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Health Female Adda
1 year ago
Buying a Dog, Or Other Furry Friend
Adopt a dog or cat and you'll have a companion who won't blow you off for a game of Grand Theft Auto. You'll also be a lot healthier. Research shows that pet owners have lower cholesterol and blood pressure, less stress and anxiety, and fewer doctor visits. According to experts, pets provide nonjudgmental support that helps their owners cope with illness-causing stress. What's more, a recent study at the University of Missouri at Columbia found that a canine workout partner can help you lose weight better than a fellow human. Study participants felt the dogs depended on them to provide their daily exercise — you can't flake on your Lab like you can your best friend. Some things to keep in mind:

Compatibility is key. Six to eight million dogs and cats are returned to shelters annually, mainly for behavioral problems. Be willing to work with your pet before throwing in the collar. "You don't bring a baby home and after a few days say this isn't working out," says Nancy Peterson, issues specialist for the Humane Society of the United States. Adequate attention will keep a pet from turning your leather couch into a chew toy. Dogs may act out if left alone for more than 8 hours and will beg for 2 hours of attention daily. Cats need playtime too; plan to allot 90 minutes a day for their care.

Organic catnip ain't cheap. Expect to drop about $600 annually on a cat or dog — for food, litter, a license, a routine medical exam and vaccinations, and toys and treats. Extras include a dog walker, a kennel, and insurance. Pet insurance, accepted by all licensed veterinarians, runs about $25 a month but varies based on the type of pet, its age, and the state you live in. "It can provide peace of mind," says Brian Iannessa, spokesperson for Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation's oldest and largest pet insurance provider. "If there is an accident, you can make a decision with your heart, not your pocketbook."

Know where to go. There are three places to get a pet: a shelter, a breeder, or a store. Shelters are the least expensive option, where cats typically cost $75 to $125 and dogs $75 to $200. And the employees can dish about the animals' quirks because they interact with them regularly and know why they were given away in the first place. Breeders are pricier ($600+ for a dog, about $500 for a cat), but getting a purebred gives you a good idea of adult size and temperament. Find a breeder at American Kennel Club or Cat Channel. Pass on pet stores — the high schooler who stocks the shelves probably can't even spell "shih tzu." The prices are high because profit is primary. And the animals tend to be less healthy because pet stores rarely run the tests that shelters and breeders use to check for disease.
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