Carolina Pets Blog: FINDING THE PERFECT PET

Blog post by Kayla Smith

Carolina Pets Animal Hospital

We’ve all gone through the process of finding the “perfect” pet. There are so many different options out there whether you look for a pet through a rescue organization, adoption agency, private organization, or breeder. The BIG question: is this pet the best fit for me? Here are some questions to take into consideration when you are looking for your next family member and to ensure you find the perfect pet:

How active is your family?

This big question often gets overlooked. A family with several active runners would not particularly be interested in a Basset Hound who enjoys spending most of the day relaxing and sleeping. The same goes for the family who are not highly active and enjoy hanging out indoors. A high energy breed such as Vizsla or Weimaraner would not be a good choice if you do not have plans to "debounce" the dog daily.

Are you prepared for veterinary costs that can come associated with specific breeds?

Each breed has certain medical issues common in the lines, and sometimes those can become very costly, very quickly. For example, French bulldogs and English bulldogs commonly have life-long allergic skin disease issues.

ASK US! We’re happy to let you know what medical issues may be associated with the breed you are interested in adopting. You may need to consider pet insurance.

Is your family prepared for training, grooming, and socializing a new pet?

If your family is dead-set on acquiring a puppy, then home socializing and training are critical to help your new pet become well-rounded and a well-behaved pup. This requires months of commitment.

Don’t forget most rescue organizations have adult dogs who maybe house trained, have basic obedience and will not require as much time training. Ask your local animal shelter what they believe will be a great match for your family.

Do your research and ask your veterinarian first!

Not all animals will fit into a breed standard. That means, meet your pet before committing to adoption.

We want you to have a long, happy and rewarding life together.