

Some cats do great with kids. So do some dogs. But some dogs don't appreciate children, particularly if the dog was in the family first! And some dogs take almost as much care as a child to begin with, so think carefully before you get a dog or cat.

Pet Training
Cage animals don't have to be trained, obviously. And most of them aren't quite intelligent enough to be trained.

Housetraining
However... Cats, Dogs, and Pot-belly pigs, can, and should, be housetrained. If you provide a clean sandbox, and feed your cat at set times, then within an hour of feeding, the cat will be ready to use the box. If he starts to squat anywhere other than the box, pick him up and put him in it. Eventually, in about three days, even the dumbest kitten figures it out. If you have older cats, they may actually help train the newer cat.

Dogs and pigs, the most common pets, are even easier to housetrain. Feed the pet at specific times. Within an hour of eating, the pet will show signs of needing to go out. They'll sniff around, they may whine, they'll go to the door if they can smell outside. We've trained our dogs to scratch the door when they need "ou'side", and we've found that the older dogs will teach newer dogs the same thing. Pigs will also do this, though of course they make a funny little grunty noise, instead of whining.

Leash, Come, Sit, and Stay

You may or may not be able to teach a cat these things. However, if you live in town and the cat goes outside, you will still need to teach the cat to accept a leash and collar or harness -- for the cat's own safety.

Dogs (and pigs) can be trained, and have to be. First, put the collar on the dog or pig, and let him wear it for an hour or so -- and do nothing else. After an hour, clip the leash on, hold the end, and again do nothing else. After about ten minutes more, you can begin teaching Come.

And that's ALL you do for the first week. The second week, you teach Sit, and keep working on Come. The third week you teach Stay, and keep working on Sit and Come. The fourth week you teach Heel on the lead, and keep working on Come, Sit, and Stay.

There are literally thousands of pet training sites out there. Just keep in mind, animals are not people. They can be taught to interact with people, and other animals, but their hard-coded instincts are part of the reason we keep pets. We like the fact that dogs are protective, cats are social, and pigs like company. That's why we choose those pets. But the fact is, that protective dog might frighten or bite if not trained. That social cat might decide the middle of the floor is a good litterbox. That company-loving pig may decide your son's bed is the only place for a pig to sleep. So train your pet, gently but firmly, and remember, do not ever strike a pet.

And again, for farm families, try to teach that yes, some animals are there to provide food, and that a heifer may get agressive if her calf is threatened, a sow may bite if she thinks someone is going to hurt her pigs, and even a chicken can get pretty mean if provoked.

Pet Grooming
All pets have to be groomed. Some animals do this themselves -- hamsters, birds, sugar gliders. But some pets need our help.

Snakes and other reptiles, for instance, need something slightly scratchy at least once a year, so they can wiggle and squirm out of their old skins.

Fish don't generally need much grooming, but you may have to add "slime" or "ick-medicine" to their water from time to time. This keeps them from getting infections, and keeps their scales and skin healthy.

Pigs need to be bathed monthly, and may need to be brushed periodically with a soft-bristle brush. Their hooves need to be checked, too, and trimmed -- professionally -- to keep them healthy.

Dogs and cats, of course, have to be brushed at least weekly, even for short haired cats, and dog breeds like chihuahuas. That helps loosen old, dead skin, and old, dead hair -- just like brushing your own hair does for you. Brushing them also helps keep shed fur off your furniture and out of the air.

They also need their nails trimmed, very carefully. If your dog or cat has "dark" nails, and you can't easily see the little pink line that is the network of tissue and blood vessels -- then don't trim. Let the vet do it.

Dogs and cats shouldn't be bathed much more often than monthly. Their skins, and bodies, aren't used to that, and they'll get dry itchy skin, and be uncomfortable.

Dogs, cats, and pigs all need flea-tick-mosquito protection. You can buy this over the counter, or you can buy it from your vet, but either way, follow the application directions EXACTLY.

Pet Care including Feeding, Exercising, and The Vet!

Almost any good commercial food will work for your pet. Remember, though, younger animals may need additional vitamins, and older animals may need some supplements. If you're not sure whether your pet needs such things, then check with your vet.

Cage animals need exercise. Small furry cage animals need a wheel to run in, or plastic roam-balls to run about in. Fish need enough room to swim freely. Birds need enough space to open their wings, even if they don't actually fly.

Cats need room in the house, or safe places outdoors to run, climb, and lie in the sun. (Yes, for cats, that does count as exercise.)

Dogs and pigs need space to run and play, jump and chase, and frisk around, even if it must be at the end of a long leash.

When you travel in a car with your pet, whether it's a few miles to a play area, or a trip to the vet, or anything else, then you need to be sure your pet is safe. Cage animals need to have their cage cover over the cage, and the cage needs to be fastened into a back seat with the seat belt.

Larger animals need to be in appropriately sized carriers, which also need to be fastened in securely. It is NOT a kindness to let your nervous cat or unhappy dog roam loose in the car. What if the animal gets in the way of driving? What if you have to stop suddenly? You wouldn't let a child bounce around loose in the car, so don't let your animal do it either, for their safety and for yours.

Keep your pet under control at the vet's. Just because other people let their animals and kids misbehave, that doesn't mean yours should. Keep your pet leashed or confined. That way you are still in control, even if other pet owners are not.

If your pet needs treatment or medication, then be sure you understand exactly what the vet wants you to do, and be sure you follow your vet's instructions. If you don't get it -- ASK! You're paying the vet for his services, and he's more than happy to explain and make sure you're comfortable!

Unless you have animals registered with certain breeding clubs, consider spaying or neutering your dog, cat, or pig. (Even rats, hamsters, sugar gliders, and ferrets can be spayed or neutered, by the way.)

And one last thing....

Over the years, I've discovered that some of the best cats and dogs don't have fancy pedigrees or high prices... They come from the kennel at the vet's, or from the animal shelter. They are often some of the most loveable, most intelligent, most wonderful pets to be had. The two best herding dogs I EVER had, were vet-mutts. Yet, they were so good at what they did that people offered me good money for both -- which I refused, of course; I need my dogs!

So, if you decide that a pet isn't feasible for you, you might instead consider contributing a little money to your local shelter.