Buy a WhiskerTHE KID’S BEGGING YOU FOR ONE. A PET WOULD MAKE HIS DREAM COME TRUE. SO WHAT DO YOU DO – SWAP THE CHRISTMAS LEGO FOR A LABRADOODLE? DON’T BE SWAYED BY PROMISES OF AN ETERNALLY TIDY BEDROOM AND BROCCOLI-WORSHIP BEFORE YOU’VE LOOKED AT THE LONG-TERM REALITY. ANNI BOR GIVES PAWS FOR THOUGHT TO WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE A PET OWNER… |
Kiddie Cats
Kiddie Cats Kids love nothing more than curling up with a bundle of fur. Independent yet affectionate, cats make great pets because they’re clean, can amuse themselves and are low maintenance.
Pointers long-haired cats moult and need regular grooming, so are more suitable for older kids. Short-haired cats moult less; however, their claws can be sharp, so you’ll need to keep these trimmed. Choose a kitten that’s at least eight weeks old. Check the kitten has no discharge from its nose or eyes, and where possible, inspect the mother’s general health.
Outlay litter tray and litter (try pellets made from wood chips – they avoid nasty niffs), a cat bed, worming tablets, identity chip; plus vet bills, which will include their 14-week vaccination, spaying, and dealing with the inevitable scrapes your cat gets into. And of course their food, which is estimated at £25 per month.
Upkeep because of their independent nature, cats are relatively easy to keep. So long as they’re litter-tray trained. They will need grooming and you’ll need to decide on whether it’s an outdoor cat or more of an inside purr-son. Check the site below for an albeit one-sided debate.
Life cats can live up to 96 (20 in human years) so be sure you can love it when it’s old and grey and dribbly.
www.cat-lovers-only.com has oodles about breeds and behaviours
The Dogs Frolics
He’s the king of Christmas wish-lists most kiddies dream of discovering, leg cocked on the tree come Christmas morning. Affectionate, loyal and generous of heart; you’ll need to be, too, if you’re to give a dog the live it deserves.
Pointers dogs need space to run around in, so a Great Dane in your city flat? Don’t think so. Do your research and go for breeds with gentle natures, and be sure you know how big your pup will grow. The Blue Cross animal-welfare charity suggests buying a puppy from a specialist dog breeder rather than a pet store so you can see the puppy in its home environment. Avoid puppies with distended tummies, dull eyes and dull coat, and those that are nervous around people, especially children.
Outlay food, vets bills, vaccinations and kennelling… According to The Kennel Club, it costs around £25 a week to keep a dog – that’s £1,200 a year.
Upkeep dogs are high maintenance – they need house-training, grooming, and a good walk at least once every day. Leaving a dog alone in a house all day every day is tantamount to cruelty, so can you really accommodate? Read up on your dog’s breed to see how much of effort they’ll be begging for, and remember you’ll be held legally responsible for any of its unsociable antics.
Life around 15 years, so you have to be committed to your responsibilities. www.thekennelclub.org.uk has lots of expert info on buying and owning dogs. Try before you buy! www.cinnamon.org.uk is an organisation that pairs up pets of the elderly and infirm with volunteer walkers. Get some fresh air and get a feel for dogs.
Nice Bird
A bird in a cage never fails to fascinate a child – or tempt him to stick his finger through the bars. But owning a bird has to be more than a fancy of flight. If you don’t want to be responsible for a sobbing sparra, give thought, time and money to making its life a happy one.
Pointers go for a locally bred bird as, according to the Humane Society of the US, 80% of birds caught in the wild die in the course of capture and shipment. Want a cuddle? Go for a cockatoo. Fancy a show-off? Coo at a Macaw. A good talker? The African Grey’s chatty. But for many families, the humble budgie is a safe bet, as they’re always affectionate and will only gently nibble those extremities..
Outlay all birds, regardless of size, need big cages; either because of little ones’ constant agitation or because big ones, like parrots, need room to move. Along with buying a cage, you’ll need to purchase stocks of a well-balanced mix of bird seed, cage liners and a beak-sharpening post.
Upkeep don’t over-feed your bird, and never keep it in the kitchen – fumes from non-stick cookware are highly toxic to birds. Like all pets, birds need companionship and regular mental and physical stimulation. The radio or telly can help if you’re out all day, but this is a sensitive creature deserving of constant and genuine affection.
Life small birds live anywhere from seven to 10 years while some large ones can live for more than 50 years! www.saferpets.co.uk has information on choosing your bird.
Gone Fishing
Nothing beats an aquarium – kids’ll sit and stare at ‘em. Yes, well, children certainly find their slow, mesmerising antics endlessly fascinating. They also love the way fish fire gravel from their mouths and long stringy bits from their bottoms. Hmm…
Pointers make it easy on yourself by sticking to coldwater fish. While tropical fish are visually superior, the temperature-taking and increased maintenance can prove a real chore for timestretched parents. And there a plenty of cold water curiosities, like the Panda, Bubble Eye, Butterfly and Celestial goldfishes, most of which look like something from the Muppets.
Outlay tanks, filters, lights, food all add up, but these are the big one-off costs and fish food is generally inexpensive.
Upkeep tanks should be kept away from sunlight to avoid over-heating the water, and the sprouting of sludgy moss, and remember that 20% of the water should be changed twice a week. Once a month you’ll need to clean the tank, which you can make fun for the kids by getting in there and doing it together. But make sure your little ones don’t overfeed their fishy friends - it can make fish sick and contaminate the tank. If you’re going away, you can buy feeding blocks that slowly dissolve, which makes them an ideal low-maintenance pet.
Life fish may last anywhere from one to five years. Watch your fish for signs of stress (sidestroke, panicked gulping), fish louse, fin rot and other vile-sounding ailments. www.fishdoc.co.uk will diagnose those odd diseases. www.fishkeeping.co.uk is a lovely site with fact sheets and forums for advice.
One For The Rodents
Rodents are small, cheap and cheerful, but can produce some nasty smells that linger longer than you’d like. You’ll need the right sort of food and housing, and any special requirements they might need. Don’t know a gerbil from a guinea pig? We reveal the reality behind rodents…
Gerbils live for two-three years, burrow, and are more fun for children to watch than handle.
Guinea Pigs live for fi ve-seven years, make good companions, but must be bought in pairs.
Hamsters live for two-three years, are nocturnal, have poor eyesight and are easily startled so may bite.
Mice live for one-three years, are small, quick and easily lost, and the males give off a strong, musk smell. Rats live for two-four years, make good companions, but get lonely and need daily contact.
Rabbits live for six-eight years, are sensitive, easily frightened and quick to scratch if they feel insecure, but can also be cuddly. They should be bought in pairs.
www.petalia.com.au is a brilliant easy-to-use site packed full of info.
Pet-Shop Shy
Keeping a pet is not as easy as buying one. Here are some hands-off alternatives.
Adopt from afar: Visit the West Midlands Safari Park website at www.wmsp.co.uk and click on adopt-a-buddy. Your money will help feed and house your lion/tiger/zebra, and your kid will have
a very cool pet to brag about at school. Alternatively look up www.donation4charity.org/
wwfadoptions.php
Virtual Petting (no, not that sort): Visit www.adoptme.com to choose a pet, register it, name it, take it for walks in the pixel park and meet other pet owners. Also try VirtualKitty.com and VirtualDoggy.com for more cyber pet fun.
In Sickness And In Health
Nadine Lock, veterinary surgeon with the Blue Cross animal-welfare charity, says when it comes to pets, any health risks are far outweighed by the benefi ts, “and as long as basic hygiene rules are followed, the risks will be minimal.” Owning a pet can reduce your blood pressure and heart rate, and children brought up with pets have a lower incidence of allergy-related asthma, and take less time off school.
To The Rescue!
Abandoned animals always need loving homes, but not all rescued dogs are waiting to lick you with promises of being the perfect pet. Site manager for Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter, Ben Sargent, gives his top tips. Choosing the rescue: Make sure it has a good reputation, clean kennels and background information on the animals. And always ask questions, and a good rescue should be more than willing to help. Avoid one that tries to pressure you in any way. Choosing the dog: is the dog good with other dogs, is it sgood with children? Does it have a history of behaviour problems? Also check if the dog has been vaccinated, neutered, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms. Contact Worcestershire Animal Rescue Service on 01905 831651;
www.wars.org.uk; or fi nd a rescue at www.animalrescuers.co.uk
What No Whiskers?
From the Turkestan Cockroach to the Curly Haired Tarantula – there are those who swear by the friendliness and comfort of keeping exotica such as reptiles, arachnids and amphibians (my son has a fascination with the axolotl… Ed.). They all need special habitats, particular temperatures and unusual food, like the occasional mouse or odd live locust. And they all need to be handled responsibly. For more information on the less-common creature comforts we suggest you visit Worcester Reptiles, 47 Lowesmoor, 01905731301 for advice (like taking the kids to the zoo) or check out:
www.exotic-pets.co.uk
