A Christmas Pet Isn’t Just Another Stocking Stuffer

Putting a cuddly puppy or kitten in Santa’s pack is akin to bringing a new baby home.

While exciting, the young animals present surprises, not all the most comfortable. Pups and kittens, just as babies, throw up without notice. And pups, much like babies, have a proclivity for yelping just as you’re getting back to sleep for the third time in a night.

The comparison between human babies and baby canines and felines was brought up by Dr. Charles R. Banta, director of the Alpo Pet Center, Allentown, Pa., and expert on pets--from professional and personal experience, being the owner of two female golden Labradors, one fancy cat and a parrot.

“The holidays are the most confusing time of the year,” the veterinarian said.

“It’s not a good time to break in a new pet. Besides, I don’t like to give people, especially a child, the idea that a pet is like a Christmas toy. Something to be unwrapped, played with and eventually discarded.

“A pet is a real responsibility.”

Trappings Suggested

For pet’s sake and your family’s, Banta said, it’s better to arrange the announcing of a “pet to come” as a holiday surprise than spring the pet itself out of Santa’s pack.

He suggested making a gift certificate or getting one from an animal shelter or breeder, depending on the source of the pet you’d like as an addition to the family.

And to avoid the appearance of just handing out a piece of paper, Banta suggested giving some animal trappings with the certificate such as a dog bed, a book on training dogs, a leash and collar; some catnip, a book on cats, spongy little balls, a ribbon with a bell on it for a cat.

When the new pet comes into the family, Banta said, it is vital to remember how much a new dog or cat can be like a child.

“They’ll nose all around the house, getting into all the places they’re not supposed to be able to get into,” he said, suggesting the house be pet-proofed in a manner similar to child-proofing, eliminating the possible traps where injury might occur.

“For example,” he said, “if you have lamp cords behind the couch, block the area off or rearrange the cords so the dog or cat can’t get to them. Chewing on the wires can be fatal for an animal just as to a child.”

If there’s already a dog or cat in the home, Banta advised caution when loading up on holiday meals and other treats.

The temptation, he said, is to share with the dog or cat. They can stand just so much. They’ll get digestive upsets just as easily as a child or adult when overfed or ingesting an odd mixture of edibles.

Here are tips from the Pets Are Wonderful Council, PAW, in Chicago to help in the pet selection process. The council is a national, not-for-profit, public service organization supported by the pet food industry.

--Examine your family’s life style, needs and expectations. Do you live in a house with a backyard? Do you have small children or many children? Do both parents work or is your family “on the go” a lot? Do you live in the city or country? Do you have time to train a pet? These types of questions will help you decide whether you should choose a cat or dog that is young or old, small or large, long or short-haired or active or more quiet-natured.

--Consider where you should acquire a pet. PAW recommends adopting your new, four-legged friend from your local animal shelter, humane society or reputable breeder. They offer a wide selection of dogs and cats and and instruction on proper pet care, animal behavior and personality.

--Be sure the entire family has a voice in the selection process. Children can have fun at the local library researching the different breeds, while parents check with local veterinarians and pet experts about the best sources and kinds of pets.

--Think about adopting two pets. They can keep each other company while the family is away. Two pets are as easy to care for as one, and twice the fun.

--Be sure to assign an adult the ultimate responsibility for the welfare of the pet. Children should take care of smaller tasks in caring for and feeding the pet. Don’t assume that children instinctively know how to handle a pet. All activities with a new pet should be closely supervised by parents.