Published: December 09, 2006 11:17 pm      

Pets as Presents

Local pet experts advise care in choosing animals as gifts

Who doesn’t like the idea of seeing a cute puppy, kitten or bunny garnished with a festive bow under the tree on Christmas morning?

However, how much fun will that new pet have in the midst of all the fun and excitement?

“Baby animals are as cute as they can be, and it’s wonderful to teach children how to handle them and take care of them, but Christmas morning isn’t the best time to introduce a new pet into the home,” said Jim Kenney, adoption counselor at the Raleigh County Animal Shelter.

“These little babies can get stepped on, handled too much, fed the wrong kinds of foods and generally be put at risk by all the holiday activities,” he added.

For that reason, the shelter offers adoption certificates that can be wrapped and given as gifts. They will continue to care for the animals until the day after Christmas, when families can come in and pick them up and take them home.

“It’s really a good thing because it gives the children something to look forward to,” Kenney said. “Kids have so many new things on Christmas morning that the excitement about the new pet gets lost in the shuffle. They can play with all their new toys and games on Christmas Day, then come in a day later and get the pet at a time they can take it home and give it more attention.”

Pet adoption certificates can be purchased for $27 until Dec. 19, except for dogs and cats 6 months old or older.

“These older animals can be adopted for Christmas,” Kenney said. “We just don’t want little puppies and kittens to be placed in a hectic situation where they could be hurt or even killed.”

The fee includes the initial shots and de-worming. Local veterinarians will provide a discount up to 40 percent on spaying and neutering on these adopted pets.

Kenney offered a special holiday warning for all pet owners. “Keep all pets away from wrapping paper, ribbons and Christmas ornaments,” he said.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, many animals die or are seriously injured during the holidays.

“Dogs will chew into glass ornaments. Cats can swallow ribbons and small Christmas decorations and wind up needing surgery,” Kenney said. “You need to supervise a pet’s activities in much the same way you would do for a small child. They don’t know what’s dangerous for them. They see bright colorful things and want to play with them. You have to be there to make sure they stay safe.”

Never give animals chocolate and avoid the temptation to give them holiday food intended only for people.

“Chocolate can and will kill your pet,” Kenney said. “Rich foods can make your animal sick. Just stick with their regular diet and treats that are made specifically for them.”

n n n

For those who can’t resist choosing a pet as a Christmas gift, there are some good guidelines for making sure the animal enjoys the holidays as well.

Jennifer Kiblinger, one of the owners of The Pampered Pet, said great care should be taken in choosing the right pet.

“You need to consider the ages of your children and whether or not they are old enough to handle a new pet, especially a baby animal,” said Vickie Miller, a board member of the Raleigh County Humane Society. “If the pet is for an older person, you need to be sure it’s a pet they can manage. A weimaraner dog, for example, requires two hours of exercise a day. An older person might not be able to take on that kind of responsibility.”

Susan Kiblinger, also an owner, learned from experience to do some extra checking when giving a pet as a gift.

“I got a dog for a couple I know who wanted one. However, the woman turned out to be severely allergic to it. Fortunately, I was able to keep it, but you need to be mindful of any health considerations people have that might make it inadvisable for them to be around feathers, fur or animal dander.”

n n n

Do your research and purchase all the pet supplies you will need to provide a comfortable home for the new animal, Kiblinger said.

Bunnies, for example, will need a cage, bedding, food and water containers, chew sticks, Timothy hay, a salt wheel and bunny food.

Provide a puppy’s recipients with a supply of training pads, puppy food, a dog crate, some chew toys and food and water bowls.

“You don’t want to just give someone a pet and expect them to go out and buy all the accessories it will need,” Kiblinger said.

Exotic birds need a cage, perches, food and water bowls, toys and special nutrients such as calcium.

“African grey parrots and most birds need lots of attention and toys. Greys have the intelligence of a 5-year-old child. Imagine locking a 5-year-old in a cage, giving it no toys and never paying attention to it,” Kiblinger said.

Birds without enough socialization and stimulation may develop habits such as pulling out their feathers.

“It’s really cruel to get a pet and then not give it the attention it needs,” Kiblinger said. “You need to be willing to make a commitment to a pet and provide more than its basic survival needs.”

Certain breeds of dogs, such as poodles, will need to be groomed regularly — not for their looks, but for their health.

“Dogs with thick fur have to be groomed regularly or else the fur will mat close to their skin,” Kiblinger said. “Moisture from the dog’s body collects under that matted hair. Lice and even maggots can hatch under that hair and cause serious problems for the dog.”

You will need to purchase either the necessary grooming supplies or be aware that the recipient will wind up paying $45 to $65 every few months to have the dog professionally groomed.

“You need to make sure the person receiving the pet can care for it financially,” Kiblinger said. “All animals are likely to need veterinary care of some kind, such as vaccinations or care for special health needs.”

All cats and dogs, for example, will need to be vaccinated for rabies. “We’re seeing a lot of rabies cases in Greenbrier County right now. If people in other counties don’t have their animals vaccinated, we’ll see rabies spreading throughout the whole area.”

Jennifer Kiblinger said it’s important to consider whether the animal or bird might outlive the person who receives it.

“Some birds can live to be 60 to 100 years old. Dogs and cats can live 20 years or longer. You need to think about the long-term care of that animal,” she said.

n n n

Pet-proof your home before you bring the animal in. Bunnies, kittens and puppies love to chew on things. Make sure all electrical cords are out of harm’s way. Sprays are available that make the cords more unappealing.

Introduce the pet to a small area of your home where it can easily find its litter box or bathroom area. New pets need time to adjust to all the new sights, sounds and smells. Introduce them to the family routines gradually.

Pets kept outside in winter need a thick insulation of hay in their doghouses or hutches. Water supplies will have to be replenished several times a day in frigid weather.

“There’s a lot of responsibility involved in taking care of pets properly,” Kiblinger said. “What we get back from them is well more than worth it, but if you’re giving a pet as a gift, be sure whoever receives it will give it the best possible care.”

— E-mail:

bdavis@register-herald.com