How to Choose the Best Pet's Name

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How to Choose the Best Pet's Name
The name you give your pet says a lot about you as an individual. Sometimes, the choice can be overwhelming since there really are hundreds of thousands of possible names from which to choose.

The most popular name for a dog or cat is "Max," according to Veterinary Pet Insurance, which analyzed the pets' names in its database of 450,000 insured animals. Other popular names include Molly, Buddy, Lucy and Tigger, all of which are a far cry from what were once traditional names, such as Rover and Fluffy.

Pet naming trends are reflecting the humanization of pets as the emotional connection between owners and their animals continues to grow. "When people consider their pet an integral part of the family, they are more inclined to pick a human name for it," says Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chief veterinary officer for Veterinary Pet Insurance. "The prevalence of pets with human names clearly reflects the growing human-animal bond."

5 tips for choosing a name for a new pet:

Keep it simple. Pick a name that your pet will easily recognize.
When you get a new pet, don't name him immediately. Wait a few days. It might be a good idea to observe your new four-legged friend's behavior to find the name best suited for his personality. You may not want to name your new puppy "Bounce" if he doesn't bounce or a new kitten "Meow" if she's not very vocal.
The best names are short names. For example, it may be easier to get your dog's attention with a name like "Spot" versus "Princess Dandelion III."
Make it appropriate. Your pet is going to go through her life with her new name, and as a pet owner you'll be saying this name hundreds--if not thousands of times--throughout her lifetime. Choose a name you'll feel comfortable using in public.
Remember that the name you choose lets others know how you feel about your pet.

(Source: Veterinary Pet Insurance)
--From the Editors at Netscape