SMALL ANIMALS AS PETS
Objectives
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List the questions a person should ask before buying a pet.
Compare the different options available for obtaining a
pet.
Describe what is meant by responsible pet ownership.
List the important lessons children can learn from their pets.
Describe the benefits pets can have for the elderly.
Define euthanasia.
Describe the importance of euthanasia to a pet owner.
Terms to Know
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Allergies
Conformation
Entropion
Euthanasia
Neutered
No-kill shelters
Pedigree
Pocket Pets
Spayed
Choosing a pet
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Before World War II, many pets were hunting, farm
or show animals.
Space and poverty limited animal ownership on
cities.
After WWII more people were moving from the
farms to the cities and people enjoyed increased
incomes and prosperity.
Due to the change in demographics people started
keeping pets for companionship.
Choosing a pet
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Pets offer nonjudgmental acceptance, love and
companionship, no matter the age of the person.
Unfortunately, many pets are abandoned each
year due to being an improper fit with the family
lifestyle.
Many pets loose their cuteness as the get older, cost
too much to feed, or put too much time demand on
the family.
Choosing a pet
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Millions of unwanted animals pass through the
shelters annually as a result of uncontrolled
breeding and abandonment.
Many of these animals are put to sleep through
euthanasia.
Euthanasia numbers have gone down from 17
million animals euthanized in the 1980’s to fewer
than 5 million today.
Choosing a pet
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The number of no-kill shelters has grown from
about 50 in 1980’s to about 250 today.
This is still a small fraction of the country’s nearly
5,000 shelters, foster care groups, and placement
agencies.
The most widely accepted definition of a no-kill
shelter is a place where all adoptable and
treatable animals are saved and where only
unadoptable and non-rehabilitative animals are
euthanized.
Choosing a pet
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Where should I obtain a pet?
How much space do I have for a pet?
What kind of animal does my lifestyle allow?
How much will the animal cost?
What will the future bring?
Does everyone in the family want a pet?
What kind of personality do I have?
Is this animal a fad or a status symbol?
What am I going to use the animal for?
Where should I obtain a pet?
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Most obvious answer
 Pet
shop – intermediaries between breeder and
consumer to make a profit.
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Other options
 Breeders
– success depends on reputation
 Animal Shelters – cost is less than pet shop, animal is
required to be spayed or neutered, background
information may not be available.
 Friends/Neighbors – easiest and cheapest way to get a
pet
How much space do I have for a pet?
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A person needs to be familiar with the activity
requirements of an animal before acquiring it.
A
small one room apartment may not be suitable for
many active pets.
 Large rural acreage may provide too much space for
the animal to roam.
What kind of animal does my lifestyle allow?
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Animals require different amounts of space, time,
and care.
 Some
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dogs need daily exercise and/or grooming.
It is important to be familiar with the breeds you
plan to obtain and be sure that breed will fit into
your lifestyle.
Cat breeds are fairly uniform on their needs for
exercise, attention and other daily care.
 Some
require more grooming time.
What kind of animal does my lifestyle allow?
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If a dog or cat does not fit into your lifestyle, then a
hamster, gerbil, or other small animal may make a
more desirable pet.
These pets for the most part if left with food and
water they can be left alone for several days and
they fit well into small apartments.
How much does an animal cost?
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Cost is NOT just the initial purchase!
Adult cat food can easily cost around $14 a month.
Adult dog food can cost between $13 and $30 a
month.
In addition to feeding there are other expenses:
Grooming
 Toys
 Veterinary bills
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Many cities and counties also have taxes on animals.
How much does an animal cost?
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Because of high vet bills many people are opting for pet
insurance.
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Plans can range from $4 - $50 a month depending on plan,
deductible, and age of pet.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) lists the annual cost of caring for a dog to
be between $420 -$780 depending on the size of the dog.
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Cats $575
Rabbits $691
Guinea pig $565
Small Mammal $305
Fish $35
How much does an animal cost?
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Initial cost may include vaccines, spaying/neutering.
Yearly costs include:
 Food
 Medical
treatment
 Litter
 Toys
 Treats
 License
 Miscellaneous
expenses
What will the future bring?
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See table 3-1 Annual Costs of Caring for Various
Species of Pets page 37.
Will you still want the pet in a few years when it
matures?
If the pet is bought for children will mom or dad be
around to help care for it?
Can the child take the animal to college when the
time comes?
Does Everyone in the Family Want a Pet?
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A pet should not be brought into the family unless
everyone agrees to it and will take responsibility
for it.
If the animal is unwanted it will possibly become
uncared for.
Also, one needs to consider allergies.
Allergies to animals are common, so it is important
to know if someone in the family is allergic prior to
bringing in a new pet.
What Kind of Personality Do I Have?
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Animals, like people have personalities.
One must decide on a pet that complements their
personality.
Know the personality traits of the species or breed before
getting it.
 Individuals have their own personality that may vary slightly
from the breed personality.
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Pocket Pets are small animals usually kept in aquariums
or cages. They are ideal for those who what greater
control over when and how long to interact with their
pet.
Is This Animal a Fad or Status Symbol?
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Many times animals or special breed become fads or
status symbols.
When the fad fades the animal becomes unwanted or
abandoned.
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Example: Shar-Pei gained popularity in the 1960’s.
The Shar-Pei can be born with entropion which causes
the eyelid to roll inward. The fur and eyelashes rub
against the surface of the eye causing irritation. Watery
eyes, infection, and corneal ulcers can occur. Surgical
correction is requires, animals with this condition should
not be bred because it is believed to be heriditary.
Is This Animal a Fad or Status Symbol?
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Another fad breed is the Dalmatian.
 Gained
popularity in the 1984 after the release of
101 Dalmatians it reached its peak in 1993 after the
re-release of the animated film in 1991.
 The rank of Dalmatians rose from 35th in 1984 to 9th in
1993 since then the number has declined to now 77th.
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The Chihuahua or other miniature sized dogs
peeking out of a designer handbag.
 Made
popular by celebrities and the release of Beverly
Hills Chihuahua.
Is This Animal a Fad or Status Symbol?
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People need to take some time and give serious
thought to the decision to obtain a certain breed of
dog.
People should check out the different breeds,
become familiar with their characteristics and
needs, and ask questions posed in this unit before
obtaining an animal.
What Am I Going to Use the Animal For?
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Especially important with dogs.
Is this dog wanted for a specific sport or hobby such
as hunting or tracking competitions?
Is the dog going to have a specific job like herding
or guarding livestock?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) groups breeds
according to their traditional use.
What Am I Going to Use the Animal For?
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Choosing the right breed is the just the first step.
There is much variation within each breed.
It is important to examine the dog’s pedigree.
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pedigree is the family history of the pup and will
list any titles earned by its ancestors.
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It is also important that the dog has the
conformation for the job.
 Conformation
is how closely the animal resembles the
breed standard.
Children and Pets
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Parents must consider the age and maturity of the
child before getting a pet.
Many professionals feel that children should be at
least three years of age to have the maturity level
to act responsibly around a pet.
Children often quickly loose interest in the pet once
the novelty wears off.
Short lived pets such as hamsters/gerbils are a
good choice for first pets.
Children and Pets
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Children can learn things by caring for a pet
 Responsibility
 Social
Skills
 Respect and Compassion
 Coping with Loss
Responsibility
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Responsibility can be learned from taking care of a
pet.
This develops one’s self-esteem and self-worth.
They learn to be competent individuals.
Social Skills
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All children will experience the feeling of being
unwanted or unloved.
A pet will always accept children and provide them
with a sense of being loved and wanted.
By learning to understand a pet’s body language,
emotions, and needs, children develop a stronger
sense of responsibility and personal worth.
Children can develop skills that are important for
when they become adults.
Respect and Compassion
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A child will recognize changes in the animal’s behavior,
such as illness, depression, or annoyance at the child.
By recognizing these changes and having consideration
a child can transfer these traits to others.
The child learns to appreciate the effect their actions
have on others.
For older children the responsibility of a pet may be
instrumental in developing self-esteem, self-confidence,
and independence.
Grief and Coping with Loss
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Grief is the normal response to the loss of a pet.
For many children the loss of a pet may be the first
time they experience death.
Feelings and emotions that they experience should
be discussed.
The Grieving Process
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In the grieving process, most people go through five
stages.
Stage 1 – shock, denial, isolation
 Stage 2 – anger
 Stage 3 – helplessness
 Stage 4 – depression, sadness, hopelessness and regret
 Stage 5 – acceptance of the loss
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Everyone deals with loss differently, support from
friends and family is very important during the grieving
process.
Pets and Pet Therapy
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Pets can help people overcome illness and help us
live longer, happier lives by helping to lower our
blood pressure.
Many studies have proven that pets help recover
after serious illness and surgeries.
The elderly benefit the most, at a time in their lives
when they have returned to depending on others,
they need to feel the sense of responsibility.
Pets and Pet Therapy
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Dogs help disabled people perform many tasks
such as
 Opening
and closing doors
 Turning switches on and off
 Pulling wheelchairs
 Carrying packages
 Assisting the blind
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They can also assist in raising self-esteem and wellbeing.
Euthanasia
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Perhaps the kindest thing you can do for your pet
that is severely sick or injured.
The decision to euthanize is a serious one and is
never easy to make.
You should consider what is best for your pet, you,
and your family.
Euthanasia
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Quality of life is important for pets and people alike.
If your pet can no longer get around comfortably
 If your pet isn’t eating or willing to eat
 If you pet is no longer aware of or appreciates your
companionship
 If your pets is apt to bite family members, strangers,
children
 If your pet can not longer respond in normal ways
 If there is more pain than pleasure in its life
 If the care and treatment become too much financially
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Euthanasia
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Euthanasia is accomplished with an injection of a
tranquilizer that stops the nerve transmissions and
causes muscle relaxation.
The euthanasia solution is usually injected into a vein
in the foreleg.
Six to twelve seconds after injection, the animal will
lapse into a deep unconsciousness.
Death will come quickly and painlessly.
Overpopulation
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Each year approximately 27 million dogs and cats are
born in the United States.
50 Million are euthanized each year as unwanted or
abandoned.
To solve the over population problem three events need
to occur:
People must be educated about the problem
 Animal control laws must be passed and existing laws
enforced.
 People must recognize the importance of spaying and
neutering.
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