Pet Peeves

I’m someone who lives alone with two dogs and I’d be lying if I said I don’t resent the heck out of them sometimes. I often joke with friends, that, through circumstances not of my choosing, I’ve become a housewife, with all of the responsibilities and none of the benefits. I have to cook and clean up after a pair of delinquents, I have to worry about their physical and mental wellbeing, I can’t come and go as I please because I’m constantly fretting that they’re being neglected, and, as icing on top of the cake, I spend more money on them than I do on myself! Also, in true overworked housemum fashion, the minute my parents or siblings visit, I immediately dump all dog-caring responsibilities on them and run away to spend time with friends.

But my lot is not an uncommon one. More and more young adults, professionals who live in apartments, either alone or with spouses/roommates who also work, are electing to share their lives with pets. Avid animal lover that I am, you’d think this trend would warm my cynical old heart; but the truth is I’m filled with reservations. People often don’t take into account all the aspects that go into caring for another living being. So, if you belong to the above category and you’re thinking of getting a pet, here are some things you should consider.

Why do you want a pet?

A pet is a responsibility that can last 15 years or more; so it’s worth asking yourself why you really want a pet. Is it because you’re lonely and think a pet can fill that void? Is it because a puppy will make you popular with girls? Whatever the reason, remember that an animal is an individual with needs, feelings and emotions. Cliché as it sounds, having a dog is like having a child: there are some aspects of him that you can mould to suit you, but there are others that you simply have to accept as personality traits and cannot change. He might be more affectionate than you like, or less; more independent or less.

A high energy dog will always be a high energy dog. Are you willing to devote one hour, every day, for the next 15 years, to finding ways to exhaust his excessive mental and physical vigour?   

Do you have the time for a pet?

Dogs, cats and other companion animals cannot be ignored just because you are too tired or too busy. They require food, water, exercise, care and companionship, every day of every year. You might want to consider this if you’re working eighteen hour days, travel a lot, or go home only to sleep. Also take into account how the pet will be cared for while you are away on vacation or business. You will need reliable friends, relatives or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet sitter.

Can you afford a pet?

In these days of double figure inflation, the additional financial burden of caring for a pet can’t be taken lightly. Food, vaccines, vet bills, grooming tools, collars, leashes and toys are just the start. Also consider training, kennel fees, treats, etc.
Are you willing to risk

Complete house ruin?

Accidents in the house, soiled or torn furniture and unexpected medical emergencies are common aspects of pet ownership, especially when the pet is still young. I’ve had puppies that have torn up the lawn, pooped on my bed and shredded a bouquet of flowers that were bought for a funeral service. They all grew up to be wonderful, caring dogs; but while they were puppies they were absolute terrors. Be sure that you can handle that.

Remember that you’re not doing the animal a favour.

Adopting an animal, especially an Indian breed dog, gives people a sense of self-righteousness which overrides any guilt they might feel about mistreating or neglecting their pet. Harsh as it sounds, the fact that you “rescued” the animal from a life on the road or at a shelter does not entitle you to treat it any differently than you would a pure-bred puppy for whom you might have paid a large sum.

On the other hand…

Having said all of this, in my experience, sharing your life with animals is one of the most rewarding and stress-relieving things that you can possibly do. And their companionship is worth so much more when you’re all by yourself. The fact that there are so many animals out there in need of a good home cannot be discounted either. So here are some tips for those of you who live alone, don’t have a support system, and still want pets.

Have two, instead of one

I know this sounds like madness,considering that looking after even a single animal is such a lot of work, but in actual fact — caring for two is not that much more work than caring for one. Two pets in the same household will take care of each other and have each other for company when you have to leave them and go to work. Having the other to expend their energy on also means they’re less likely to take their frustration out on your rugs and furnishings. They don’t even need to be of the same species. Dogs and cats have been known to be fast friends, as have a variety of different animals.

Think out-of-the -box and into the cage

The truth about dogs and cats is that they don’t need to be dogs and cats. If you live in an apartment, there are a lot of different, lower-maintenance animal species that are now available as pets. If you want a pet to cuddle with, but can’t deal with the daily responsibility of walking a dog: a rabbit, hamster or a guinea pig is the ideal choice. They enjoy interacting with humans and like hanging out in laps and on shoulders. Some of the more exotic pet shops in the city now breed ferrets, but be warned that they are prohibitively expensive.

Cold-blooded companions often make great exotic pets for apartment living. Lizards, turtles, and frogs typically live in glass aquariums, and many of them can be safely handled by humans. Snakes are a bold choice, but be careful: snakes are escape artists, and a snake on the loose won’t make your roommate or the neighbours happy. Also keep in mind that many of these creepy-crawlers eat live food, so consider what you can stomach before you make your decision.

Birds also make for great low-maintenance pets. If you live in an apartment, then choose species that are known to be quieter. Parakeets or budgies are a good choice; if you have the space for a larger cage, cockatiels are pretty and social. If you want something more exotic, multi-coloured finches and parrotlets are also now readily available in pet stores.

Do your research

Be prepared before you bring your pet into your home. If you want a dog, make sure you research all the traits, characteristics and requirements of a breed, before you decide that it’s the one for you. If you’re looking at an exotic pet, research food, environment, and any special needs that the species might have.

In conclusion

There are no hard and fast rules as far as owning pets is concerned. I know a highly energetic boxer who is perfectly happy in a very small apartment, because his owner is a health freak who takes him with her for a jog, twice a day. All animals need is someone who loves them enough to do right by them. Everything else follows from that.

And, as maddening as they sometimes are, I wouldn’t trade my two rascals for all the gold in the world.

Setting up a new tank

Fish in an aquarium are a great way to start for first-time pet owners. Here are some tips

*Never set up the tank and buy the fish on the same day.  The tank needs time to cycle, which basically means that the chemicals need to balance out and the bacteria need flourish before you can introduce fish into the tank. Allow a week before adding fish and never add more than a few at a time.

*Don’t stint on filters and equipment. Cheaper pumps will end up costing you a lot more in the long run because they will most likely stop working in a month and leak all over the floor.

Tank maintenance

*Clean your fish tank at least once a month. ‘Cleaning’ entails removing 25 per cent of the water and replacing it with fresh water, cleaning the tubing and filter, and adding salt and chemicals as necessary.

*Never use any type of chemicals in a fish tank that are not made for aquarium keeping and DON’T EVER use any type of soap to clean your fish equipment.

*When adding water back into the tank after a cleaning, add colder water but not ice cold.

*Maintain your fish tank at a temperature of between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

*Many fish owners swear by aquarium salt. It helps maintain a healthy tank. You can find aquarium salt in fish stores. Make sure you dilute it with water before adding it into the tank.