Can you afford a pet?
There are basic expenses that go along with pet ownership that should be considered. Grooming, pet food, and general pet care supplies, as well as annual inoculations and license fees can add up. If you travel, there will also be boarding costs or transportation fees if your pet travels with you. It would be unfair not to be realistic when budgeting for you new pet, to ensure you are able to sufficiently and comfortably provide for it.

Are you permitted to and do you have room for a new pet?
Many senior citizens are apartment dwellers and must seek the landlord's or management's permission to house a pet. At times, additional security deposits must be paid for pet ownership to be approved.

All pets, no matter how small, need a place to sleep and room to roam around the house. Inside cats need to have an area for their litter box, while dogs need a fenced yard in which they can safely play.

Do you have time for a pet?
As with people, pets need daily love and attention. It can be time consuming to devote this daily attention to keeping an animal clean, well fed, healthy, and providing it with daily exercise. Are you ready for this sort of commitment?

Do you have the necessary patience?
No matter how well trained and behaved a pet is, there will be times when accidents occur. Remember that no one is perfect! When a pet is brought into a new home it needs time to adjust; it can take up to several months for it to become totally comfortable in its new environment. When animals are ill, just like humans, they need an extra dose of tender loving care. Can you be patient, forgiving, and loving?

Once you've decided on bringing a pet into your home, you must decide on whether it will be a dog or a cat. Both animals have special qualities to offer their owners.

Dogs
Regardless of size, dogs need daily exercise and usually have a hearty appetite. Fenced areas make ideal places for dogs to move about freely. Walking a dog can be beneficial to both the dog and its owner. Larger dogs usually need more exercise than smaller breeds. Dogs love to play games such as retrieving a ball or stick, and many enjoy swimming. Dogs are wonderful pets for those seeking an active companion. They are devoted and responsive to their owner and can be trained to respond to simple commands. They love to be with their owners as much as possible, not left outdoors or in a basement.

Grooming is relatively simple for dogs. Daily brushing will keep the dog's coat glossy and reduce its hair from shedding. Bathing a dog is normally minimal unless it is outside often and has a tendency to swim or play in areas where it will get dirty. Their nails need to be clipped regularly, especially if it is an indoor dog with less opportunity for nails to wear down naturally. A veterinarian can trim the nails for you or train you to do so.

Size is a major consideration when choosing a dog. Medium and larger breeds usually require more food and exercise. They like to interact with their owners, seeking a partner for the games they play. A larger dog needs more room than a smaller dog, which is more suitable for an apartment dweller. Smaller dogs are more likely to be lap dogs, ready to curl up on the sofa and watch television with their owner.

Age is another factor to consider in choosing a cog. Puppies are wonderful and offer the advantage of growing up with their owner. This can be both rewarding and entertaining; however, it is also time consuming and frustrating at times to properly train a puppy. The puppy is normally not considered an adult until it has reached its first year.

Adult pets, one year of age and older offer other advantages. Usually by this point, their personalities and behavioral traits are developed and well-defined. They are usually calmer, housebroken, and trained as opposed to puppies. There are less surprises in store with an adult dog.

Cats
Cats are quiet, gentle companions that normally entertain themselves. They can get the exercise they need in a small area and are easily litter-box trained. Therefore, they do not require as much day-to-day care as a dog. Cats readily adapt to their owner's schedules and make ideal pets for the apartment dweller and those without yards.

Grooming is minimal for cats. Daily brushing will keep the coat shiny, assist you in detecting fleas, and aid in the prevention of hair balls. Most cats enjoy being brushed. It is almost never necessary to bathe a cat since they are meticulously clean and devote many hours to grooming themselves. As with dogs, cats need to have their nails trimmed if they are not declawed. A veterinarian can do this or teach you how to do so.

Size is not as large a factor when choosing a cat as it is with dogs. The major decision in choosing a cat is whether it will be short or long haired. This is really a matter of personal preference.

Age is somewhat less important in cats than dogs, as most kittens instinctively use a litter box and require little or no training. The advantage of choosing an adult cat, one year or older, is that its personality is normally developed. At times, the affectionate kitten may develop into an aloof cat.

Finalizing your choice of a dog or cat is a very big decision, as your pet will be a part of your family for many years to come.