Feature

The Top Pets of Oakdale High School

Where do your pets rank?

Kylie Summers, Writer

November 20, 2023

Oakdale Senior McKenzie Mollica took a picture of her dog snuggled up on a rainy day.

Pets are found in many households around the world.

As of 2023, 66% of U.S. households or 86.9 million homes have pets in their household. But which pet is the best? Find out below what the Oakdale student population thinks!

The top pets of Oakdale High School

Kylie Summers, Writer

1) Cats

Kylie Summers’ kitten, Cookie Monster, sleeps on her side on Summer’s bed. (Kylie Summers)

This may be shocking, but pets can be loyal at times, and they can help with stress and anxiety that their owners may have. They are also independent; some love to cuddle with you while others may not. “Cats can be selective when it comes to their special human to love,” according to Sheba’s website, a United Kingdom based cat food company,

This choice is based on whether the cats bonded with their owners as a kitten, and how much time the owners take to understand how the cats communicate. These reasons make a cat a good pet to have.

Cats mainly need to be fed if the owner doesn’t really want a bond with them; on the other hand, the owner wants more of a shadow that would follow you everywhere and is more vocal when you are around than start a bond when they are very little.

Cats also need to be groomed: ¨Frequent brushing helps keep your cat’s coat clean, reduces the amount of shedding and cuts down on the incidence of hairballs, ¨ posted on ASPCA website.

Cats need to scratch; they will need scratching posts so they do not dig into the owner’s skin, or any furniture and they would also need a litter box.

2) Dogs

Ella Vogt’s dog Lilly shows off her goofy personality. (Kylie Summers)

Dogs are “loyal and super energetic,” said Senior Ella Vogt.

If you have a lot of time on your hands or have energy, dogs make great pets because they can reduce stress, calm anxiety, relieve depression, and ease loneliness.

¨Dogs need exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Individual exercise needs vary based on breed or breed mix, sex, age and level of health.¨ noted by the ASPCA

The more exercise they get the more likely they will be very hyper when someone comes over and tries to jump on them. They also need to be groomed. This will be good for getting the loose fur on their backs.

3) Ferrets

Ferret smiles while it cleans the fur on its face. (Mandi)

Ferrets make good pets because they are super cuddly and act like goofballs. Many people think that if you get one it would be worth it. They are known to be playful, curious, highly active, and sociable. They are quick learners and can be trained to do tricks. “They’re just like dogs,” noted by Ella Vogt.

¨Ferret cages should be a minimum of 18 x 18 x 30 inches and have two or more levels with stairs or ramps they can climb.¨started by Vet care PET HOSPITAL

They are like cats in a way you do not need to worry about them getting bored. They will find something to do and make a mess and sneak things. One thing they need is to clean them as they have an odor.

4) Snakes

A corn snake proudly shows off its cool patterns. (Kylie Summers)

Snakes can make good pets as well. They can show affection by rubbing their head against the object they’re trying to be affectionate towards and by wrapping themselves around your arms and legs. All snakes are different, so you choose which one would fit you the best.

Snakes need cages. A ball python is a big snake and needs a terrarium that is at least 40 gallons or 150 liters or not larger. Corn snakes and milk snakes, on the other hand, might only need a 20-gallon or 75 liters,¨ started by PetSmart website.

¨Under-tank heating pads are the preferred method of delivering the heat as opposed to overhead habitat bulbs, which can stress the snake. Be sure to warm only one side of the tank to give your snake a choice of microclimates and keep a thermometer on each side of the habitat to monitor the warm and cool temperature.¨

Different snakes prefer different temperatures. So before petting one, research what the snake would need to care for them right.

5) Guinea Pigs

Kylie Summers’ guinea pig, Zippy, watches over the dogs. (Kylie)

Guinea pigs can also make great pets. They are like cats with less work than dogs. These cuddly pets love to be on their human’s laps. Unlike many pets, you need to gain their trust which helps them care more about you.

They need ¨24” wide x 24” long and at minimum 15” high. For two or more guinea pigs, a minimum 24” x 36” floor size is recommended. Add a small house inside the cage so the guinea pig has a private refuge when stressed or tired. This can be a small cardboard box or a commercially produced house available at your local pet store Animal humane society website.

Pets are seen to have a variety of benefits for both he animal and their owner. It’s just a matter of finding the right animal for the right person.

Donate to The Oakdale Post

$150

$400

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Oakdale High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributors

Kylie Summers, Writer

Kylie is a senior. She likes to play with her kitten, cookie and do art and often looks around and thinking as time passes , and she hopes to become a vet.

McKenzie Mollica, Senior Editor-In-Chief

McKenzie Mollica is a senior, is always positive, and never stops talking. She was crowned Miss Frederick's Teen 2023, in March 2023. When she's not writing, she's usually making Tik Toks, reading, or hanging out with friends.