Q: I have heard a lot of stories about buying pets from a pet store. Do you think it's ok? A: Let me start by telling you a little about animals in pet stores. Most of these puppies and kittens come from vendors who have sold them to the pet store. These vendors can be companies that act as "middle men" to bring breeders and pet stores together or may be individual breeders themselves. Puppies and kittens typically come from all over the country. So, the puppy that you buy in New Hampshire may have been born in Missouri. These animals are considered pet quality not show quality. Pet quality means that their appearance has some blemish that would prevent them from winning top honors in a dog or cat show. It does not mean that they are sick. Most of these pets have been examined by at least two veterinarians before you purchase them. In addition, most pet stores recommend that you have them examined by a veterinarian of your choice. If there is a problem, you can usually get another animal or have yours' treated at no cost to you.
The advantage of buying from a local breeder is that you can check out relatives for longevity, temperament, etc. It would be hard to do this when purchasing from a pet store. However, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a healthy animal from a pet store. Look at the environment. Is the cage free of excrement and clean? Is there plenty of clean water? Are the eyes bright and free of discharge? Are there any pets on display coughing and sneezing?
Problems start in overcrowded facilities that are not clean enough and get worse during transportation. Long car and plane rides in crowded conditions increase stress. Young puppies become more susceptible to bacteria and viruses because their immune systems are stressed. I have treated a lot of puppies that come from crowded conditions for upper respiratory infections, like canine cough. Kittens are very susceptible to the same type of problems. Fortunately, they usually get better with a little medication and a lot of "TLC".
Good luck..... The decision to care for a pet is a big one. Don't forget to check out local breeders, animal shelters and humane societies for your new companion. Their are many unwanted pets looking for just the right home. We would be happy to give you the names of local breeders and animal adoption agencies.
Mark W. Richards, MS, PhD, DVM