Having a pet: The pleasures and responsibilities

CEBU, Philippines -  Pet ownership is a rewarding hobby. But for some, more than just a personal hobby, the pleasure of snuggling one's pet dog or kitten has become a family affair. Owners treat their pets more than just animals - as friends, companions, security guards, police crew, all-around-entertainers, carriers and, ultimately, members of the family.

Author AO Cain, in his book "Pets as Family Members," describes pets as the "glue" that holds family members together and increases family cohesion. While pets bring family members closer, their presence also enhances daily family life as they promote greater interaction and communication among members.

In the Philippines, the pet care industry has significantly grown in 2014. According to www.euromonitor.com, pet ownership rates in the country has been continually rising with pets becoming increasingly integrated into the lives of Filipino families.

While most owners are aware of the real joy and fun companionship pets can bring to the family, some are not even aware of the many health benefits, physical and mental, that pet ownership provides to both adults and children.  Experts say that caring for a dog, for example, can help children grow up more secure and active. Pet ownership also works in reducing the risk of heart disease and for greater longevity, according to a study by The American Heart Association.

The website www.kenrodogtraining.com also cites a study on family and social interaction patterns conducted by researcher Karen Allen which reveals that couples with high attachment to dogs have greater wellbeing rate. Also, talking to dogs, in addition to one's spouse, is linked to greater life satisfaction - marital satisfaction, and physical and emotional health because confiding in pets the difficulties in life situations is found to greatly relieve stress.

Adopting a pet, however, is not a one-way, one-time deal. It is a lifelong relationship. Thus, it requires a lot of thinking and pondering, especially when it involves the family. Having a pet entails certain responsibilities on the part of the adapter. In turn, having a pet around brings so much fun and joy.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, an organization which advocates for responsible pet ownership, campaigns for prospective family-adopters to study the matter and choose their pets wisely. Parents shall not be immediately swayed by the request of the kids in buying a new pet. A responsible pet owner understands the need of doing a research first.

The following information from www.petmd.com will help in considering to bring a pet home:

Be ready for commitment. Prepare the family for the commitment required by the chosen pet. Will one have the time to walk the dog three times a day? Will one remember to exercise the cat every night? If no one in the family can perform these essential tasks, then stop right here and consider a fish or a parakeet as a low-demand animal companion.

Consider family's lifestyle. Choosing a pet based on how popular or cute it is, is probably one of the worst decisions people make. One shall be familiar with the breed he is interested in and be open-minded to let it go if it doesn't fit the family's ability to provide for its temperament. A good example is the Chihuahua. While the dog can be adorable, can live in any size home,  and only needs very low maintenance, it is not very tolerant of children - they bite children without much provocation. As to pet cats, while some require a lot of attention, others are mostly independent.

Ask questions beforehand. Before settling on the type of pet, ask friends or, better yet, a veterinarian for recommendations. A veterinarian can be an excellent source of information in choosing the best pet that will suit the family's means and needs.

Make home pet-friendly. It is highly important to go through the house, before bringing a new pet home, to search out hazards and get them out of the way or out of the house. This includes cabinets at pet level, counter tops, bottles of chemical on the floor, small toys, electric cords and curtain cords. Also check the yards for toxic plants and one's purse or bag for any potential dangers like sugar-free gum, which often contains xylitol.

Prepare for an adjustment period. If the family is adopting a puppy, be prepared for the crying. Puppies cry during the night in their first days in their new home, just like human babies. Before bringing the puppy home, set up a quiet, enclosed space with a comfortable bed, or a kennel that can be closed, keeping the puppy secure from wandering. For cats, their sleeping area must be placed in a secure space close to its litter box so that the cat doesn't get lost looking for it and then leave him to romp around in his area until he drops off to sleep. Things get a little bit trickier when bringing a new pet into a home with pets. The owner has to make sure that the resident pets does not feel threatened by the newcomer.

Train pets. Let the happy home remain happy by immediately starting housetraining  after bringing your pet home. If adopting a kitten, introduce him to his litterbox as soon as you get him inside. If it is a puppy, leash him up and take him outside to start getting to know his neighborhood. A very short walk on the first outing is all that is needed. Begin training on that first outing.

Choose appropriate pet treats and toys. The right treats are essential, especially for puppies. Treats are one of the best tools for behavior training when used sensibly. Experiment with a few different dog treats and stick with the one that has the highest value for your puppy. Do always keep a back of treats in one's pocket for training opportunities. On the other hand, toys should be free of buttons, strings, and anything that can be bitten off and swallowed.  Stick with rubber balls made for dogs, nylon-bones, non-toxic stuffed toys, and ask other dog "parents" for advice on toys that hold up under puppy pressure.

Consider neutering. Pet care experts say that the best thing to do for pet's health is to have him or her neutered (spay or castration surgery). While some owners choose not to because of the fear that their male pets will lose its sense of identity  or the female breed will be not be able to give birth, most vets advise neutering as this decreases aggression and it does not make a dog any less protective of his or her human family either. Ask veterinarians for their recommendation.

Gear pets with proper ID. The pet owner shall ensure that his puppy or kitten is properly outfitted with ID so that if they get loose - and it does happen to everyone eventually - they can be returned safely. Place updated contact information on the pet's collar, either on a tag or printed directly onto the collar. Also, keep photos on hand - not only to track the pet's growth, but also when the need to post them around town comes. It can make the difference between your pet being returned to you or staying lost forever.

Indeed, the bond created between the pets and their human companions is one of the strongest. Pets may not speak the language of humans, but has not been barrier for them to easily integrate into the human family system. The joy and delight that pets offer to their human family often go beyond in the care that people give them. (FREEMAN)