ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT GETTING A PET?

13 Things Pet Stores Won't Tell You By Michelle crouch 

1 Yes, that guinea pig or hamster is relatively inexpensive, but if you buy a $20 animal, we know you will probably spend another $100 on the cage or tank, grooming tools, food, bed, toys, and treats-plus you'll be back every month to restock. 2 Animals pee and poop in our store all the time-that's why all the products on our lower shelves are sealed in plastic! We don't mind-as long as you tell us. You wouldn't believe how many people let their pets make a mess and just keep walking. 3 It's true: You may find lower prices for pet food in big-box stores or online (though beware of shipping fees that hike up the price). But most of us have great sales and loyalty programs, and many stores (including PetSmart) will match prices for identical products. 4 Do as we say, not as we do. Many cages and tanks in stores are overcrowded or smaller than what we recommend. We justify this because the animals are small when we get them and don't stay with us for long. 5 Unless your dog or cat has allergies or a medical condition, it probably doesn't need a premium, higher-priced pet food. If you truly want to ensure your pet's long-term health, focus more on how much you feed it (and keeping it at a healthy weight) and less on the label. 6 Don't handle your small animal (hamster, bird, etc.) for a few days after you get it home. Give it time to adjust to its new environment. 7 If we sell puppies, chances are they came from a puppy mill, even if we say our animals come from "USDA-certified" breeders. (USDA standards are minimal, and the department rarely cites violations, according to a 2010 review by its Office of Inspector General.) About half of the 2 million puppies bred in mills are sold in pet stores, according to the Humane Society of the United States. 8 Animals do escape. When our juvenile ball python got out, it took us five hours to find it and coax it back into its cage­-while the store was open. Of course, we didn't speak a word of that to our customers. 9 Don't be surprised if the pet we sold you has parasites, a respiratory infection, or a more serious disease. Animals often won't show symptoms until you get them home. Many states have "lemon laws" to protect owners, and some stores have warranties or return policies. So it's a good idea to get your animal checked out by a vet right away ... 10... But maybe not by one of ours. Some vets who are contracted to work with pet-store chains (or even offer free exams at the pet shop) may be hesitant to point out health issues because they don't want to lose business from the store. 11 Our employees might tell you that this animal is the sweetest or that one is the most playful, but keep in mind there's a lot of turnover and most stores have weekly or monthly sales goals. Take what the staff says with a grain of salt, and interact with the animal yourself. 12 Want to save money on food or bedding? Ask us for a bulk discount. Some of us will give you a deal, especially if you're a regular. 13 Please don't look at the rats with disgust. They have great attitudes, love interaction, and really bond with their owners. They're one of the best small pets we carry.