Ownat knows that having a dog or cat has countless adorable benefits. Such as...? They increase social contact, encourage a sense of responsibility, promote physical exercise, reduce stress, improve mood and guarantee us a million moments full of magic (and much else besides!).
Now, you have to be realistic, since they can also bring some less “beautiful” things, which you must take into account and be aware of. To put all this into perspective, we have compiled a brief guide with all the relevant information and guidelines. If you decide to add a new member to the family, you will be able to do so responsibly. It summarises all the obligations and the necessary precautions to prevent possible risks, helps you provide your pet with all the necessary care and ensures you never consider abandoning it.
LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING:
WHY DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A PET?
WHY DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A PET?
It seems like a somewhat innocent question, but it is something that you should definitely consider at the start of the fascinating journey you are about to embark on. In general, there are a number of quite common circumstances that are usually the trigger for wanting a pet. Did you know that? Let's list a few and see if you identify with any.
“I want a pet to keep me company”, “The children want one”, “It's very cute”, “I want a dog to defend my home”, “I have seen a dog/cat and I feel sorry for it”, “It’s a gift”, “It won't be any trouble”, etc. Do any of these ring a bell for you? Well, although almost any of these reasons can seem genuine, you must be very aware that you should never acquire a dog or cat on impulse, even less if you can't afford the time to spend with it and take care of it or if your lifestyle is incompatible. In such a case, you would not be able to meet its needs.
A 10 OR 15-YEAR ADVENTURE
You have to think long term. Our dog or cat will stay with you for many years. What does this mean and why is it important to keep it in mind? Because this means a long-term commitment, not just a fleeting one. Throughout your life, routines will change. There will be big and small changes; many of them will also impact your dog or cat. Your commitment is long-term, and you must live up to it. This is very clearly seen inside pet sanctuaries where you can see many sad cases of abandoned older dogs and cats.
A PET AFFECTS THE WHOLE FAMILY
It is important that the whole family takes on the commitment and know what it means since your dog or cat will live with all of them. What should you be aware of? Does any of the family have an allergy to animals; is anyone very worried about the issue of hairs around the house; does anyone have phobias or fears, etc? If everything is fine and everyone is in agreement, it does not hurt to draw up a table of responsibilities showing who will be responsible for walking, bathing, taking to the vet, feeding, etc., and when. Often, when you visit a shelter to adopt a pet, the shelter will allow you to come with the whole family so that all of you can interact with the dog or cat. This is an opportunity to see how everything can work out (including the "chemistry" between you all).
COSTS AT A GLANCE
There are a number of predictable initial expenses such as sterilization, chip, feeders, bed and accessories that you will certainly have to meet at the start. And then there are the other recurring expenses that every dog or cat will require on an annual basis, without taking into account that it may fall ill or have some type of medical condition.
What are the common recurring expenses? Feeding (remember that this will depend on the weight and size of your pet, the amount of food they need and that the cost can vary considerably), vet fees, de-worming drugs, training (if you need it to improve or reinforce behaviours), etc. are common additional costs. In addition, you should consider other extra expenses that may arise throughout the year (such as an operation, kennels when you are on holiday, insurance, etc.). The range of costs of all these factors can be broad, but it will be a minimum of between €700 and €1,500 for dogs and between €350 and €1,400 for cats.
Be aware that, with regard to sterilization, animal shelters must sterilize any animal before delivering it for adoption, or you must sign a sterilization commitment if the pet is not old enough. This has already been the case at all reputable shelters for many years.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE
INTO ACCOUNT?
INTO ACCOUNT?
IS IT BETTER TO HAVE A DOG OR A CAT?
There are a number of important differences between a dog and a cat, beyond the personal preferences you may have. Dogs need more company, they need to walk between 2 and 3 times a day and in general they need more space to live than cats. Cats on the other hand are more independent, need less space to live but it should be stimulating, are more territorial and more sensitive to changes (which by the way, will depend a lot on your lifestyle).
YOUNG OR ADULT?
A puppy or kitten will always require more time, therefore, you must have the time to spare and a good deal of patience as well since there will inevitably be some “issues” in your house (damage, pee, etc.). If you are thinking of adopting, the shelters do not usually have a lot of puppies at any one time, unless they are rescues or have an unexpected litter. Adult dogs and cats, in general, are calmer and if they have socialised normally and properly they will tend to adapt easily to a new home.
FEMALE OR MALE?
Males are usually larger than females, pee in small amounts to mark their territory and can sometimes behave somewhat “badly” or disobey if there are females nearby. Females, on the other hand, are usually in heat 2 or 3 times a year (it usually lasts several weeks, and at this time they become more nervous, are less obedient and can bark or meow more often).
PURE OR CROSS BREED?
Pure breed dogs and cats generally have a series of specific characteristics. Not just in appearance but also in behaviour and personality. There are breeds that, for example, can tolerate certain climates (they may tolerate the cold better), others that perform certain activities better (such as herding sheep, providing help or protection), others that tend to have a more nervous, more active character, etc. These are aspects that you must take into account when you are thinking of a specific breed, so think carefully about the type of life you have and the activities you plan to carry out with your pet. Cross breed animals are more resilient, tend to be longer-lived, and their character or behaviour is not as “standardised,” so they may be less predictable.
SPECIAL NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF
There are a number of mandatory, and other advisable, treatments for dogs and cats that are also different. For both, rabies and echinococcosis are two diseases that must be kept at bay. Puppies specifically may suffer from, hepatitis, leptospirosis, distemper and parvovirosis. Cats need protection or treatment against panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis, leukaemia and infectious peritonitis.
¡Ah! Another important aspect that you should consider is what you are going to do with your pet when you go on holiday (leave it with family, cat or dog sitter, take it with you, leave it in a pet camp or kennel, etc.). Think about this now because you will have to solve it in the future.
WHERE CAN I FIND
MY DOG OR CAT?
MY DOG OR CAT?
This question is key and certainly should not be overlooked, as it can make a difference to the well-being of many other dogs and cats. Of course, wherever you go, there are a number of aspects that you should certainly inform yourself about before taking a pet home: race, maximum size that it could reach, date of birth, sex, character and personality, pedigree (if it is pure breed) and important body signs. And last but not least, if it is potentially dangerous, remember to seek all the permits and learn everything you need to know.
Going into detail about where you can acquire a dog or a cat, there are not that many options: a shelter (this is a wonderful option and very advisable since there are hundreds of dogs and cats looking for a family that loves them and who are willing to give all their love), breeding kennel or store (always check that it has an official establishment registration number), through the internet (make sure that the source is legal and that it has a registration number) or directly from a private individual (that's also fine, but keep in mind that they can’t offer the same guarantees).
Please be aware that in the sale and purchase of animals, each country has its own regulations. So you must inform yourself of the law in the country where you reside to find out where you can get a pet.
Ownat has contacts with numerous animal shelters and can help you as much as possible and give advice. If you follow us on the social networks you can see some of the things we do, or you can easily ask us directly 😊.
