Allowing A New Pet To Get Used To Its Owner

Going to a pet store to purchase a pet is something that should only be done with a great deal of research in advance.Anyone looking to purchase a new pet should first ask himself or herself if it is really the right thing to do. A pet should not simply be purchased based on the way it looks. Yes, there are numerous great looking dogs, cats, hamsters or rabbits in a pet store, but purchasing one without knowing anything about it is a mistake.

Prospective owners need to know how large a pet grows after it reaches maturity, what accessories it needs, how much food costs, and more. Even a small hamster requires much more than a hamster cage, and even reptiles need more than vivariums in which to live.

After purchasing a pet, finding accessories and purchasing them from a regular pet shop or from an online pet shop is not a problem.Arriving home with their pet is usually the moment when new pet owners realise if they have made a mistake or not. It is the first couple of days that are the most important time, as these are the days when a connection between pet and owner is formed. The pet, regardless of its type, starts to understand that there is nothing to fear from the owner, and that he or she is also feeding and caring for it, while the owner starts to understand exactly what his or her new pet is like and what it likes doing.

This accommodation period, as it is called, can last much more than a couple of days though. Suspicious pets such as hamsters and rabbits will require much more time with their new owner to get to know him or her. This can take as long as six months, and this is a period in which there will be little to no contact between pet and owner, except for the regular feeding.

Dogs and cats have a much smaller accommodation period, and it is not unusual for cats to start bonding with their new owner after only a day. Dogs can do the same, but there will be a difficult period with puppies crying after their mother at night. New pet owners will sometimes feel scared, especially if they spot something wrong with their pet. Panic is the first reaction, but that should be avoided, as it does not help the owner or the pet.

A trip to the local vet is mandatory after getting the pet, and whenever a problem is spotted or suspected. Only the vet can tell for sure if the pet is actually ill, or simply sad and depressed. Pet owners who do not spend a lot of time with their new pet may discover exactly how much this hurts it, as depression sets in and causes the pet to become lethargic.

Pet owners may think that buying a lot of toys for their new pet is enough to keep it occupied and that it will not notice the large amount of time it spends alone. This is not true, and all pets will notice it, but each will react differently. Cats may be pleased to be left alone for long periods of time, as they will simply sleep or watch out the window, but dogs on the other hand will severely dislike being left all alone for longer periods of time, and will either start barking or will start breaking and chewing things in the house.

Toys purchased from an online pet shop may keep a pet happy for a short period of time, but what keeps it happy for long periods of time is constant interaction with its owner. A pet needs to play with its owner regularly, and feel cared for and loved. Even a small hamster, locked in its hamster cage will be happy to see its owner, not only because it knows it is feeding time, but also because he is hoping for a pat or to be left outside to wander a little. Reptiles in vivariums will likewise be happy to see their owner, but this is generally strictly because they know it is feeding time, and not because they are keen on too much interaction. 

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Pets on Budget

A Quotes that i really agreed :

"They say that people who keep pets tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives" 

This may be because keeping pets means that we have something to talk to that responds happily to cuddles and strokes, something that loves us back and listens to us, and (if we keep dogs) something that will make sure that we go for regular walks. However, pets can also come expensive. If some experts are to believed (usually the experts who are trying to sell us something, it should be said), pets need top-quality food, regular treatment for worms and fleas, vaccinations, special toys, treats to train them with, special beds, coats to keep them warm. The list just seems to go on and on. Even humble goldfish seem to have an extensive list of things that they need to keep them healthy and happy. It almost seems as if the price tag that comes with pets outweighs the stress-beating benefits of owning a pet.

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This isn't quite true. Quite a few of these things can be done on the cheap without any ill effects on your pet. This article will look at some of these for cats and for dogs, as this is what the writer is most familiar with.

First of all, it is important to state that you should not cut costs by avoiding desexing cats (especially female cats) or by skipping annual vaccinations. Also, you should see your vet if your pet is obviously in pain or unwell. However, you don't need to race to the vet for every little scrape, bump or cut - cats are easily able to sleep off a cut or abscess (see the vet if your cat goes off his/her food), and dogs also heal up pretty easily from cuts, as long as they do not become infected. Dogs are easier to restrain, so you can get away with not desexing them, although an on-heat bitch will be a bit messy indoors. Keep up a regular worming schedule, but you can use over-the-counter worm pills, which are cheaper than getting the vet to do it (crush them and add them to food, or wrap them in something tasty to get a pet to eat them).

First of all: food. Dogs are pretty omnivorous - scavengers, even - and they do not need fancy brands of pet food to be happy and healthy. Dogs are very good at eating the fat you trim off meat, not to mention bones left over from roasts, chops and stews. It is said that you should not give a dog chicken bones. However, our dog used to nick them off the compost heap or out of the rubbish with no ill effects, so now we give them to him directly. Dogs eat all sorts of leftovers - any meat, dairy or starch product will be wolfed down gratefully, plus the occasional bit of leftover potato or pumpkin. Dairy products in particular seem to give a dog a nice glossy coat. If you don't get enough leftovers from the bottoms of saucepans, rejected (or dropped) crusts, fat, bones and other unwanted bits, kids who have eyes bigger than their stomachs, and stuff scraped off plates at the end of the meal prior to washing, then cheap dog sausage or dog biscuits can fill the rest of the way. Beware of giving a dog too much starchy food if he/she spends time indoors, as this will make them break wind frequently.

For cats, bear in mind that cats need a higher amount of protein in their diets than dogs do, so don't try to feed them on leftover porridge too much. However, leftover meat and trimmed off fat is always appreciated. Cats can be fussy about their food and only accept certain brands, so start on the cheap and buy cut-price or home-brand cat food so you don't have the problems of trying to get a cat to switch off a high-class brand if you need to save a few pennies. If you put a collar on a cat (which you don't really need to), don't put a bell on it - your cat will then be able to supplement his/her diet by catching mice and birds. Don't be squeamish about this - a cat is a predator by design and instinct, so let them hunt. Do not try to cut costs by feeding a cat on dog food - dog food has a higher starch/carbohydrate level than cat food and won't meet their needs. You can, however, give a dog cat food.

Don't bother with special toys for pets - look at what you already have. Sticks and ropes work well as chew toys for dogs, although my Staffordshire Bull Terrier likes to chew a 4x4 tyre suspended from a tree branch. Cats will play chase with all sorts of things like string, balls of paper, handkerchiefs, even large marbles - one cat I owned used to chase cricket balls.

A pet can bed down quite nicely on old clothes and tatty blankets that are unfit for human use. A dog will appreciate having its own spot, such as a kennel or a basket, but a cat will sleep anywhere it feels safe and comfy - some spots that my cats have chosen to sleep include the linen cupboard, the dust sheet on a printer, the end of the bed (a winner with most cats), a toybox full of teddies and a drumkit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6868621

PS: Should be the same for hamster. I'll write Hamster on Budget later, hammies <3