Owning a dog involves expenses that cannot be ignored: purchase or adoption expenses, equipment and grooming, and veterinary fees. The cost of a three month old pure bred puppy, for instance, does not depend on its size but on its breed. Your initial outlay can be quite large; it depends on the place of sale and the quality of the dog.
As for equipment, (collar, leash, and so forth) prices vary with the size of the dog, the sophistication of the equipment, and the materials used. Differences between minimum and maximum costs can be considerable. Nonetheless once bought, many of these items will last the dog's lifetime.
Apart from the collar and leash, other essentials include: case for carrying small breeds on public transportation; indoor bed or basket; food and water dishes; grooming equipment (single comb and rubber gloves for short haired dogs, brush and durable comb for long ? haired dogs). Certain breeds require special grooming and should be professionally groomed at least four times a year.
In addition to the above, there are daily food costs which naturally, rise in proportion to the size of the dog. Veterinary expenses are difficult to anticipate since they depend on the animal's basic health. However, there are some that are definite. For instance, a puppy should be examined by a specialist once a month for the first six months.
Most small dogs or toy breeds require dental attention twice a year. Then there are the optional operations of neutering or spaying. Cosmetic surgery, which is essential for certain breeds of show dogs, may include ear ? cropping or tail docking, and sometimes both, in certain countries. Buying or adopting a dog is a serious step and you should never act on impulse or be swayed by pity. Before acquiring a dog, always make sure you obtain every available guarantee in writing.
Get a young bird. It is best to get a very young bird. Training will be easier on both of you. I really believe it is better to purchase your bird from a breeder. There are good and bad breeders, so you need to do some research. Ask local vets if they know any reputable breeders. Visit them and see how well they care for the birds. If the place the birds are raised is an unhealthy mess, that's a good clue to walk away.
Let the bird pick you! No joke! If you pick out a bird that you like, it doesn't mean it will like you. There is nothing worse then getting a bird that dislikes you. Birds have personalities! They pick out people they like and they may be aggressive or shy away from someone they don't like.
Always have your bird vet-checked at least once a year. It's amazing how folks have their car checked out regularly, but totally ignore their bird! Since birds are very good at hiding when they are sick, you may not notice it until it's too late. Learn how to identify the signs that they are not feeling well.
Be sure you get the proper size cage. It should be large enough for your bird to get some exercise their wings. It must have enough perch space. Watch the bar spacing and door openings. Birds will get their heads caught between the bars if too wide.
Birds love to play with toys! Load up on lots of them. Stay away from rope and cloths toys that will easily become frayed and get tangled around feet and toes.
Large birds like to chew. Unless you want to replace wooden perches every other week, get some wooden blocks. Hang them on chains and the birds will love them! If your birds are allowed out of the cage, they must be closely supervised. Wooden windowsills, furniture, and cabinets are their favorite treats!
Keep your bird's wings clipped. If you are going to have it for a pet you don't want him finding out what a ceiling fan feels like. It's not uncommon for a bird to get out of its cage and fly out an open door or window. If a bird gets loose out side you may never get it back. Other dangers are flying into windows or into the kitchen where you are cooking on hot stoves. There are pros and cons about wing clipping, so think about this aspect carefully.
Pay attention to your bird's eating habits and behavior. Watch for changes. When a bird gets sick, they have a tendency to hide their illnesses. But the time the bird shows that it is sick, it may be too late to get it medical help.
It is important that you carry info on you that would tell an emergency official that you have a bird or birds at home that needs some one to check on them. It would be terrible to be in a bad accident and no one knows you have pets at home depending on you.
You should always have arrangements made for someone to take are care for your bird should you die. It isn't a pleasant thought but remember that bigger birds have a long life span, and you want to make sure that you do have someone who will.
Both Randy Jones & Danny Learton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Randy Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Dogs and Pets. Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest