Pet Q&A -- Finding the Best Pet for You

*Question: How do I select the pet that is best for our family?

In the first place, never purchase a pet on impulse. Bringing a cute kitten or puppy home just because it was adorable is seldom a good idea.

Sit down and discuss the matter of pets together as a family first. Don't forget to consider the following in your discussion: grooming, daily feeding, personal attention and house training (if applicable). It would also be a good idea to ask each person in the household why they want a pet. It's a good idea to make sure your children understand that a pet is another member of the family, not just another play thing, and the pet's individual needs should be considered alongside other members of the family.

Then, review your lifestyle. Assuming, for example, you have a downtown apartment or work long hours. In this case it may be best to consider a pet such as a bird, a cat or maybe even a fish. If you do a lot of jogging or running, then a dog might be a good choice for you.

To get a better idea of the needs of a potential pet, you can talk to breeders and other pet owners. Find local pet shows and talk to the judges. You can surf the internet for specific breeds to learn more about the pet you want to add to your family. Of course, it's always a good idea to consider the ages of your children when planning to add a new pet to your household. Not only this, but consider the life expectancy of the pet for bonding purposes.

*Question: Which is best - to get a pet from the local animal shelter or from a pet store like PetsMart?

Some people swear by animal shelters, while others prefer pet stores. Weighing the two, I feel it is recommended to get pets from a shelter. Animals at a sheleter are well-cared for by the staff and have had plenty of interaction with people. The shelter's staff can tell you quite a bit about the animals to help you find the pet that you want. The staff can tell you which dog enjoys long walks, or which animal loves children. In addition, animals from a shelter have already been treated with the necessary immunizations, and have already been neutered or spayed.

If, instead, you decide to look for a pet from a pet store, be sure to get a briefing from the store owner regarding that animal's attitude, primarily for dogs, cats and other animals with a good amount of interconnction with humans.

*Question: How do I determine the kind of dog that is best for me?

You should follow basic steps in choosing the right type of dog for you:

- Find and read pet guides to learn about a certain dog breed's background or tendencies or temperament or personality. Surf the internet for online guides that tell you about the more people-friendly types of dogs.

- Consult a veterinarian to discuss details about the characteristics and disposition of the breed you are looking for. Ask questions to understand more about it.

- If you are planning to find a puppy at a pet store, be sure to ask for the dog's status -- things like its origin or physical problems or breed's anomalies or behavioral problems. Otherwise, you can also find dogs and other animals at animal shelters or from a private breeder.

- Of course, one of the very best methods (though not very scientific) is to talk to your friends about the various types of dog breeds they have owned.

Paige Harbold gives Natural Dog Care Tips. As editor of Pet-HQ.com, she offers expert pet advice and writes Pet Care Questions and Answers for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.