Things to Consider Before Buying a Cat/Dog
Are you thinking about getting a dog or a cat soon? Here are some things to think about or plan for before making this decision. A dog can live 10 to 15 years depending on the breed, and a cat can live up to twenty years! This is a long-term commitment and the decision should not be taken lightly. It is also important to plan your budget accordingly for such a commitment.
Breed
Especially for dogs, it is important to choose a breed that suits you, both in terms of the size of the animal and in terms of behavior and exercise needs. Most dogs need to be walked every day! Some breeds of dogs and cats (e.g.: Sphinx) also require a lot more daily maintenance. You should think about this before buying! Choosing a mixed breed animal is not a bad idea either. However, for dogs, it will be more difficult to predict the size of the animal when it is an adult, as well as its specific needs in terms of exercise and maintenance (long hair? short?).
Vaccination
A vaccination protocol adapted to your pet's lifestyle will prevent it from contracting various contagious diseases that can sometimes be transmitted to humans. In general, your pet's first veterinary examination should take place around 6 to 8 weeks of age, when it receives its first vaccination. After that, a booster vaccination should be done monthly until it is at least 14 weeks old for kittens and 16 weeks old for puppies. For an older pet, a vaccine followed by a single monthly booster is necessary. After that, an annual booster is recommended.
Deworming
During your first visit to your veterinarian, the latter will propose a deworming protocol adapted to your animal in order to prevent the risks of infestation by intestinal, cutaneous or other parasites (heartworms). Some parasites can be contagious to humans. A stool analysis can also be carried out on fresh stools to check if your animal is not already carrying intestinal parasites.
Food
Since your pet eats a single diet day after day, it must be balanced and of quality (certified by the AAFCO) from the first months of life. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on this subject. Quality food will have an impact on your pet's health throughout its life. It will help prevent certain skin, dental, urinary system, growth problems, etc. (problems commonly encountered with lower quality foods). Good food must contain quality proteins in adequate quantities, antioxidants, and must have a good digestibility rate. In addition, by measuring the quantity of food given at each meal, you will prevent obesity from developing in your pet.
Declawing
If you are thinking about declawing your pet, it is best to do it when your pet is young (around 2 ½ months). The procedure will be less painful than for adults and the recovery will be easier for your pet.
Sterilization
Unless you are destined for breeding, we recommend sterilization (ovariohysterectomy or castration) of your pet around 6 months of age. In females, sterilization before the first heat greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors and completely eliminates the risk of uterine infection (pyometra), a problem frequently encountered in intact females. In males, several behavioral and prostate problems will thus be prevented. In addition, having your dog or cat sterilized greatly contributes to reducing the phenomenon of animal overpopulation.
Interview
We recommend brushing your pet's teeth every day to prevent tartar buildup and many other dental problems. In dogs, ear cleaning is recommended once a week to reduce the risk of developing ear infections. To do this, you can use a commercial product or make a recipe of water and vinegar (half and half). As for them, the majority of cats clean their ears themselves. On average, a claw trim is necessary monthly.
Place of adoption
Instead of buying your new companion from a pet store, we recommend looking at shelters or SPCAs. Most of the time, these animals will have already had a veterinary examination. In addition, there is a good chance that you will literally save an animal's life by adopting it from such a place. Buying an animal directly from a breeder is also an interesting option. This way, you can be sure of your companion's pedigree while knowing more about the conditions in which the animal began its life. A good breeder will also take care to minimize certain genetically transmitted defects.
Source: Mascouche Veterinary Clinic
Breed
Especially for dogs, it is important to choose a breed that suits you, both in terms of the size of the animal and in terms of behavior and exercise needs. Most dogs need to be walked every day! Some breeds of dogs and cats (e.g.: Sphinx) also require a lot more daily maintenance. You should think about this before buying! Choosing a mixed breed animal is not a bad idea either. However, for dogs, it will be more difficult to predict the size of the animal when it is an adult, as well as its specific needs in terms of exercise and maintenance (long hair? short?).
Vaccination
A vaccination protocol adapted to your pet's lifestyle will prevent it from contracting various contagious diseases that can sometimes be transmitted to humans. In general, your pet's first veterinary examination should take place around 6 to 8 weeks of age, when it receives its first vaccination. After that, a booster vaccination should be done monthly until it is at least 14 weeks old for kittens and 16 weeks old for puppies. For an older pet, a vaccine followed by a single monthly booster is necessary. After that, an annual booster is recommended.
Deworming
During your first visit to your veterinarian, the latter will propose a deworming protocol adapted to your animal in order to prevent the risks of infestation by intestinal, cutaneous or other parasites (heartworms). Some parasites can be contagious to humans. A stool analysis can also be carried out on fresh stools to check if your animal is not already carrying intestinal parasites.
Food
Since your pet eats a single diet day after day, it must be balanced and of quality (certified by the AAFCO) from the first months of life. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on this subject. Quality food will have an impact on your pet's health throughout its life. It will help prevent certain skin, dental, urinary system, growth problems, etc. (problems commonly encountered with lower quality foods). Good food must contain quality proteins in adequate quantities, antioxidants, and must have a good digestibility rate. In addition, by measuring the quantity of food given at each meal, you will prevent obesity from developing in your pet.
Declawing
If you are thinking about declawing your pet, it is best to do it when your pet is young (around 2 ½ months). The procedure will be less painful than for adults and the recovery will be easier for your pet.
Sterilization
Unless you are destined for breeding, we recommend sterilization (ovariohysterectomy or castration) of your pet around 6 months of age. In females, sterilization before the first heat greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors and completely eliminates the risk of uterine infection (pyometra), a problem frequently encountered in intact females. In males, several behavioral and prostate problems will thus be prevented. In addition, having your dog or cat sterilized greatly contributes to reducing the phenomenon of animal overpopulation.
Interview
We recommend brushing your pet's teeth every day to prevent tartar buildup and many other dental problems. In dogs, ear cleaning is recommended once a week to reduce the risk of developing ear infections. To do this, you can use a commercial product or make a recipe of water and vinegar (half and half). As for them, the majority of cats clean their ears themselves. On average, a claw trim is necessary monthly.
Place of adoption
Instead of buying your new companion from a pet store, we recommend looking at shelters or SPCAs. Most of the time, these animals will have already had a veterinary examination. In addition, there is a good chance that you will literally save an animal's life by adopting it from such a place. Buying an animal directly from a breeder is also an interesting option. This way, you can be sure of your companion's pedigree while knowing more about the conditions in which the animal began its life. A good breeder will also take care to minimize certain genetically transmitted defects.
Source: Mascouche Veterinary Clinic