insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 07 - September 2015 | Page 61

long as they have toys to play with and can
have access to fresh air (especially cats and
larger caged animals such as rabbits). Of
course, if you want to take them for a walk,
you can do; it is possible to purchase leads
for cats and rabbits! Smaller rodents, rabbits,
and guinea pigs are great first pets for children
as well – they are easy to handle, easy to
feed, and easy to keep clean, so little ones
can learn how to be responsible pet owners
by looking after them.
The more time you have available to care for
a pet, the more choice you have when it
comes to getting one. Those with the time
to walk a dog at least once (if not twice) a
day (a task that can take one to two hours
and must be done whatever the weather)
could certainly consider making one part of
the family. Although it’s not just about the
time you have to commit to your animal –
dogs need more room than any of the other
creatures mentioned so far, and you will need
a garden or outside space where they can
exercise. Dogs may also need to be taken
to obedience classes, and they can’t be left
at home for too long alone, unlike many other
pets. The great thing about dogs, though, is
that there are so many different breeds that
there's sure to be one that suits your

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circumstances, the size of your garden, and
how much time you have for grooming –
some dogs’ fur can become extremely matted
when not brushed regularly. If you like to
travel, then dogs may not be the ideal pet
for you – unless you can take them with you
wherever you go. Travelling abroad means
that you will need to ask someone to take
care of your dog, or put him or her into
kennels for the duration of your trip. This can
become very expensive, and some dogs
don’t react well to being away from their
owners.
For those who really want to devote time and
money to a pet, a horse might be the answer.
You don’t even have to have acres of
paddock or own a field since you can stable
your pet elsewhere. Horses need a lot of
care and attention, and will require many
hours of your time each day unless you pay
someone to look after your equine friend for
you. If you do have plenty of space, and you
can devote the time needed to look after
them, you might want to consider something
like a pig or a goat. Different, interesting, and
perfectly capable of offering love and affection,
these farm animals need constant care and
their food bills really stack up each month –
so definitely not something to rush into.