Dr. Wikander recommends you consider the following twelve questions before obtaining your next pet:
➢ What is the purpose of adopting a pet? Are you looking for a companion or an animal to compete in agility training? This will affect the specie and breed of pet you choose.
➢ Does anyone in the family have allergies? If so, what are they? Consider all family members who may spend time with your proposed pet. Hairless pets or poodles and their crosses may be best for you. A rex cat may be less allergy stimulating than other cat breeds.
➢ Are there children in the household? If so, what are their ages? Experts strongly advise against getting a dog when there are children under 6 in the home. They believe managing young children and a dog can be difficult especially if the dog exhibits a fear response to children that could become aggression. Cats may be a better choice for a family with small children as most cats learn to avoid young, active children.
➢ How much time will you have to exercise the pet? Dogs should have at least one 15-minute walk a day.
➢ Do you have access to exercise areas? Dogs should have access to a fenced yard, a local park, or an off-leash park. Cats and caged pets need exercise, too.
➢ For how much of the day will the pet be alone? Dogs should not have to be alone for more than ten hours a day.
➢ How much grooming and shedding can you deal with? Some breeds require more grooming than others. Be sure you know what you are getting in for before you choose your new pet. Can you do the grooming required or will you need a professional groomer? How often? At what expense?
➢ How much room do you have in your home? An English mastiff is probably not a good fit for a small apartment.
➢ Do you have room for cages, an aquarium, or litter boxes? Cats need one litter box per cat PLUS one extra. Exotic pets have special requirements that can be costly and time consuming to manage.
➢ How much can you financially manage with the pet? The larger the pet, the greater the costs are for feeding, general care, and medical needs. Exotics require specialty care and management. You will need a veterinarian that has specialized knowledge of that species husbandry and medical care.
➢ Have you considered how adding a new pet to your household will affect your current pet? Discuss the possible repercussions with your veterinarian and how best to handle them should they occur.
➢ Have you had a pet before? Less-demanding pets can be a great way to get early experience. For example, if you like birds, getting a cockatiel before a macaw would be a good choice.
Pampered Pet Clinic is a preventative care based clinic located in Hillsboro that provides uncompromising individual attention and the latest in medical and surgical services in an unhurried family atmosphere. Patient health and client education is the focus of their friendly empathetic staff. Services offered include comprehensive medical, dental, and surgical health care, as well as nutritional, geriatric, behavioral, and flea control consultations. The clinic is located at 2401 N.E. Cornell Rd. in Hillsboro behind Burgerville on the corner of 25th and Cornell. Call 503-693-1598 or visit www.pamperedpetclinic.com to learn more.