People taking on a pet for the first time do not always understand the expenses that can be involved in keeping them. That is why it's important to consider pet insurance and whether it's insurance for cats or dogs, you will want the most suitable policy for your pet.

When choosing a pet the first thing to think about is: is it right for you? A lot of people like the idea of a dog, but can you be sure to take it out for a long walk in the morning and also at night? If you work during the day, it may not like being left alone. It may be more suitable to have a less demanding pet.

When owning a dog you will need to consider how much exercise it is likely to need. Training is important from an early age, as is looking for signs of illness. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs under his fur - but only his ribs, or he is too underweight. The belly should not sag; the ears should be clean and shouldn't smell, the eyes should be bright and clear and the dog shouldn't mind light. The nose should be clean, and bad breath can be a sign of organic illness.

Cats are more independent but then you may not be able to detect the signs of illness as easily as you would if you had a dog. Again, you should be able to feel just the ribs through the fur, and ears should be clean. If the ears have white tips, think about putting sun cream on when it's bright - burning does happen and it can be painful. A runny nose tells you your cat might have flu.

The skin may be naturally pink or black, and it shouldn't show signs of dandruff, bald patches or sores. It is normal for cats to vomit hair or grass occasionally, but if they do it persistently it can be worth visiting the vet.

Overall, if your animal seems happy and healthy, that is probably how it feels, but consult your vet if you are at all worried.

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