Why You Should Never Buy a Pet From a Pet Shop
Buying your new pet from a store is not necessarily the best option, as conditions are often poor and animals are often crowded together. In addition, pet stores often fail to socialize their puppies properly. Listed below are some reasons why you should never buy a pet from a store:
Conditions at pet shops are often inadequate
There are many reasons why conditions at pet stores are often inadequate. Small animals are often kept in dirty, wire bottomed cages, while puppies are crammed into a small space with little room for movement. Fish are kept in tiny, unhygienic tanks. And exotic birds are often kept in cages that are too small for their needs. In fact, the conditions for both the animals and the people who visit the store are often deplorable.
The federal Animal Welfare Act does not cover most animals sold in pet stores. While some states do have laws regulating retail animal care, these laws vary widely. So, what might seem cruel to us may not be illegal in other states. The American Pet Products Institute (API) undercover investigation in 2005 found many signs of illness, injury, or neglect among animals in pet shops. More than half of the animals were suffering from obvious psychological distress.
The animals in pet shops often receive inadequate veterinary care, which could cost more than their commercial value. As a result, pet shops often sell sick, injured, or pregnant animals to the public. This causes even more financial burdens for pet owners. Furthermore, the animals in pet shops are often kept in poor sanitary conditions, which means they may have infectious diseases. And, in some cases, they are killed in an inhumane way. Regardless of the reason, these conditions are unacceptable for our animals. Fortunately, it's not impossible to change the conditions at pet stores and get your new friend a better home.
The inspector may issue a warning or time frame for the shop to rectify problems. If the shop fails to comply, the inspector may suspend its license. If it does, the owner will be required to make improvements. In such a case, the license of the shop may be revoked. This could lead to serious consequences. But, the process is not as simple as it seems. In the meantime, these inspectors are working to protect the public and ensure the health and safety of our pets.
Another issue with pet shops is that the animals are not always healthy. Puppy mills are notorious for inbreeding, which causes many animals to be ill or not socialized at all. And a majority of dogs sold in pet shops are bred in puppy mills. Besides poor conditions, most puppy mills are unsanitary and have no proper food. That means they are often unable to survive in the wild.
Consumer protection laws also require pet dealers to provide information about animals, including the species and habitats they normally live in. They must also provide information about the full growth potential of a pet as an adult. Lastly, dealers must provide information about the importance of responsible pet ownership and how to register a pet. These steps will go a long way towards reducing animal suffering. But the pet industry must do more to ensure that customers are happy with their purchases.
Poor socialization of pet store puppies
It's easy to see why pet store puppies are so unsociable. They spend most of their lives in cages, forced to use the same area as food and play. These puppies have little or no socialization, and many suffer from illnesses that are preventable. Some of these health issues include neurological disorders, hip dysplasia, blood disorders, and Canine Parvovirus. They're also deprived of proper socialization, and often separated from their mothers at an early age. Consequently, these dogs develop a lifelong fear of humans.
The problem of poor socialization in pet store puppies is particularly prevalent among well-informed individuals who buy their pets from breeders, rather than from pet stores. As a result, pet store owners may not have as much knowledge as breeders and are hesitant to help owners learn the basics of raising a dog. In one study, 21% of pet store puppies were aggressive towards the study owners, compared to 10% of those acquired from breeders.
These studies show that puppies who had been exposed to a new dog or person were more likely to exhibit separation-related behaviors than those who had never been exposed to an unfamiliar person or dog. These dogs were also reported as being less trainable. However, further research is necessary to understand the specific trajectories of these behaviors. The authors recommend that responsible breeders offer a variety of socialization opportunities to their puppies.
The problem with pet store puppies is that they are separated from their litters at an early age. Responsible breeders keep their puppies with their littermates until they reach eight weeks old. Furthermore, these puppies will not be placed in small cages. These puppies will also have little opportunity to socialize naturally with people because they have been separated from their mothers for so long. This prevents them from developing important canine skills. So, if you are thinking about purchasing a puppy from a pet store, don't go ahead and buy one now.
A puppy's brain is like a tiny sponge during its early development. Everything they see and experience will be stored in their brains. Eventually, they will learn to accept everything they see as normal. That's why they'll grow up to be tolerant of things like lawnmowers, crying babies, and men with beards. These experiences will have a profound effect on their growth and development.
To prevent this from happening, you should take baby steps and only interact with the puppy when it shows interest. First, start by touching it from the side or under the chin. Dogs tend to dislike head pets and should be petted with the side of their body. You can also allow the puppy to greet you off leash if it is comfortable and you are confident. Make sure that children present are calm. You should make sure that your puppy doesn't feel overwhelmed by all the new people he is meeting.
In addition to poor socialization, pet store puppies may also have been bred by unreputable breeders. Puppy mill dogs are generally raised in horrible conditions, receiving little human interaction and not being socialized properly. This lack of socialization leads to unhealthy traits in the puppies. Then, they may have been exposed to diseases that can cause genetic problems. As a result, they are prone to behavioral problems like running away, mounting, and going to the bathroom inside the house.
As a result, puppy socialization is essential for preventing problems like aggression and fear. This period begins at three to twelve weeks of age, and the results of socialization are often long-lasting. In addition to proper socialization, the puppies also receive a high-quality diet and life-stage nutrition. This helps them develop neuronal pathways and prevent problem behaviors in adulthood. While pet store puppies are usually tame, they can still develop fearful behaviors.
While it's true that puppy socialization in a pet store can be beneficial, the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior recommends that you take your puppy to a real pet shop or shelter to socialize it. If you're buying a puppy from a store, be sure to keep it in its cart until it's fully vaccinated. Even then, don't wait for training to start!
By Hanife
