Giving A Dog or Cat for Christmas - How to Select the Right Pet
by Lorrie Davids(398)
Thinking about getting a dog, cat or other pet for someone special this Christmas? An animal is a popular gift item at Christmas, but not necessarily a smart one. But who can resist those cute puppy dog eyes at Christmas? There are reasons not to buy a pet as a Christmas gift. I'll list a few of them.
What is the age of the person receiving the gift? If your two year old it totally taken by every kitty he sees, that doesn't mean he is ready for the responsibility of the pet. Consider the needs of the animal. It will need to be fed, groomed, walked and have its waste cleaned up, just to name a few of the care tasks. Most 2 year olds have just mastered their own bodily functions and can't handle taking on another's.
What kind of pet are you giving? You need to consider the breed, temperament and size of the animal. If you try to give a Siberian Husky puppy to a woman who works all day and lives in an apartment, the result will be a very upset human and dog. Huskies are one of the breeds who will not stay 15 pounds, but will grow, chew, talk and demand much exercise. They are part of a group of canines known as a working breed.
What is the lifestyle of the recipient? If an active teen or adult who loves to hike, jog and all other things outdoor an active dog might be a good choice. If your gift-ee loves to curl up on the sofa and read, you may want to consider a low energy dog or a cat.
Is the person home much? If not, chances are they don't even want a pet. But, if they do, consider a lower maintenance pet. Some breeds of cats are happy as long as they have a warm windowsill, food, water and clean litter.
Here is the best way to select a pet: Take the person who will be caring for the pet along. If it is to be his or her pet, the recipient should have a say in choosing. Surprising someone with a pet, no matter how much movies romanticize it, is not a good idea. I am a firm believer that the pet selects its human as much as the human selects its pet. If the decision to get a pet as a gift has been made, make a coupon good for one pet and all its "stuff" and wrap it up just as you would any other gift. Then, take the person to the shelter, breeder, or SPCA and watch the magic as your gift-ee finds his best friend.
Local shelters and SPCA organizations are filled with animals that didn't fit into a person's lifestyle. Often pets are set free to fend for themselves and if they are lucky enough to end up in a shelter, may be euthanized anyway just because they didn't fit.
Think hard on this decision. The commitment that goes with an animal can be as long as 20 years. That's longer than raising a child! Do your homework. Maybe the better thing to do for your loved one and the animal is head to the toy store for a stuffed animal.
Article submitted Saturday, December 05, 2009 & read 154 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Marijo Phelps(30) (94 days 22 hours ago.)
YES! Great article and wonderfully posed considerations. What do I want for Christmas? A kitten. But we have been there and done this many times and are ready to take responsibility for whatever we adopt in the feline department- after a neighborhood Christmas party we both decided that we are not ready for a canine. they have a wonderful chocolate lab - but she almost licked the dip (I intervened just in time) and she kept licking me... also had a smalled dog who bites and is unpredictable... I sat with their Siamese in my lap and we got along just fine. GOOD party for helping our animal dilemma.Respond to this comment
