Questions to ask about pets

An animal cannot tell you its history, so the questions go to the people around it. These sets cover adopting or buying a dog, cat or horse and choosing a vet, trainer, walker or sitter. Others are for sitters meeting an owner, for talking with pet owners, and for remembering a pet that has died.

31 sets · 1,320 questions · each with a note on why

A few to start with

Can I see where your adult dogs sleep and exercise, including the ones that are no longer bred?
The retired dogs and the old ones show how this breeder treats an animal that no longer earns anything. Clean bedding, fresh water, trimmed nails and dogs that come to the gate wagging count for more than a tidy front room. If part of the property is off limits, ask why; keeping germs out of the whelping room is a fair reason, and it only covers one room.
From: Questions to Ask a Dog Breeder
Who looks after your dog when you are on vacation or out sick?
It shows how tied together the two are. Some dogs stay with the family, some go to a kennel the department approves, and a handler will often say the dog does not work with anyone else in the meantime. Leave room for the story of how the dog greets them when they get back.
From: Questions to Ask About Police Dogs
Given her breed and her history, what is she prone to?
Some breeds carry known heart or kidney conditions, and a cat who lived outside may have infections or a lasting anxiety about food. Knowing the tendency tells you what to screen for, and roughly when to start.
From: Questions to Ask About Cats
Should I bring a stool sample, and what will you test it for?
Raise this when you book, so you arrive with a sample fresh enough for the clinic to use. Many vets test young puppies for intestinal parasites even after a breeder has dewormed them, and the result can change which medicine he gets. Ask whether one clear sample settles it or they like to test again later.
From: Questions to Ask a Vet About a New Puppy
How big are the parents, and how big do you expect this one to get?
The mother standing in front of you is the best evidence there is, and with an unknown father any adult weight is an estimate. If your lease or your car has a size limit, plan for the top of the range and not the middle.
From: Questions to Ask When Buying a Puppy on Craigslist
What would you do if he got out of the house?
Listen for a sequence: search the immediate area, call you, contact the local shelters and the microchip database, post locally. Sitters who have thought about escapes usually also mention how they will manage doors and gates to prevent one.
From: Questions to Ask a Pet Sitter

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