Getting A Pet In Lockdown
July 1, 2020
Some good news to appear throughout the coronavirus pandemic is that pet adoptions are on the increase and more cats and dogs are being adopted. The ASPCA reports an increase of 70% in adoptions in the areas of NYC and LA.
With more people now working from home and kids being home-schooled, it’s the perfect time to get a new pet. Not only are we spending more time at home, our schedules have lightened up so we can dedicate more hours to training a new puppy or kitten.
Another reason is that pets make excellent companions, especially if you live on your own. Being in lockdown hasn’t been easy for anyone, but having a pet to love and snuggle can help ease stress and anxiety.
Even though none of us really know how long this pandemic will last, It’s important to think about the long-term commitment of getting a pet. What will happen when everybody returns to work and school, presumably in the fall? It’s also a good idea to calculate the expense of owning a pet. Feeding, grooming, and healthcare, i.e. vet bills, can all add up. So make sure you have enough each month to take proper care of your new family addition.
If money is an issue or if you feel a dog or a cat is too much to handle, consider a smaller pet like a hamster.
Hamsters
Not as demanding as a dog or cat, but still in need of daily care and affection, hamsters are sweet, affectionate creatures that can bring much joy to a household.
Hamsters are sensitive and fragile though, so they may not be the right sort of pet if you have very young children. Hamsters also frighten easily and would suit a quieter child.
They need a large cage to accommodate lots of toys and an exercise wheel. Hamsters love to exercise, so you can have lots of fun building a playpen for them. Choose plastic (toxic-free) toys and exercise wheels.
You can choose from Syrian, Dwarf, or Chinese hamsters. They like to eat pellets and seeds, together with a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables, particularly dark, leafy greens.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are cute, social creatures that make the most adorable squeaky noises. They make great pets for the right person but are not necessarily ideal for children.
Guinea pigs fare much better in pairs, so bear that in mind if you’re considering getting one as a pet. This will also mean extra veterinary bills in getting the pair neutered.
A little extra time is needed to care for a Guinea pig as they need regular grooming, which includes teeth cleaning and nail clipping. They have enormous appetites and eat practically all day long, which means their cages will have to be cleaned out on a daily basis. A Guinea pig can live anywhere from four to eight years.
They also like a lot of exercise and need to get out of their cage every day to race around and expel all that energy, squeaking all the way!
Rabbits
Very few people can resist a baby rabbit. They have to be one of the most adorable creatures, with their inquisitive noses and fluffy fur. But they can grow quite large and require an adequate amount of space to stay healthy.
A rabbit can live anywhere from eight to 14 years and depending on the breed, and can grow up to 14 pounds in weight. They love exercise and a varied diet of alfalfa and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Rabbits are ground animals, which means they don’t like to be picked up. They do however, love to snuggle with their people. They need careful handling and are sensitive to loud noises, so might not be ideal for very young children.
The best place to get a hamster, rabbit or Guinea pig is your local animal shelter. Not many people know that you can adopt small pets from shelters, as well as cats and dogs.